I lost a lot of weight and I now have a lot of loose skin. Will Medicare cover surgery to remove it?
Maybe. For all reconstructive surgeries the key reason for Medicare coverage is medical necessity. Medicare doesn't cover plastic surgery on your nose because you want to change the way it looks, for example.
A panniculectomy, excision of hanging skin from the abdominal area, is considered medically necessary when your doctor can document recurring infections, persistent dermatitis, pain and ulceration or diminished mobility. After bariatric surgery, the patient must maintain a stable weight for at least six months.
Your doctor will document the issues that would make this surgery medically necessary.
