Breast reconstruction plastic surgery may be an appropriate procedure to restore a breast that has been removed due to a mastectomy. The breast surgeon will provide the patient with details on various aspects of this procedure, including its estimated costs.
Many patients will be able to receive insurance coverage for the breast reconstruction surgery under their medical plan.
The patient should discuss her upcoming surgery beforehand with her insurer. She should also seek information from the surgeon regarding the expenses and the medical documentation that will be needed for the insurance coverage process.
Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides breast reconstruction to patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding communities.
Cost Factors
Breast reconstruction surgery costs can differ between practices and even between two patients at the same practice. The following aspects can influence breast reconstruction surgery costs:
Practice Location
The geographical location of the practice can affect the costs of the procedure. The costs of plastic surgery procedures, including breast reconstruction, may be higher at major urban centers and metropolitan cities due to the higher overhead and real estate costs in these areas.
Surgeon’s Charges
The surgeon will charge fees commensurate with their qualifications, experience, training, and recognition in the area of breast surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, patients should choose the best surgeon possible depending on their needs and circumstances. The surgeon’s fee should only be a secondary consideration in this decision.
Surgical Facility Expenses and Anesthesia
The breast reconstruction plastic surgery may be undertaken at an accredited surgical center or a hospital. An anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist will administer the anesthesia. The surgical facility chosen and the skills and experience of the anesthesia provider can impact the overall costs of the procedure.
Type of Technique
Some patients will undergo breast reconstruction surgery with saline or silicone implants while others may require the flap reconstruction techniques.
Both these techniques are sometimes used in combination as well for more complete outcomes. The patient may choose to undergo the reconstructive surgery at the time of the mastectomy or when the healing is complete. All these aspects will impact the total costs of the procedure.
Insurance
Breast reconstruction surgery costs will be fully or partially borne by the insurer in a majority of cases. The patient should ideally understand this facet in detail with the insurer well in advance of the procedure. In addition, the patient should seek information on the documents they may need to file the insurance claim from the surgeon’s office.
In an ideal scenario, the patient should place the insurance claim before the procedure if they have sufficient time to plan for the breast removal and reconstruction. Patients who do not have insurance coverage may consider seeking financing from medical care finance companies.
Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas, and nearby areas for breast reconstruction.
For more information on procedures and treatments provided by board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak please call us to schedule a consultation at 713.322.7265 or click here. Offices in Houston, Texas.
