You’ve been thinking for years of making some changes, finally you’ve summed up your nerve to get some cosmetic surgery done, but you can’t pay the full amount immediately. Years ago banks would never lend you money or you would get your claim turned down by health insurance since it would easily be classified as a non essential procedure. You need to look at options and find out what exactly you are paying for anyway. Potential patients who don’t take the time to investigate cosmetic surgery financing are setting themselves up for future anxiety and frustration.
Your funds go to paying the cosmetic surgeon, the operating room, and depending on the procedure you want to have performed, anesthesia and implants (Breast implants, cheek and chin implants and injectables like botox, and collagen).
Why do Insurance companies turn down requests for Cosmetic Surgery Financing?
Depending on your procedure, implants, and follow up consultation the range of prices is significant. Your cost for procedure could fluctuate between $2,500 for liposuction to the neck or face to 25,000 or more for a lower body lift. Because most cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are not covered by health insurance, cosmetic surgery financing is often the only means by which some can afford the more costly procedures.
Depending on the type of procedure you are looking to have done insurance companies will have to rate your request for cosmetic surgery financing. While medical plans will cover operations, most cases of cosmetic work are classified as non essential. The insurance adjusters want to know if this is directly going to impact your health. A procedure for reconstructive breast surgery after a mastectomy, or gastric bypass if you are obese would be covered; however your insurance provider will turn down requests for cosmetic procedures because they are regarded as elective surgeries. They are procedures that are taken not to prolong your life but one where you are beautifying yourself.
Cosmetic Surgery Financing and Your Insurance Company
In order to be prepared for your decision for cosmetic surgery financing you will have to investigate what will be covered, what won’t and your options for payment.
There are a large amount of gray areas for coverage for health insurance companies that sometimes require special consideration by an insurance carrier. Some of these cases will be assessed on a patient by patient base. For example, eyelid surgery is normally performed to achieve cosmetic improvement but may be covered if the eyelids are drooping severely and obscuring a patient’s vision, thus covered for insurance. Also nose surgery may be covered by health insurance if it will correct a defect that causes breathing difficulties.
Cosmetic Surgery Financing Payment Options
When you consult your plastic surgeon for the first time, bring both your health care card and health insurance information. It’s likely that your surgeon will help you determine your options.
Many physicians have worked to make access to plastic surgery financing more convenient for their patients, don’t forget what’s good for you, is good for their business. Some plastic surgeons accept a variety of options to help with cosmetic surgery financing. Most practices will accept major credit cards or offer cosmetic surgery financing programs that allow patients to make monthly payments or even offer a cosmetic surgery savings plan. Ask your surgeon’s office staff if such programs are available.
Another option available to you is online credit lenders. By searching online you have the choice of companies competing for your cosmetic surgery financing business. These companies have webpages that will ask you questions to determine your eligibility and approve your loan immediately.
It doesn’t matter what form of financing you will be purchasing, it’s always advisable to read the fine print. Some companies offer you low monthly payments but will slide over little details like the interest rate or the length of the loan. You may also consider applying for a low rate personal loan or home equity line of credit or perhaps just putting it on a credit card if you have a low monthly rate.
Whichever road you choose for your procedure it’s always best to check on your financing options.