If you are unhappy with the way your stomach looks after having a baby, you may be considering getting a tummy tuck. However, before you select a surgeon, it is recommended that you consult with a few different surgeons and obtain price quotes for them. There are always going to be differences in price among surgeons. Each surgeon charges a different amount for their services. However, if you start to see huge price swings among the quotes, there may be something else you are missing. Here are three common reasons why you may see significant price differences for quotes for tummy tuck surgery.
You May Be Receiving Quotes For Different Types of Tummy Tucks
A tummy tuck is designed to tighten your abdominal muscles, remove stubborn fat and remove loose skin. However, you may not realize that there are three different types of tummy tuck procedures that can be done to achieve this goal. The least invasive is referred to as the mini tummy tuck, or the limited tummy tuck. Then there is a standard tummy tuck. Lastly, there is an extended tummy tuck. They type of procedure you should have varies based on how much loose skin and fat you have and what your desired goals are. If you don't convey the exact type of tummy tuck surgery you wish to have to a surgeon during a consult, they may quote you based on the type they think is best for you. However, one surgeon may feel you can get away with a mini tummy tuck while another may think you need a standard one. As such, you will see a difference in price on the quotes. Always ask what type of tummy tuck they think you should have and why. Then ask them to list the type of tummy tuck they are quoting you on your paperwork.
Not All of the Fees are Listed
Another reason why you may see completely different prices as you get price quotes from tummy tuck surgeons is because some facilities may not list all of the fees on the price quote. When obtaining a price quote, it is always important to ask what you are getting for the price and ask the surgeon's office to itemize each item for you. Some facilities will work to ensure everything is included in the price. This can include your pre-op and post-op visits, your facility fees, anesthesiologist fees and surgery fees. Other facilities will only quote you what they will be charging for. This may be only the cost for the surgeon and the surgery fees. They will let you figure out how much your facility fees and anesthesiology costs will be on your own. Knowing what all is included for the quoted price will allow you to properly compare quotes and ensure you don't receive surprise bills later on.
A Surgeon May Feel Your Insurance Will Cover Part of the Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck has health benefits, in addition to aesthetic ones. Loose skin is prone to bacterial, viral and fungal infections. And the loose skin can also make exercising or staying active difficult. As such, insurance may cover some of the costs of your tummy tuck to help you stay healthy. If you notice differences in your quotes for a tummy tuck, it may be because one surgeon plans on billing your insurance company for some of the cost of the procedure. Your quote may only include your out-of-pocket costs. Another surgeon may be billing you for the entire amount, letting you determine if insurance will cover your procedure and how much coverage they will provide. Always ask a surgeon if they feel your procedure may be covered by insurance and ask them to include a quote for what it will cost if you go under insurance and what it will cost if insurance denies your claim.
There will always be differences in price for a tummy tuck from one surgeon to the next. A more experienced surgeon may charge more and supply and demand comes into play. If a surgeon has more openings, they may offer a lower price to draw people in, whereas a surgeon who stays steadily booked may not need to do this. However, if you notice huge differences in the price, there may be more going on than you realize. You may be receiving quotes for different types of tummy tucks, and not all of your quotes may include all of the fees for the procedures or some quotes may take your insurance into account. Paying close attention to the quotes and ensuring they are all itemized and detailed will help you properly compare the costs you are quoted when searching for a surgeon.
To begin your search for a tummy tuck surgeon, check out a site like http://www.cosmeticsurgeonbellevue.com.
