Medicare paying for lipo treatments?

[burstnbloom]

Here is an update posted on the medicare site after accepting comments on whether facial treatments should be paid for by medicare..thanks!


Date:       July 16, 2009

Benefit Category Determination for Reconstructive Treatments for
Facial Lipodystrophy Syndrome
Lipodystrophy is characterized by abnormal fat distribution in the body. In association with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), there is fat wasting in some areas and increased deposition of fat in other areas. Lipohypertrophy is occurs when there is increased fat deposition in the back, neck, breast, and internal abdominal areas. Lipoatrophy occurs when there is a loss of subcutaneous tissue in the face, arms, legs, and buttocks. When this abnormal fat distribution occurs in the face, it is commonly described as Facial Lipodystrophy Syndrome. Treatment for facial lipodystrophy syndrome may include various approaches to facial contour resolution, such as dermal-fat grafts, fat injections, submalar silicone implants, liquid injectable silicone, polylactic acid injections, collagen, hyaluronic acid fillers, and a biocompatible implant filler consisting of calcium hydroxylapatite.

We have examined whether treatment of FLS in association with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with the approaches described above would be excluded from Medicare coverage under section 1862(a)(10) of the Social Security Act (the Act). We have determined that with respect to treatment occurring through an injection of fat or other substances into the patient's face, this statutory bar does not apply.

With respect to treatment of FLS in association with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) through an injection of fat or other substances into the patient's face, we believe this procedure or service may be included under the benefit categories set forth at section 1861(s)(1) of the Act when performed by a physician, section 1861(s)(2)(A) of the Act when performed incident to a physician's professional service in a physician's office, and section 1861(s)(2)(B) of the Act as a hospital service incident to physicians' services when rendered to hospital outpatients. This may not be an exhaustive list of all applicable Medicare benefit categories for this item or service.
 
 

[burstnbloom]

Anyone out there that has been to get facial treatments for lipo and medicare is paying for it?

[Miss Philicia]

You do realize that you just made four threads about Lipo and Medicare, don't you?

[Ann]

BnB,

I merged two of your threads on the same subject (lipo treatments and medicare) into one thread. It makes information easier to find when it's not spread out all over. I merged one of your three new threads into the already existing thread about the survey.

In future, please try to keep subjects together and not start a new thread with each slightly new thought. Cheers.

Ann

[burstnbloom]

I posted 4 threads...well pardon me for making a mistake..i feel soooo much love on here already...geeessss!

[Ann]

BnB,

It's not a matter of being loved or not, it's a matter of keeping the forums tidy and easier to search and find information. It's nothing personal against you, trust me.

Ann