Financing Breast Reconstruction

Although there are laws in place that hold insurance companies to certain requirements when it comes to covering the cost of breast reconstruction, the entire cost of the procedure is not always covered. Some pre-surgery testing, as well as post-operative care can result in out-of-pocket expenses. Financing breast reconstruction surgery is an option for patients who can’t afford to pay for breast reconstruction upfront. Financing is offered by many plastic surgeons, as well as outside companies such as CareCredit®.

Financing Breast Reconstruction

The Women’s Health Rights and Cancer Act of 1998 states that group health plans, insurance companies and HMOs that offer coverage for mastectomy must also provide coverage for procedures relating to the mastectomy, including breast reconstruction. While this law has helped many patients deal with the cost of reconstructive surgery, the unfortunate fact is that not everyone has health insurance to cover these costs.

It is important to speak to your surgeon about the cost of breast reconstruction prior to undergoing surgery. This will help you determine an accurate out-of-pocket cost estimation and allow you to plan adequately for the surgery. Before agreeing to any surgery, you should contact your insurance company to find out exactly what they do and do not cover. In addition, speak with the staff at your surgeon’s office to determine what types of financing they offer. Many physicians offer payment plans to help alleviate the burden of the cost of surgery. Another option for financing breast reconstruction surgery is going through a third-party company, such as your local bank, or a credit agency like CareCredit®.

Financing Surgery through CareCredit®

CareCredit® is a healthcare financing program that offers flexible payment options to cover a wide range of health care needs, including the cost of reconstructive breast surgery and other treatments associated with breast reconstruction. Payment plans can be extended to up to 60 months, so a plan can be tailored to almost any budget. In addition, certain plans offer no fees or pre-payment penalties.

Before you Financing Surgery

Just as it is important to understand all aspects of surgery, it is important to understand how you are paying for the procedure. When using programs such as CareCredit®, your credit score and past credit history will affect your interest rate.

Make sure that you are aware of all of the terms of your financing agreement before signing. Some things to be aware of, include:

• What is your interest rate?
• Are there any application fees?
• Are there pre-payment penalties?
• Can you use a co-signer?
• When are you expected to make payments?

Many Patients Want to Know …

How much of the cost should I finance?

It depends. There are a variety of factors that can affect the cost of surgery, including your specific health condition, where you are having surgery, and the experience of the surgeon. In addition, out-of-pocket expenses will vary from patient to patient based on their insurance plan. The only way to figure out how much you should finance is to determine the condition of your own finances, and speak with your surgeon and insurance company about the amount you are expected to pay. Learn more about the general cost of breast reconstruction.