Medicare for Thigh Lift

The Thigh Lift is one of the most popular surgical and aesthetic procedures for the body. But for many patients the cost of such an operation can be prohibitive. As with other surgical procedures that can undergone for both functional and aesthetic reasons, there are certain rules that must be met in order for your insurance provider to partially or fully cover the costs.

Will my Private Health Insurance Cover the Cost of a Thigh Lift Surgery?

In order to be able to perform a thigh lift operation through your private insurance, it is essential that you meet the requirements that are set out for the Medicare case number.

To find out everything you are interested in regarding the application process to partially cover the cost of this surgery, it is always best to contact your insurer for the best, up-to-date information.

In some cases, you may be granted the right to an Early Release of Super Funds for Thigh Lift surgery. However, note that this process requires compliance with certain government rules, and does not guarantee a fund release, especially in the cases when the surgery is requested for aesthetic reasons.

Why You Might Want a Thigh Lift Surgery

Thigh Lift surgery is often performed on women, usually aged in their 40s and older. The reason for this choice of surgery is the loss of the tightened appearance of the skin of the thighs due to the natural ageing process. However, large and sudden weight loss, or pregnancy can also be the motivating factor for this surgery.

While today there is an abundance of aesthetic flaws that can be covered with makeup or less invasive procedure, such as injectables or lasers, achieving the appearance of smoothed, youthful thighs is not one of those cases that superficial treatments can address.

Diet, large amounts of fluids, regular exercise, or various massages and treatments are simply not enough in some cases. Some patients have an irreparable loss of tissue tone that cannot be smoothed out except by surgical removal of excess tissue.

For women especially, the legs are a symbol of elegance and sex appeal. This is often why an increasing number of women decide to have this operation to lift and tighten the thighs. Increasingly, women also often decide to have buttock lifting surgery at the same time. These two procedures can help to completely transform the overall look of the lower part of the body.

What it is Like to Have a Thigh Lift Surgery

Thigh lift surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic. The sagging tissue from the thighs is removed from the upper side of the thigh to the knee. As well as aesthetic reasons, patients often choose a thigh lift surgery for functional reasons, in order to facilitate and improve their quality of life. For those patients who have experienced a dramatic weight loss, the excess skin on the thighs after losing weight can significantly impact their daily movement.

For this cohort, the excess skin after weight loss can negatively impact the mental state of the patient as it constantly reminds them of the previous state of obesity. The excess skin and tissue can also significantly reduce their regular body functions, including regular daily movement and exercise.

Women who are also left with excess skin after pregnancy can also suffer from a lack of self-confidence and are more prone to depression and introversion post baby.

Do I Qualify for the Medicare Rebate?

To qualify for a rebate for thigh lift surgery from Medicare, the circumstances of your case must meet certain criteria. The Australian Government’s Medicare benefits program contains a list of services that may be subject to rebates. The Medicare Number for Thigh Lift surgery is:
30179 – a procedure that is also known a s Circumferential Lipectomy.

A definition to qualify for a Medicare rebate is based on the circumferential excess of redundant skin and fat. This excess skin is needs to be deemed as complicated by intertrigo or a similar skin condition that risks loss of skin integrity and has failed to respond to three months of conventional (or nonsurgical) treatments. As well, the circumferential of the excess, redundant skin and fat would need to interfere with the activities of daily living. To qualify for the Medicare rebate, your weight needs to be stable for at least six months following significant weight loss prior to the lipectomy.

If you decide to have surgery for health reasons, make sure your doctor gives you a written confirmation. For more information, you can download our Medicare and Health Insurance Guide you can download the Medicare Benefits Scheme information to find out more about the categorization, codes, and conditions for each medical procedure here at: http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/downloads

Can I Claim My Thigh Lift on Medicare? – Medicare for Thigh Reduction