Breast Lift Cost

Does My Insurance Cover a Breast Lift in New York City?

If you’re getting a breast lift procedure as part of a medically necessary breast reduction or breast reconstruction after cancer treatment, your breast procedure usually qualifies for conventional insurance coverage in New York City. In these instances, a breast lift procedure is a clinically necessary part of your treatment plan. Qualifying for insurance begins with detailed clinical documentation of your physical symptoms by your surgeon.

At New York Breast Surgery Center, expert plastic surgeon David Shokrian, MD and board-certified plastic surgeon Mohamed Soliman Ahmed Elfar, MD, MS, FACS help you build the documentation required for an insurance claim. This practice isn’t in-network with any insurance carriers, but they help you discover what your plan covers for out-of-network procedures. If your insurance doesn’t cover your procedure, you have other options.

What Do I Do if My Breast Lift Isn’t Covered by Insurance?

You should continue to work with the best plastic surgeons in NYC, even if you’re getting a lift as part of a breast augmentation. If your insurance company doesn’t help with the costs, you’re responsible for them. The good news is twofold:

1. You’ll know exactly how much your procedure costs before you decide to go ahead with it.
2. You can apply for financing plans, like CareCredit, which even offers an interest-free option.

If you’re considering a breast lift, but aren’t sure about its cost or financing options, visit one of two locations — either in Midtown Manhattan or in Great Neck, Long Island. At your consultation, they offer clear financial advice and guide you through your breast lift cost payment options.

When Do I Have to Pay for My Breast Lift Procedure?

You generally have to pay for your lift before the procedure takes place. When you get a breast lift without a documented medical condition, your procedure becomes cosmetic, which means you have to pay for it yourself. The word “cosmetic” doesn’t infer that it’s unnecessary; it just means that the primary goal of the procedure isn’t medical or health-related.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2024 Procedural Statistics Release, a mastopexy, the technical name for a breast lift, ranks among the top five most performed plastic surgery procedures in the United States. The majority of those procedures weren’t considered medically necessary by insurance industry standards. Yet women still wanted them enough to pay for them.

Dr. Shokrian adds, “A breast lift in NYC costs about $10K. A breast lift with implants ranges between $18K and $25K. The exact figure depends on a variety of surgical factors, including the facility and the expertise of your surgeon. The cost also varies from patient to patient, as no two procedures are exactly the same.”

What Factors Affect the Cost of a Breast Lift in New York City?

While several factors influence the final cost of your procedure, the most common is the type of breast lift you need. The degree of breast sagging and nipple descent determines the type of breast lift you require. The type of surgery affects how long the procedure takes, which in turn impacts its cost. Other surgical factors that influence the cost of a breast lift include:

• Anesthesia. Anesthesia is billed separately by the anesthesiologist. The exact amount is finalized by the type of anesthesia administered, as well as the length and complexity of your procedure.
• Accredited, safe surgical suite. Most procedures at New York Breast Surgery Center take place in a fully accredited, on-site surgical suite. This reflects a high standard of patient safety, equipment and clinical staffing. You pay a fee based on the time your surgeon needs.
• Location. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that NYC is an expensive market for cosmetic breast procedures, due to accredited facilities, cost of living, board certification and the demand for experienced, fellowship-trained surgeons.
• Pre-operative testing. You’re required to complete necessary pre-operative testing, which varies by patient. This cost is separate from your surgical quote.
• Post-operative care. Follow-up appointments, surgical garments, medications and infection prevention plans are unique to each patient and may vary. These are also billed separately.

“Understanding what drives the cost helps you approach your consultation with clarity,” says Dr. Shokrian. “The level of training and experience Dr. Elfar and I have doesn’t just show up in your surgery. Because of it, we can select the appropriate treatment, plan a precise surgical technique and handle your tissue skillfully. Our talent and skill also greatly reduce your surgical risks, while increasing the likelihood of success.”

