Does Insurance Ever Cover Diastasis Recti Repair?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Diastasis recti repair is not covered by insurance

and cannot be submitted to Medicare. The repair can be submitted for insurance coverage, so you will have part cosmetic, part insurance for billing purposes. Ask ASPS for a list of board certified plastic surgeons near you.

Is diastasis recti surgery ever covered by insurance?

Many women suffer from diastasis recti after pregnancy. It is a muscular surgical repair that is

almost never covered by insurance for women

, though it is often covered for men.

Is diastasis recti repair medically necessary?

Repair of diastasis recti is considered cosmetic and

not medically necessary

.

Will insurance cover a tummy tuck for diastasis recti?

Diastasis recti surgery is

sometimes covered by some insurance companies but is often not covered

. Diastasis Recti repair, despite the similarity to (and often coinciding with) a hernia, is essentially the same procedure as a tummy tuck. For this reason, it is often NOT covered by insurance.

Is abdominal wall reconstruction covered by insurance?


Most major insurance companies will cover ventral hernia repair

. Occasionally, ventral hernia repair may be combined with an abdominal wall contouring procedure, such as a vertical abdominoplasty or liposuction. In this case, the ventral hernia repair is covered by insurance while the abdominal wall portion is not.

What kind of doctor does diastasis recti surgery?

During the procedure, the midline connective tissue is shortened and reinforced and the abdominal muscles are positioned appropriately. Diastasis recti repair is usually performed by a

general surgeon

to strengthen a hernia repair and decrease hernia recurrence.

Can diastasis recti be fixed after 20 years?


It's never too late to repair your diastasis recti

. With the proper exercises, you can fix your ab separation years after you've delivered your last baby.

Does insurance cover tummy tuck after pregnancy?

Will insurance cover tummy tucks?

Insurance does not typically pay for a tummy tuck

, though it may pay for a panniculectomy (removing an overhanging “apron” of lower abdominal skin) if you meet specific criteria laid out by your specific insurance plan.

What is severe diastasis recti?

If you feel a gap of at least two finger widths between the muscles as they contract, you have a diastasis.

A gap as wide as four or five fingers

is considered severe.

Does insurance cover skin removal after weight loss?

Though heavy, excess skin left behind after weight loss can be considered a medical condition due to discomfort and increased risk for skin conditions,

most insurance providers do not cover body lift surgery

.

Does insurance cover tummy tuck for back pain?

Tummy tuck surgery may also be useful in treating chronic back pain brought about by weight issues. Despite all of these benefits however,

abdominoplasty is not covered by insurance

.

Is a Panniculectomy covered by insurance?

Cost. A panniculectomy is more expensive than a tummy tuck, but

it's often covered by medical insurance

. The cost can range from $8,000 to $15,000, plus anesthesia and other extras.

How can I get insurance to cover diastasis recti?


Diastasis recti repair is not covered by insurance

and cannot be submitted to Medicare. The hernia repair can be submitted for insurance coverage, so you will have part cosmetic, part insurance for billing purposes. Ask ASPS for a list of board certified plastic surgeons near you.

How do you fix severe diastasis recti?

  1. Exercise. The good news is there are exercises, that can help heal Diastasis Recti. …
  2. Surgery. Similar to a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), Diastasis Recti surgery involves bringing the separated muscles back together. …
  3. EmSculpt.

Does CT scan show diastasis recti?

Diastasis Recti can typically be diagnosed by a physical examination, but

can also be seen via ultrasound or CT scan if necessary

.

Is a hernia covered by insurance?

Proof of Pain or Discomfort


Most insurers cover hernia surgery as long as it's deemed medically necessary

. For this, you may need to provide proof of pain or discomfort so that your insurers cover your surgery or Medicare. Some of the symptoms include: Bulging around a hernia.

Can a plastic surgeon do a hernia repair?

If it is a true hernia, a more detailed repair of the defect may be needed.

Many qualified plastic surgeons are very capable of this

, but your plastic surgeon may prefer to involve a general surgeon.

What is the difference between ventral hernia and Diastasis Recti?

A diastasis is the thinning and weakening of the connective tissue (linea alba) that connects the left and right sides of the rectus abdominis muscle (6-pack muscle). A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or piece of tissue from its normally contained space.

How painful is diastasis recti surgery?

Since diastasis recti surgery is on your muscles,

they'll probably be sore for a while

. Your abdomen may feel taut for a week or so, especially if you had the skin tightened. You might also have some trouble standing up straight. It might hurt when you cough or laugh.

Can a plastic surgeon fix diastasis recti?

By placing permanent internal sutures in the fascia to close the separation,

a plastic surgeon can repair a diastasis recti

to restore a firmer, flatter abdominal shape. This often also alleviates secondary issues such as back pain, hernia or stress incontinence.

Will losing weight help diastasis recti?


Weight loss may improve the appearance of the diastasis in patients who are overweight

, and exercise may help strengthen the supporting abdominal muscles.

Can diastasis recti get worse over time?



When this action is repeated forcefully and frequently, the degree of separation can actually worsen

,” says Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Beverly Hills.

What happens if diastasis recti goes untreated?

If left untreated, diastasis recti can potentially lead to

poor core stabilization, pelvic floor dysfunction, and back or pelvic pain

.

Can diastasis recti last for years?

And it's quite common.

Last year, a study from Norway reported about a third of moms end up with diastasis recti a year after giving birth

. “This is such a ubiquitous issue,” says Dr.

Can I get a tummy tuck during C-section?


Most doctors strongly advise against combining a tummy tuck with a C-section

, as your uterus is still undergoing dramatic size changes in the weeks after childbirth.

Can you get a hysterectomy and tummy tuck at the same time?

A combination of both procedures is commonly perform when the patient health condition allows it.

You could have had both of them, hysterectomy and Tummy Tuck, at the same time.

Can you get a tummy tuck if you had ac section?

While

tummy tucks after C-Sections are perfectly safe, you do have to wait a bit before undergoing the elective plastic surgery procedure

. Dr. Frank recommends that you wait 6-12 months after your C-Section to ensure that you have properly healed from that surgery.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.