Don't
be looking for the Dupont Company sales rep the next time you visit a Plastic
Surgeon's office because, despite popular belief, there's no "Plastic" in
Plastic Surgery. The name is taken from the Greek word "plastikos" which means
to "mold or shape."
Initially plastic surgery procedures were limited to facial and body
reconstruction caused by accidents, trauma, illness or birth defects. As people began to
see the purely cosmetic possibilities, many surgeons expanded their services to include
facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), breast augmentation and liposuction.
It's important to know the difference between plastic surgery and
cosmetic surgery, especially if you're planning on having your insurance company foot the
bill for your procedure.
Cosmetic surgery is
performed solely to improve a person's outward physical appearance and self-esteem by
correcting naturally occurring conditions that the patient is unhappy with. Cosmetic
surgery may be performed by either a Plastic Surgeon or a Cosmetic Surgeon. Cosmetic
surgery is generally not covered by health insurance.
Reconstructive plastic surgery
is performed to correct or reduce the effects of congenital defects, accidental trauma
injury, infections, tumors, and other health-related conditions. It's primary purpose is
rarely to simply improve appearance except for extreme cases involving major facial or
bodily damage resulting from automobile accidents, etc. Plastic Surgery may only be
performed by a Plastic Surgeon.
In most cases insurance does pay for plastic surgery although there are
some cases where your claim may be reduced or denied completely. That's why it is always
important to coordinate the planned procedure with your health insurance provider BEFORE
you get the procedure.
Often times the difference between whether or not your insurance
company will cover the bill is the REASON for the procedure. If, for example, you are
having your nose reshaped because you're unhappy with your profile -- no deal. You're on
your own. However, get that same nose job because your doctor has diagnosed a chronic
breathing problem that results in the potentially dangerous condition known as "Sleep
Apnea" and you could end up with a new nose courtesy of your health insurance
provider!
If you are planning to visit a Plastic
Surgeon, keep the following items in mind:
Your plastic surgeon should be "Board Certified" by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery;
If your doctor will be using anesthesia then make sure that only a
licensed Anesthesiologist administers the medicine and make sure that the facility where
the procedure is being performed is accredited by at least one of the following
organizations:
- American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities(AAAASF)
- Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)
- Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
Although making sure that all of these certifications are present is no
guarantee of a trouble-free experience, NOT having these certifications means that both
the doctor performing plastic surgery, as well as the people who run the facility, have a
serious lack of regard for your health and well being! You should NEVER use an uncertified
plastic surgeon or facility. The risk is simply not worth it.
