Eyelid surgery can be a life-changing procedure that has the potential to give a patient a renewed appearance in their eyes and upper facial region. For the right patient, this procedure can give them a totally updated appearance. However, many patients wonder if it is possible to get insurance to pay for eyelid surgery. The answer to this question is, fortunately, yes, but it may take some extra effort on your part or the part of your doctor to convince the insurance company that your case warrants coverage.
Is It Possible to Get Insurance to Pay for Eyelid Surgery?
An individual can get their eyelid surgery covered by insurance, but doing so will require extra effort from the patient. This is due to the fact that insurance companies will only cover eyelid surgeries that they deem medically necessary. An example of a medically necessary eyelid surgery would be one that eliminates severe ptosis that obstructs an individual’s vision.
In order to prove the medical necessity of your surgery, you may need to collect evidence that will convince your insurance provider that the nature of your procedure is truly based on medical necessity. Examples of evidence that could be helpful include photos that represent the medical complications that could be solved with eyelid surgery and a letter from your physician that asserts medical need.
You can talk to your doctor about their ability to assist you with this part of the process. More often than not, your physician will be willing to provide some assistance.
Preparing for Eyelid Surgery
Aside from the task of assembling the necessary evidence to convince your insurance provider that your procedure is medically necessary, there are other things you can do to ensure that your eyelid surgery goes according to plan. Taking these necessary preparations into account can help to minimize any risks you assume by having the surgery:
- Complete an eye exam prior to treatment
- Quit smoking for several weeks up until your procedure
- Get plenty of rest prior to your surgery
- Adjust your intake of any prescription or over-the-counter medications prior to treatment
During your pre-surgical consultation, your physician may have additional advice for you based on your health profile. Be sure to follow their advice to ensure the best results.
Risks of Eyelid Surgery
Part of the reason that it can be challenging to have an eyelid surgery approved by an insurance company is that the surgery itself carries some potential risks and complications. Though the vast majority of eyelid surgery procedures are successful and do not result in complications, patients do assume the following risks when they undergo eyelid surgery:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Bleeding
- Dry eyes
- Loss of vision
- Inability to fully close the eyes
- Abnormal folding
- Discoloration
The potential for the above risks to occur can be exacerbated if you have any underlying health issues. An underlying health issue can also complicate your mission to get your surgery approved. Be sure to discuss with your surgeon whether you are taking on additional risks prior to treatment.
Recovering from Eyelid Surgery
Like most major surgeries, eyelid surgery can entail a moderate or lengthy recovery period. Navigating this recovery period successfully is part of having an overall successful surgery. In general, you should set aside 10 to 14 days following the completion of your surgery to fully recover from your procedure.
Your physician may prescribe some things to assist you with this part of your recovery process, including cold compresses and antibiotic ointment to ease swelling and facilitate healing. In addition, your physician may give you specific instructions for how to navigate your recovery, including information like the following:
- Specific concerns for your surgical site
- When to schedule a follow-up appointment
- How to care for your eyes following the completion of your procedure
- Medications to assist with recovering from your procedure
The Best Available Resource for Eyelid Surgery
Eye Plastic Surgery of Minnesota is a trusted resource for cosmetic eyelid surgery in the Great Lakes region. If you have questions about eyelid surgery, reach out today to schedule an appointment.