Related Experiment Videos
Reduction mammaplasty: criteria for insurance coverage
1Department of Surgery, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Insurance coverage for reduction mammaplasty often uses subjective criteria. This study suggests a graded minimum specimen weight standard based on body weight for more equitable insurance eligibility for breast reduction surgery.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Health Economics
Background:
- Insurance guidelines for reduction mammaplasty coverage rely heavily on subjective assessments.
- Current criteria, including minimum resection weights, can be overly strict, leading to coverage denials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between patient body dimensions, specimen weight, and preoperative discomfort in reduction mammaplasty.
- To propose a more equitable standard for insurance eligibility for breast reduction surgery.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 100 consecutive reduction mammaplasty patients.
- Study of correlations between body weight, specimen weight, and patient height.
- Use of patient questionnaires to assess preoperative regional discomfort.
Main Results:
- No reliable formula could be established to predict patient discomfort or relief based on body dimensions or specimen weight.
- Objective measurements did not correlate strongly with subjective patient complaints.
Conclusions:
- Current subjective criteria for insurance coverage of reduction mammaplasty are inadequate.
- A graded, three-level minimum specimen weight standard, stratified by body weight, is proposed for more equitable insurance coverage decisions.