Can an Eyelid Lift Be Covered by Insurance?

Does your face look tired or older than you are? Many people don’t know that the eyes are one of the first places that show signs of aging. Over the years, the delicate skin around your eyes can become puffy, lined, and wrinkled.

However, eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can restore the skin above and below the eyes. Upper or lower eyelid surgery can improve bags under the eyes, drooping eyelids, and extra skin. An eyelid lift can make a subtle but striking difference in the appearance of your face, making it one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the country.

Many patients wonder if and when an eyelid lift can be covered by their health insurance plan. Please keep reading to learn more.

When To Consider Eyelid Surgery

Extra skin or puffiness around your eyes can make you look older and tired, even when you are alert. Age and heredity are major factors in extra skin and fat around the eyelids.

The best candidates for this procedure have puffiness under the bottom eyelid or drooping skin and folds above the eye. In some cases, drooping eyelids can even obstruct your vision. If that’s the case for you, it’s possible the surgery can be paid for by insurance.

When Eyelid Surgery May Be Paid For By Insurance

Sagging eyelids and extra skin are the biggest reasons people consider eyelid surgery. It also can rejuvenate the appearance around your eyes, making you look younger and better rested.

This surgery also can remove extra skin, fat, and muscles from your upper and lower eyelids that lead to bags under your eyes.

Usually, eyelid surgery isn’t covered by insurance because it’s for cosmetic reasons only. However, it may be covered by your insurance if your doctor and insurer consider it a medical necessity.

Functional eyelid surgery eliminates most of the extra skin from your upper eyelid region, making it difficult to see. For people with this problem, the excess tissue over the eyes can make it difficult to read, drive, and do things they enjoy.

What Are The Insurance Requirements For Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Some patients want his plastic surgery procedure because the loose skin can make it hard to see and do everyday tasks. But how can you prove that this surgery is medically necessary?

It depends on the insurance company, but most of them require you to have a vision test by an eye doctor, who also is called an oculoplastic surgeon. If the test shows that your vision is affected, your doctor will take photos to prove the physical issue to your insurance company.

If this evidence is presented to an insurance company, they usually will pay for eyelid surgery. But the best way to find out is to meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon. He or she can perform a physical examination and vision test to determine if you’re a candidate.

How Is An Eyelid Lift Performed?

This procedure can be done on the upper or lower eyelids or both. Based on an evaluation of your facial muscle structure, bone structure, and eyebrow symmetry, your surgeon will determine how much skin, fat, and muscle to remove:

• Your plastic surgeon will put markings on your eyelids to note where extra tissue will be removed above and below the eyes.
• In the upper eyelid, the surgeon will make the incision in the natural folds of your eyelid, rendering the resulting scars almost invisible.
• In the lower eyelid, the surgeon will hide the incision just under the lower eyelashes. If extra fat is removed, the incision may be inside your lower eyelid. Your surgeon may use a laser to tighten the skin of your lower eyelid.
• The surgeon will remove skin, fat, and muscle through the incisions with a scalpel, scissors, or even a laser. Which instruments are used depends on the surgeon.
• Fat from the lower lids may be moved to reduce bags and puffiness under the eyes.
• The surgeon will use sutures or surgical glue on your almost invisible incisions.

This is a complex surgery, so it’s essential to select a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in eyelid lifts.

Recovery Time For Eyelid Surgery

Most patients have a short recovery time after eyelid surgery; you should expect some swelling and bruising for a few days, but they should fade quickly. During the first two days after surgery, using cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medication can make your recovery more comfortable.

While you should avoid strenuous activities, daily walks will keep blood circulating and speed the healing process. Your surgeon will probably remove the bandages over your incisions after a few days.

Most patients can resume their regular activities after 10 days, and you should see your final results after 6-8 weeks.

Eyelid surgery can be done at the same time as a San Antonio facelift, San Antonio brow lift or San Antonio neck lift. If you need them, doing several surgeries at once is more economical, and you only need to go through surgical recovery once.

Request An Eyelid Lift Consultation

Interested in an eyelid lift in San Antonio? Dr. Scott J Farber or Dr. Amita Shah of Hill Country Plastic Surgery can help. They will consult with you for your San Antonio cosmetic procedure today. They’ll go over the options, goals, and more to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for an eyelid lift.

References

Does Insurance Cover Eyelid Surgery? (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.aao.org/eye-health/ask-ophthalmologist-q/does-insurance-cover-eyelid-surgery

Eyelid Surgery Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.medicinenet.com/blepharoplasty__eyelid_surgery/article.htm

Eyelid Surgery Basics. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blepharoplasty/about/pac-20385174#