Will My Breasts Match After the Procedure?
When only one breast is treated for breast cancer, achieving symmetry may
involve a procedure on the other breast. A reduction, lift
or augmentation can be performed on your unaffected natural breast to assure it
matches your reconstructed breast. As a mastectomy
patient, federal law requires you receive insurance coverage for any procedures
to assure this symmetry. Your plastic surgeon will
assure the best surgical plan to achieve your aesthetic goals. For the best
results, it's important you choose a board certified plastic
surgeon with extensive breast reconstruction experience. You can find a board
certified breast reconstruction plastic surgeon in your
area by using the
Find a Surgeon directory on Natrelle.com.
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Who Will Do My Breast Reconstruction?
A plastic surgeon performs your breast reconstruction. If you elect to have
immediate breast reconstruction in conjunction with your
mastectomy, the breast or general surgeon performing your mastectomy will work
directly with your plastic surgeon to create an ideal
surgical plan for you.
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Who Will Pay for My Breast Reconstruction?
Insurance companies, managed care organizations, Medicare and Medicaid are all
required to cover breast reconstruction
for women with healthcare plans that cover mastectomy. They must pay for surgery
to make an opposite natural breast match a
reconstructed breast, too. These rights are protected by the Women's Health and
Cancer Rights Act of 1998, which states:
A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer
providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, that
provides medical and surgical benefits with respect to a mastectomy shall ensure
that, in a case in which a mastectomy patient elects
breast reconstruction, coverage is provided for-all stages of reconstruction of
the breast on which the mastectomy has been performed;
and surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical
appearance; in the manner determined by the attending
physician and the patient to be appropriate, and consistent with any fee
schedule contained in the plan.
For more detailed information about your rights, please
refer to the Department of Labor's website, "Your Rights After Mastectomy," at
www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/whcra.html.
It is important you contact your insurance company before
your surgery. Most companies require authorization before any nonemergency
surgery. And be sure to ask the insurance company about your coverage for minor
surgeries, such as areola and nipple restoration.
If you do not have health insurance, your doctor can help
guide you through the costs associated with Breast Reconstruction surgery,
office
visits and other expenses.
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Do I Need to Wait for my Breast Reconstruction If I
Need Chemo- or Radiation Therapy?
Since every case is unique, your plastic surgeon and oncologist are the
best sources for advice on breast reconstruction in these situations.
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