WHICH COSMETIC SURGERIES DO HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES COVER?

A new nose for the 16th birthday - we Germans are not as crazy as Americans when it comes to cosmetic surgery. But acceptance and the number of beauty surgeries are also increasing for us: According to surgeons' associations, there were ten percent more surgeries in 2017 than in the previous year.

A survey by the market research institute Splendid Research showed that every 15th is planning an operation in the next two years. Most people flirt with liposuction - men and women. However, such interventions cost several thousand euros. Good news: If the beauty surgery is "medically necessary", the health insurance company pays. We have an overview:

breast reduction

Back pain , painfully incisive bra straps or even rashes in the skin fold - a large breast can be a real burden for women. Depending on the size of the breast, a reduction costs between 5000 and 7000 euros. In order for the health insurance to cover the costs, the expert of the Medical Service of the Health Insurance (MDK) must demonstrate which restrictions you have and how an operation would improve them. The chance of assuming costs increases if treatments have already been carried out and certificates have been submitted. Evidence that other measures (gymnastics, weight loss, etc.) have not been successful can be helpful. You should also submit a cost estimate for the surgery from a plastic surgeon - at best not the most expensive.

eyelid Surgery

Drooping eyelids make us look tired and often increase with age. If they obstruct the view, this makes eyelid surgery a medical necessity. The doctor uses an eye field examination to check whether the conditions for an operation exist. This certificate must be part of the application to the MDK, just like photos and a separate written reason for the intervention. Also find a trustworthy surgeon who will explain the operation to you in detail: After all, let yourself be operated on one of her most sensitive organs.

liposuction

We call it riding pants colloquially: Lipedema is a metabolic disorder in which too much fat accumulates on the thighs, sometimes also on the forearms. In the initial stages, lymphatic drainage, compression stockings or other conventional treatments can help. From stage II, experts recommend liposuction, which should normally be paid for by the health insurance. In these cases, however, the health insurance companies repeatedly reject the actions of those affected. Always have your cash register's cancellations handed out in writing if you would like legal assistance. In most cases, lawsuits have been successful.

Rhinoplasty

With a very large or deformed nose, psychological problems can be claimed for an operation. Sometimes, however, the health insurance companies avoid the high costs with psychotherapy. As health insurance companies always take care of nasal surgery for health reasons (e.g. breathlessness), you can combine this with the cosmetic surgery. The costs for anesthesia etc. are then no longer necessary for you, only the aesthetic procedure has to be paid with approx. 1000 to 1500 euros.

Tummy tuck

If a fat apron forms on the abdomen after major weight loss or pregnancy, this can be removed with a tummy tuck. The health insurance company only pays this if there are health problems such as inflammation between the skin flaps, fungal infections or painful friction. All of these symptoms should be certified by the doctor for the application at the cash register or the MDK. Psychological reasons are often not recognized in fat aprons. Important to know: Before a fat apron can be operated on, the weight must be stable for at least six months. This should also be considered when making an application.

ear surgery

Even toddlers suffer from teasing because of their sailing ears. But you can have them put on early, around the age of 6, because then our ears are fully grown. The health insurance company pays until the age of 12 without much discussion, so parents should react quickly here.

However, the health insurance companies only cover the costs of the classic procedure, which is usually carried out under general anesthesia in children and requires longer follow-up treatment. They don't pay for newer, less painful and invasive methods.

Put on your ears without pain

According to estimates, five percent of Germans have protruding ears. Until now, surgery has been associated with pain and longer healing times

The old way

They need an operation of about an hour and a half. The shell is exposed with a cut behind the ear, then the cartilage is thinned out, brought into the correct shape and fixed with sutures. After ten days with a head bandage, the threads are pulled. You wear a headband at night for three weeks.

The Earfold method

Only a local anesthetic is required for the minimally invasive procedure. After a small incision on the auricle edge, one or two staples are placed directly on the cartilage. They give the ear the shape that was already defined in the preliminary discussion by an outside clip. The inserted clip is not removed, but remains in the ear. The whole procedure takes 10 to 20 minutes per implant. No bandage is needed after the procedure. In the rare case of incompatibility, the clips have to be removed. The costs for the new method are not covered by the health insurance and vary depending on the doctor around 2500 €.

Health insurance companies examine the need for a cosmetic surgery

Since the cosmetic surgery mentioned is only paid for by the statutory health insurance if it is considered medically necessary, the person concerned must make an application in any case. In some cases, such as the sail ears, an opinion from the attending doctor is often sufficient. However, a critical assessment by the medical service of the health insurance companies (MDK) is more often requested for beauty surgeries.

In your application, you should describe in detail why the intervention is necessary and how positive it would be for your health. This includes medical reports, evidence of previous treatment, an explanation of the need for the procedure and a realistic estimate from the surgeon in charge. In any case, get multiple opinions and information about risks and alternatives. And let trusted people have their say too. The decision for a cosmetic surgery should always be well thought out.