Millions of people go under the knife each year to enhance their appearance, to correct scarring from injuries, or to alleviate discomfort. Most health insurance policies only cover plastic surgery if there is a serious medical reason for doing surgery. Women needing breast reduction or accident victims needing their noses realigned may receive coverage from their health insurance, but most plastic surgery is not covered, especially if the surgery is voluntary.

Plastic surgery is a medical procedure and it’s very expensive. Statistics from 2010 listing the prices of common plastic surgery procedures are astonishing. A simple Botox injection is listed at just over £500. A face lift is listed at just over £5,000. A breast lift cost nearly £4,300, Liposuction came in at nearly £3,000, and Zeltiq Coolsculpting registered at a staggering £5,200. These prices do not cover all the fees incurred during plastic surgery; additional costs from anesthesia, operating facilities, and other expenses will bring the cost noticeably higher.

Reconstructive surgery, or surgery on abnormal body parts caused by defect, injury, or illness is generally performed to improve the person’s ability to function and to give them a normal appearance. This type of plastic surgery insurance is usually covered by most health insurance plans. Cosmetic surgery, or surgery performed on normal body parts, is performed to enhance a patient’s appearance. Most insurance plans will not cover this type of surgery. Take the time to research several health insurance companies and get online insurance quotes to decide which coverage is best for you based on the procedures you need or want to have done and the financial benefits of having such a policy. Weigh out what companies offer, the cost of the policy, and what you will have to pay out of pocket. Having coverage can reduce your out of pocket expense from thousands of dollars to merely hundreds of dollars, depending on your policy.