Breast Reduction Insurance Information
At Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery, a breast reduction in Pensacola, FL, can be scheduled as a cosmetic procedure, which means you can undergo surgery according to your timetable and without meeting the stringent conditions required by insurance companies to cover your breast reduction surgery.
Several requirements must be met for insurance to cover the cost of a breast reduction.
(Drs. Butler and Leveque perform insurance-based breast reductions. Dr. Patterson only performs breast reductions as a cosmetic procedure.)
Breast Reduction Requirements
If you plan to use insurance for your breast reduction, please have your primary care provider fax us a referral at 850-476-1948. We cannot schedule an insurance-based consultation for you without a referral from your primary care provider.
The referral needs to include the following*:
- Copy of the front and back of your insurance card
- Your height, weight, and BMI (Body Mass Index)
- Your nicotine status
- Thorough documentation of symptoms caused by large breasts (like neck and back pain)
- Steps you have taken to relieve symptoms before considering surgery
- Current mammogram (regardless of age)
This information must be sent in writing BEFORE we can schedule a consultation appointment for you. We will contact you once that referral is received to start the process.
Benefits of a Breast Reduction
The benefits of a breast reduction are numerous, and they can vary from person to person. These benefits include:
- Back pain relief
- Neck pain relief
- Improved ability to fit into clothes
- Improved self-esteem
*Your insurance company may have additional conditions that must be met to have them cover the surgery. Please get in touch with your insurance carrier to get the exact criteria they require.
Once we get your referral, our office will contact you for a pre-screening phone consultation to ensure you are a candidate for the surgery. If you are a candidate, we will schedule a surgical consultation appointment with either Dr. Leveque or Dr. Butler. Please be aware that all the doctors are booking consultation appointments several months out. It may be more than six months before we can schedule a consultation appointment for you.
Please be aware that ALL breast reduction patients, whether done as a cosmetic-based reduction or an insurance-based reduction, MUST meet these two important conditions to have surgery:
- BMI (Body Mass Index) of under 35
- NO NICOTINE USE OF ANY KIND (this includes cigarettes, patches, gum, vape, smokeless, and chewing tobacco.) A nicotine test will be administered at your consultation, pre-operative appointment, and on the day of surgery. A positive test for nicotine may result in the cancellation of your surgery.
If you don’t qualify for an insurance breast reduction or do not want to wait for the approval, you can choose to have it done as a cosmetic procedure.
Cosmetic Breast Reduction FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions that apply if you have your breast reduction done as a COSMETIC PROCEDURE:
Is There a Consultation Fee?
Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery offers in-office and virtual consultations by appointment. There is a $100 consultation fee, which is applied toward the cost of your surgery. You will be given a quote for your surgery at the time of your consultation. This quote is good for six months.
What Is the Breast Reduction Surgery Fee Schedule Like?
A 10% deposit is due when you schedule your surgery. The remainder is due at your pre-operative appointment (approximately two weeks before your surgery date.)
Where Will My Breast Reduction Surgery Be Performed?
Our surgeons can perform surgery at the area facility of your choice. Surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, and you can go home the same day.
Is Financing Available for My Cosmetic Breast Reduction?
Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery works with several companies financing cosmetic surgery. The most popular options are www.CareCredit.com and www.PatientFi.com. They offer several programs, including a 12-month-same-as-cash option to help make your surgery affordable. We also accept plans offered by Alphaeon.com and LendingUSA.com. (Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery has no financial interest in any of these companies.)
Are Discounts Available?
We offer patients having more than one procedure 10% off the surgical fee. This discount applies to return patients, active-duty military personnel, and spouses.
Learn More Today
If you would like to schedule an appointment for a consultation regarding cosmetic breast reduction with Dr. Leveque, Dr. Butler, or Dr. Patterson, please call 850-476-3223. One of our patient care coordinators will be more than happy to assist you.
To schedule an appointment for a consultation regarding insurance-based breast reduction in Pensacola, FL, please first arrange for your primary care provider to fax over their referral at 850-476-1948. We will then contact you to schedule your consultation.
Quick Facts About Breast Reduction
Typical Timing/Age
Patients of any age may be a candidate for breast reduction if they are experiencing symptoms related to excessively large breasts.
Breast Reduction Cost
The price of your breast reduction will depend on the surgical techniques required to achieve your desired results. All costs associated with your breast reduction surgery will be reviewed with you as part of your consultation.
Insurance may cover the cost of a breast reduction, provided that patients meet the criteria. Our office can provide you with information on the insurance criteria.
Problem
Heavy, Large, Pendulous, and/or disproportionate breasts
Goal
Lift, reshape and reduce breast size & weight.
Facility
Surgery Center or Hospital
Preparation
Patients should be at a stable weight and cannot be using any nicotine containing substances. Patients should not be pregnant, breastfeeding or recently postpartum.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia.
Exercise
You should do mild/gentle stretching exercises immediately after breast reduction surgery to prevent your arm and chest muscles from getting tight. Light exercise is ok 1 week after surgery with your new breasts well supported. No arm exercises (other than stretching) for 3 weeks.
Work
Depending on your type of work you can resume light office work as soon as you feel you are able to do so. Most people take about 1 week off of work following a breast reduction.
Bruising
If present, should subside within 1-2 weeks.
Breast Reduction Procedure
Multiple incision patterns and subsequent scar patterns are used, depending on the existing breast size and shape. Some patients may only require a circumvertical (lollipop-shaped) scar in order to achieve the desired size reduction, weight reduction, and lift.
Most breast reduction patients require the addition of a horizontal scar at the bottom of the breast creating an “anchor-shaped” or “inverted T” scar to achieve the necessary reduction and lift. A breast reduction trades heavy and droopy breasts without scars for lighter and lifted breasts with scars.
The most critical portion of the procedure are the preoperative markings which are made before surgery in the preoperative holding area. A breast reduction involves tailoring the skin envelope and careful re-arrangement of the internal glandular architecture to reduce & reshape the breast tissue while maintaining adequate blood flow to the nipple.
Hospital stay
This is an outpatient surgery. No hospital stay is required.
Assistance
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to care for others or drive a car.
Walking
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
After 48 hours you should remove your dressings and take a shower.
Sex
Wait one week because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period. After one week, sex is ok ONLY if your partner is able resist touching your new breasts. You are the only person allowed to touch your breasts for the six weeks following surgery.
Swelling
Usually peaks around three days and gradually goes away.
Inherent Risks & Complications
Hematoma, Infection, Poor scarring, Tissue necrosis, Need for revision, Complications related to anesthesia.
Related Procedures
Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift
Secondary Breast Surgery
Breast Implant Removal
Before & After Gallery
Procedures are performed by board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, and Dr. Patterson in Pensacola, FL.
Meet Our Team
At Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery, we understand that the selection of a plastic surgeon is an extremely important decision for any prospective patient. We believe communication, education and individualized patient care are the foundation for creating a strong and trusting patient-physician relationship. Our entire staff is absolutely committed to providing compassionate, personalized, individual attention before, during, and after surgery. We work together to deliver the best possible aesthetic outcomes in a setting that embodies the standards and lifestyle you seek.
We Accept Financing
Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery offers a variety of payment options so that your cosmetic surgery will suit your budget. All major credit cards are accepted, and financing plans are available.