Understanding Claim Denials in Plastic Surgery

1. Visit our website: Click here Follow us: Understanding Claim Denials in Plastic Surgery Claim denials in plastic surgery can have several negative consequences for both the patient and the plastic surgeon. Apart from financial losses, claim denials in plastic surgery could lead to delayed treatments, increased administrative burden, negative impact on patient satisfaction, and overall damage to the plastic surgeon’s reputation. It is important for plastic surgeons to work closely with insurance companies to ensure that claims are submitted correctly and that denials are minimized. Claim Denials in Plastic Surgery: Apart from common medical billing claim denials like inadequate documentation, provider not in network, and inactive coverage; claim denials specific to plastic surgery include: 1. Cosmetic Procedure If the procedure is deemed cosmetic rather than medically necessary, the insurance company may deny the claim. For example, breast augmentation surgery for cosmetic reasons would Copyright © Medical Billers and Coders. All Rights Reserved Call now 888-357-3226 (Toll Free) info@medicalbillersandcoders.com 1

2. Visit our website: Click here Follow us: not be covered. Most insurance companies do not cover elective cosmetic procedures such as rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, or liposuction. Procedures that are considered medically necessary, and may be covered by insurance, include breast reduction, reconstruction after breast cancer surgery, and reconstructive surgery following an injury. The reasons for cosmetic procedure claim denial can vary depending on the specific insurance policy and the procedure in question. As mentioned earlier, insurance companies will only cover plastic surgery procedures if they are deemed to be medically necessary, meaning that they are required to treat a specific medical condition or injury. Cosmetic procedures, on the other hand, are typically performed to enhance a patient’s appearance rather than to treat a medical condition. Insurance companies may view these procedures as elective or optional, and therefore not covered by the policy. 2. Pre-Existing Condition Image Source A pre-existing condition is a health condition that existed before an individual obtained health insurance coverage. In the context of plastic surgery, a pre-existing condition may be a medical condition that existed before the surgery and could impact the outcome of the procedure or pose a risk to the patient during or after the surgery. Insurance companies may deny claims related to pre-existing conditions if the condition is deemed to be related to the plastic surgery procedure. For example, if a patient has a pre-existing medical condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a heart condition, the insurance company may deny the claim if they believe that Copyright © Medical Billers and Coders. All Rights Reserved Call now 888-357-3226 (Toll Free) info@medicalbillersandcoders.com 2

3. Visit our website: Click here Follow us: the surgery could worsen the pre-existing condition or pose a risk to the patient’s health. Insurance companies may also require patients to undergo a pre-surgery evaluation or provide medical documentation to determine whether a pre-existing condition exists and whether the surgery is medically necessary. 3. Experimental or Investigational Procedure Experimental or investigational procedure claim denials in plastic surgery typically occur when an insurance company determines that a particular procedure or treatment is not medically necessary or not supported by clinical evidence. In plastic surgery, experimental or investigational procedures may include treatments that are not yet widely accepted in the medical community, are still undergoing clinical trials, or have not been proven to be safe and effective for a particular condition. Insurance companies have established medical policies that determine which procedures they will cover and which ones they consider experimental or investigational. If a procedure is considered experimental or investigational, the insurance company may deny coverage, leaving the patient responsible for the entire cost of the procedure. In some cases, patients and their plastic surgeons may appeal an insurance denial of coverage for an experimental or investigational procedure. The appeal may include additional documentation or evidence to support the medical necessity of the procedure. 4. Lack of Medical Necessity A lack of medical necessity claims denial in plastic surgery typically occurs when an insurance company denies coverage for a plastic surgery procedure because they deem it to be cosmetic rather than medically necessary. Medical necessity refers to the need for a particular medical treatment or procedure to address a specific health condition. In the case of plastic surgery, a procedure may be deemed medically necessary if it is required to improve or restore bodily function, treat a deformity resulting from a congenital condition, injury, or disease, or alleviate physical pain or discomfort. However, if the plastic surgery procedure is primarily for cosmetic purposes, meaning it is not essential to treat a medical condition or symptom, then the insurance company may classify it as an elective or optional procedure and deny coverage. Insurance companies have specific guidelines and criteria for determining medical necessity and what procedures are covered. For example, some insurance companies may cover certain reconstructive surgeries following a mastectomy or surgery to correct a deviated septum that causes breathing difficulties. Copyright © Medical Billers and Coders. All Rights Reserved Call now 888-357-3226 (Toll Free) info@medicalbillersandcoders.com 3

4. Visit our website: Click here Follow us: However, they may deny coverage for procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, or rhinoplasty if they are deemed purely cosmetic. 5. Non-Compliance with Post-Operative Instructions Image Source Non-compliance with post-operative instructions is a common reason for claim denial in plastic surgery. When a patient undergoes a plastic surgery procedure, they are given specific instructions to follow after the surgery to ensure a safe and successful recovery. If a patient does not follow these instructions and experiences complications as a result, their insurance claim for additional treatment may be denied. For example, if a patient is instructed to avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks after their surgery but returns to their usual workout routine too soon and suffers a complication such as a wound opening up or an implant shifting, the insurance company may argue that the patient’s non-compliance with instructions led to the complication and deny coverage for any additional treatment needed to address the issue. It is important for patients to follow their post-operative instructions closely to ensure a safe and successful recovery and to avoid potential claim denials by their insurance company. To summarize, It is important for providers to fully understand patient’s insurance policy and coverage before undergoing any plastic surgery procedure. To avoid claim denials in plastic surgery, always stay in touch with insurance companies to ensure that patients receive the appropriate coverage Copyright © Medical Billers and Coders. All Rights Reserved Call now 888-357-3226 (Toll Free) info@medicalbillersandcoders.com 4

5. Visit our website: Click here Follow us: for their surgery and any related pre-existing conditions. It’s important to note that insurance companies’ coverage policies and criteria vary, and what one insurance company may consider medically necessary, another may not. Medical Billers and Coders (MBC) is a leading medical billing company that offers medical billing and coding services to healthcare providers of various medical specialties. MBC has been in the medical billing industry for over 20 years and has worked with healthcare providers of different specialties and sizes. We have a team of certified medical coders and billers who provide a range of services, including benefits verification, medical coding, charge entry, claims submission, payment posting, denial management, accounts receivable, and provider credentialing. To know more about our plastic surgery billing and coding services, email us at: info@medicalbillersandcoders.com or call us at: 888-357-3226. Copyright © Medical Billers and Coders. All Rights Reserved Call now 888-357-3226 (Toll Free) info@medicalbillersandcoders.com 5