I have a vanilla Lady friend who could use some help/feedback from anybody that might be able to provide some options.
She is on her second set of breast implants and was experiencing extreme pain that has lightened recently. She went in for an exam and now it's suggested she have surgery to remove her implants and the scar tissue that has now totally encapsulated them. After 3 months of healing time the rebuilding surgery will take place.
She has been informed the cost will be $20,000.00 and insurance says they will not cover any of the procedure due to the implants were cosmetic.
She like many others has Medicare Ins. with a secondary Ins. Co. managing her Medicare.
Can/will anybody offer helpful suggestions either here on the Forum or in my mailbox please? ...thank You !!!
She is on her second set of breast implants and was experiencing extreme pain that has lightened recently. She went in for an exam and now it's suggested she have surgery to remove her implants and the scar tissue that has now totally encapsulated them. After 3 months of healing time the rebuilding surgery will take place.
She has been informed the cost will be $20,000.00 and insurance says they will not cover any of the procedure due to the implants were cosmetic.
She like many others has Medicare Ins. with a secondary Ins. Co. managing her Medicare.
Can/will anybody offer helpful suggestions either here on the Forum or in my mailbox please? ...thank You !!!
I'm not sure it would work, but if the doctor codes it "creatively" using pain, discomfort, and encapsulation, perhaps it can be covered as a medical expense rather than a cosmetic procedure. Good luck to your friend.
Thank you...I agree, it is a possibility!
Anybody else out there with experience working with Insurance Company's and working out a way to cover "so called" post cosmetic scar tissue removal procedures?
In the past, the treatment options available for breast augmentation patients with capsular contracture left much to be desired. Revision surgery was often required—a lengthy, costly and uncomfortable solution. During this process, the patient's implants were removed, she was treated with antibiotics and eventually (once the infection had subsided), she could choose to have breast implants inserted again. However, because this surgical approach makes the body vulnerable to a second bacterial invasion, many of these patients experienced repeated incidences of capsular contracture.
Aspen multi-energy therapy is different. It's completely noninvasive, so it doesn't cause the patient pain or inconvenience, nor does it increase her risk of developing capsular contracture again in the future. During Aspen therapy, a special device (the Aspen harmonizer) is applied to the patient's breast tissue, without any incisions being made. The Aspen harmonizer delivers precisely controlled ultrasound waves to the patient's tissue, encouraging the growth of healthy collagen. This increases elasticity within the breast capsule around the implant, making the breasts feel soft and pliable again. Furthermore, the ultrasound waves used during Aspen therapy have been shown to increase the effectiveness of antibiotics in combating biofilm. Aspen therapy is usually administered over two to three weeks in combination with antibiotic therapy to target the root cause of capsular contracture. The Aspen method has been shown to be effective for grade two and grade three cases of capsular contracture. Grade four cases may require more aggressive surgical intervention.
Unfortunately for your friend and the pain she is having she could be experiencing a grade 4 case, which more than likely will require surgery. I hope not and wish her the best.
Aspen multi-energy therapy is different. It's completely noninvasive, so it doesn't cause the patient pain or inconvenience, nor does it increase her risk of developing capsular contracture again in the future. During Aspen therapy, a special device (the Aspen harmonizer) is applied to the patient's breast tissue, without any incisions being made. The Aspen harmonizer delivers precisely controlled ultrasound waves to the patient's tissue, encouraging the growth of healthy collagen. This increases elasticity within the breast capsule around the implant, making the breasts feel soft and pliable again. Furthermore, the ultrasound waves used during Aspen therapy have been shown to increase the effectiveness of antibiotics in combating biofilm. Aspen therapy is usually administered over two to three weeks in combination with antibiotic therapy to target the root cause of capsular contracture. The Aspen method has been shown to be effective for grade two and grade three cases of capsular contracture. Grade four cases may require more aggressive surgical intervention.
Unfortunately for your friend and the pain she is having she could be experiencing a grade 4 case, which more than likely will require surgery. I hope not and wish her the best.
Very informative, thanks a bunch "Rubdown!" I'll pass this along to her, I'm sure she'll be very grateful!!!
I’ve had clients that have been through both, I really hope for your friends sake that the ultrasound route works.
Thank you, agreed!