Daily Camera Reconstructive surgery is often performed on cleft-lips and protruding ears. Reconstructive plastic surgery, which includes procedures such as breast reduction or the separation of webbed fingers, gives young patients whose appearance is marred by some abnormality a chance to enjoy regular features. According to the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons , about 1 million people seek reconstructive plastic surgery every year. Reconstructive surgery is defined as surgery that is performed on parts of the body that are abnormal due to trauma or injury, tumors or disease, birth defects or developmental abnormalities. In contrast to cosmetic surgery, which is performed solely to alter a patient's already normal appearance and which insurance doesn't cover, reconstructive surgery is generally performed to improve a patient's ability to function, with improved appearance being a by-product.
Insurance companies vary in their coverage of reconstructive procedures.
For example, plastic surgeon Dr. Louis Hill said most surgeries on the nose aren't covered unless they correct damage sustained from injury. They also may be covered if the patient has a deviated septum which causes troubled breathing. According to Ron Poppell, chief of External Affairs at the state's Division of Management, there is legislation pending to get insurance and managed-care companies to cover the reconstructive treatment of all deformities, disfigurements and congenital defects in patients under 18. Even without legislation, local insurers tend to be relatively open to covering the kinds of procedures where a child's health may be at risk, Flora said. Tumors and cleft-lips and palates are examples of conditions that insurance companies are more likely to cover.