If you’re considering a breast lift by the best surgeons in NYC, realize that you have to pay a little extra for that expertise. Dr. Shokrian has 14 years of experience and has performed 5,000 procedures. With a fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery, he has extensive experience in all types of breast lifts. Dr. Elfar is triple board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Surgical Critical Care. You can trust these two for dependable results that can change your life.

Does the Type of Breast Lift Technique in Surgery Affect the Cost?

This clinical decision, which technique to use, is an influential factor in determining how long your procedure will take and its complexity. Both factors affect your cost. The best breast lift surgeon in NYC selects the technique based on your degree of sagging, your breast anatomy and your long-term goals. The incisions possible for a breast lift, from least complex to most, include:

• Crescent lift. This minimal technique involves a small incision along the upper half of your areola. It needs the shortest surgical time and has the lowest surgical complexity.
• Peri-areolar lift. Known as a donut incision, this technique uses a circular incision made around your entire areola. This allows for moderate nipple repositioning and skin removal. While it’s a little more complex than a crescent lift, it allows your surgeon to do more.
• Vertical lift. Also called a lollipop lift, this technique combines a peri-areolar incision with a vertical incision running from the areola to your breast fold. Your surgeon can accomplish significant reshaping and tissue repositioning with the longer incision lengths and greater surgical time.
• Anchor lift or inverted-T lift. This technique is the most comprehensive technique to address the most extreme sagging. It involves three incisions: the two of the vertical lift and one more along the breast fold horizontally. With this technique, your surgeon can accomplish extensive repositioning and skin removal. It needs the longest time in surgery, since it’s the most complex and thus the most expensive.

Dr. Shokrian adds, “If you have mild sagging and all you need is minimal correction, consider a scarless breast lift. This less expensive technique involves the use of radiofrequency or thread-based techniques, rather than a surgical incision.”

How Does Out-of-Network Insurance Work at New York Breast Surgery Center?

New York Breast Surgery Center isn’t in-network with any insurance provider, but this doesn’t mean you have to pay out-of-pocket. Many insurance plans include out-of-network benefits, which reduce your cost for a breast lift. According to the New York State Department of Financial Services, New York State law requires most insurers to cover out-of-network emergencies and some non-emergency services, providing you with more out-of-network protection than other states.

Every plan is different, and the extent of out-of-network coverage depends on your specific provider, deductibles and how your plan defines medical necessity for a breast lift. Checking with them directly is the only way to be sure. Before your consultation, the team at New York Breast Surgery Center contacts your insurance provider to verify whether out-of-network benefits apply to your procedure. It becomes part of the conversation regarding your total cost and payment options.

How Does New York Breast Surgery Center Make Financing Easy for a Breast Lift?

If you choose a non-covered, cash-only breast lift, your financial planning may change. Your surgeon understands that. New York Breast Surgery Center doesn’t offer in-house financing, but they encourage you to explore an independent financing option like CareCredit.

“CareCredit is a nationally recognized medical credit card used to cover healthcare expenses, including plastic surgery” says Dr. Shokrian. “Even though it’s not affiliated with us, we accept it. CareCredit offers you a variety of ways to manage out-of-pocket medical expenses.”

CareCredit’s promotional financing includes a deferred-interest plan with no interest if paid in full within six, 12, 18 or 24 months. They also offer reduced interest financing with fixed monthly payments over 24 to 60 months for larger balances. These options allow you to spread the cost of procedures over time.

How Does New York Breast Surgery Center Help Me Outside the Surgical Suite?

Understanding the financial picture of a breast lift includes more than just a single number. You have to take into consideration the type of incision and scarring involved. You have to decide whether to combine your breast lift with implants or not. Every decision has a financial implication. The team at New York Breast Surgery Center believe that financial clarity is just as important as surgical clarity.

If you’re getting a medically insured procedure, the surgical team checks with your provider to verify your benefits. If you’re looking at a cash-based procedure, the team points you to financing options and delivers an itemized cost breakdown to avoid financial surprises. Schedule a consultation today to discuss the details involved with your breast lift procedure and cost. You’ll leave with a precise cost breakdown and personalized surgical plan.

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