I want to know if I qualify for a breast reduction?

Medically speaking it sounds like you qualify for a breast reduction, provided you are otherwise in good health and do not smoke. For those with significant health problems, smokers, or other issues which may affect your ability to tolerate surgery or heal well, you may need to improve your health prior to this procedure. However, this does NOT mean that your insurance company will agree with this assessment. Insurance companies require a certain amount if tissue to be removed based on your height and weight, a certain BMI (within a range of weight for your height), and documentation of your symptoms by your physician, as well as any treatments you have tried to alleviate your symptoms. The more documentation that you have, the better chance you have of approval.

Thank you for the question. Many women with large heavy breasts have the same symptoms you do. A consultation with a plastic surgeon will provide you with the information about the procedure and the risks and benefits. Although you may be a excellent candidate for the surgery, insurance coverage is another issue. First, I would recommend that you contact your insurer or have your Human Resources department help you to find out if there is the benefit under your particular policy for the procedure. There are some companies that will have an exclusion and even though you have "medically" qualify there is no coverage for the procedure. If you have coverage, you plastic surgeon's office may be able to assist you authorizing the procedure after your consultation.

With our present health care system your insurance plan will dictate what is considered as a covered service such as a breast reduction. Consider giving your insurance plan call to see if Breast Reductions are a covered service and what criteria they require for you have the procedure performed. Some insurance plans do not cover this type of surgery.
Best,
Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS