What Surgeries Are Covered by Health Insurance
Surgeries are never a fun time but are something that many of us will need to experience at one time or another. This could be to repair an injury, to deal with a physical abnormality that is causing issues or even to change how you look.
While having private health coverage is a great idea for a variety of reasons and can certainly save you money, it doesn’t guarantee that all surgeries will be covered. The last thing you want is to get surgery and not only have to deal with the recovery, but also paying for it.
With that in mind, this blog post is going to look a little closer at what types of surgeries are covered by health insurance
Medically-Necessary Procedures
As we briefly mentioned earlier, there are a variety of different surgeries that people can elect to have. In general, health insurance will cover surgeries and procedures that are medically necessary. These are generally surgeries that will improve your health, save your life or avoid an illness or disease.
Types of surgeries that are medically necessary include fixing broken bones, dental surgery on impacted wisdom teeth, bypass surgery and many others. These are covered as they are required to preserve your quality of life and keep you healthy and in good shape.
On the other hand, things like getting veneers, getting a facelift, or using Botox likely won’t be covered as they are cosmetic. However, there are some caveats here. Some types of plastic surgery may be medically necessary.
For example, if you go to Dr. Kopelman for a laceration repair from an accident, there is a good chance it might be covered. Of course, every situation is different so be sure to speak with your insurance beforehand to ensure you know whether the procedure you are getting is deemed necessary or not.
It Depends on Your Coverage and Type of Insurance
What is covered for one person might not automatically be covered for another. Each plan is different, and you need to study your healthcare plan to ensure you know what it will cover. Talking to your healthcare provider as well as your insurance provider can help you figure out just what is covered.
Also, think of the costs before and after the procedure, these might not always be covered, even if the surgery itself is. This includes blood work, anesthesia, prescriptions and others. Familiarize yourself with all of the related costs, and do your homework to see what is covered under your current plan.
The Rules and Exceptions Will Change Over Time
Like every industry, healthcare is advancing at a rapid pace. Things are frequently changing and methods, treatments and procedures are also evolving at a rapid pace. Because of this, the rules for what is covered under health insurance is always changing.
Insurance companies are revamping plans and procedures that were once too new or untested to cover, may now be. New research can have groundbreaking results that can allow coverage for a wider variety of services and surgeries. So simply because something wasn’t covered a few years ago, doesn’t mean it automatically is now.
Remember, what is covered by their plan is almost exclusively decided on by your insurance provider. As a result, it is important to do your research and choose wisely to ensure you find the most reputable company who is the best for your needs.
We hope this article has been able to help you learn a little more about the types of surgeries and procedures that are covered by your health insurance plan.
