Not every eye problem is on the inside; some major eye issues can be found on the face. For a lot of people, that means drooping eyelids and excess skin wrinkles that gradually obscure their vision. The most common solution to drooping eyelids is an eyelid lift surgery that will remove these obstacles away from your eyes. But will insurance cover eyelid surgery?
Will Insurance Cover Eyelid Surgery?
But isn’t eyelid surgery a cosmetic procedure? Doesn’t that count as plastic surgery? Will insurance cover eyelid surgery in that case?
These are all questions that our Orange County eye surgeon is more than happy to answer for you. Keep reading to find out what you can do to ensure that your insurance covers functional eyelid surgery for the sake of your eye health.
Functional Vs. Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery
The medical purpose for any surgery can greatly determine whether or not a health insurance company will pay for it. That is why it is so important to distinguish between functional or cosmetic eyelid surgery. Depending on if your eye problem can be deemed a medical necessity, your insurance may cover your procedure.
What Counts as a Medical Necessity?
Functional eyelid surgery is a necessary procedure to remove the excess folds of skin drooping in front of your eyes. If your eyelids are causing obstructions to your vision, then removing them would count as a medical necessity.
Unfortunately, most insurance companies require proof of medical obstruction in order to agree to cover eyelid lift surgery. Some types of proof include:
- A recent eye and vision test
- Written letter by a board-certified eye doctor
- Images of the obstruction from the eyelids
In most cases, insurance will be able to pay for upper eyelid surgery for most patients.
How Does Eyelid Surgery Work?
Eyelid surgery – or blepharoplasty, as it is called in the cosmetic surgery world – is a full repair of the upper eyelids through the removal of excess fat and skin surrounding the eyes. During this procedure, a board-certified surgeon will use a small knife to make incisions above the folds in your eyelids. Excess skin and fat will then be removed, and the area will be closed up.
Patients often wonder how long the recovery process takes when it comes to eyelid surgery. Thankfully, those who get eyelid surgery can return to work in 7-10 days after they are cleared for recovery. The healing process is swift, but it is still important to talk with your doctor about what to expect throughout the whole surgical experience.
Am I a Good Candidate for Covered Eyelid Surgery?
You may be wondering if your eyelid problems are severe enough to warrant a fully-covered operation. Regardless of your age or skin condition, you may be considered a likely candidate if you are dealing with drooping eyes that are obstructing your vision in any way.
This innovative procedure is available to anyone suffering medically from excess eyelids or droopy skin. As always, it’s important to speak with your certified eye doctor about your needs if you are feeling concerned about the process of eyelid surgery or your current medical needs.
Repair Your Vision with Covered Vision Treatments!
No matter what kind of insurance you have, it is important to speak to your doctor about the possibility of getting your eyelid lift surgery covered. Blepharoplasty is not just a cosmetic procedure; many patients around the world require eyelid surgery to remove obstacles obscuring their vision. If you believe that you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery in Orange County, get in touch with your friendly Advanced Eye Medical specialists today. Personal consultations are available!