What Dermatology Services Will Medicare Not Cover?
Medicare will not cover dermatology services that are not clinically important or life-threatening. Cosmetic procedures are major dermatology services that are not covered by Medicare. Therefore, you are required to pay for any service you receive or seek for other plans that can help you cover the cost.
Some dermatology services that are not covered by Medicare include:
- Rhytidectomy: This is also known as face-lift and it is done mostly on aged people to make them look younger. [3]
- Liposuction: This is a procedure that involves the removal of fats from a particular region in the body, such as the hips or thighs. [4]
- Abdominoplasty: This is a surgical procedure that involves changing the shape of the abdomen.
- Treatment of acne
Conditions that lead to these procedures are not life-threatening. Patients decide to have these procedures mostly to change their looks and appear to be physically attractive. Medicare won’t cover for any of these services.
Some cosmetic procedures, however, are used for the treatment of clinical conditions. These procedures are recommended by your physician and are important when treating some life threatening conditions. Therefore, these procedures are covered by Medicare. Some of these procedures include:
- Surgical procedure which involves the removal of excess skin in the lower part of your abdomen to prevent ulcers in the skin
- Botox injections used in the treatment of neck spasms or overactive bladder
- Rhinoplasty: Surgical procedure needed to change the shape of your nose to allow for normal breathing [5]
All of these procedures are clinically important and are covered by Medicare.