The cost of eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can be daunting.Eyelid surgery (aka blepharoplasty or eye lift) comes with costs involved and often times, the patient seeking the surgery would have to pay full cost. There are several options as far as procedures and methods of payment. For many, the cost of eyelid surgery would seem intimidatingly expensive. After all, plastic surgery procedures are considered things that upper-middle class and upper class individuals can undergo. However, these procedures can be surprisingly affordable and people should know this.
Generic Costs of Eyelid SurgeryIt all depends upon where you are getting the procedure done (eyelid surgery in Las Vegas would differ from eyelid surgery in Tallahassee), which type of surgical procedure you are getting, type of anesthesia, the surgeon you wish to have perform the operation and the facility. Now that the variables are established, the discussion of cost can be honestly explored.
Local anesthesia is much like a dental procedure, which can make the procedure more cost-effective. This is not always an option!
Upper Blepharoplasty (Eye Lift)
Upper blepharoplasty can run anywhere between $1,800 to $3,500. A patient that undergoes local anesthesia in an out-patient setting will pay toward the lower end. A patient that undergoes IV sedation would run toward the higher end.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Lower blepharoplasty can run anywhere between $2,100 to $3,500. A patient that undergoes local anesthesia in an out-patient setting will pay toward the lower end. A patient that undergoes IV sedation would run toward the higher end.
Double Blepharoplasty (Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery)
This can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $5,500. A patient that undergoes local anesthesia in an out-patient setting will pay toward the lower end. A patient that undergoes IV sedation would run toward the higher end.
Sounds like a lot, but you have only ONE set of eyes and great work by trained, experienced surgeons can improve your appearance. However, there are situations where your insurer would be able to defray the costs of the procedure. Not all blepharoplasties are the same, there are people (maybe you included) that require a blepharoplasty to be able to see without any obstructions.
Insurance CoverageInsurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures, but in some instances would cover necessary surgeries that meet their requirements to show that an upper blepharoplasty is medically necessary. Here are the standard requirements that a typical insurer would use to qualify you for coverage. This was taken from North Carolina Blue Cross Blue Shield as referenced in this article concerning eyelid surgery in Durham, North Carolina.
“Documentation must include information relevant to the surgery proposed or performed; including the following as indicated:
1. Office records that indicate signs and symptoms of vision disturbance secondary to redundant or drooping upper eyelid tissue, including evaluation for Horner’s syndrome. Patient complaints may include interference with vision or visual field, difficulty reading due to upper eyelid drooping, looking through the eyelashes or seeing the upper eyelid skin, etc. For entropion, pseudotrichiasis, ectropion, and corneal exposure specific symptoms, duration and severity must be noted. (Required for all cases).
2. Degree and description of visual impairment and marginal reflex distance. (Required for upper eyelid ptosis surgery.)
3. Results from either a Goldmann Perimeter or a programmable automated perimeter visual field testing method. (Required for dermatochalasis surgery.)
4. Photodocumentation (prints not slides) as indicated below: i. Frontal photographs, canthus to canthus with the head perpendicular to the plane of the camera (not tilted) to demonstrate a skin rash or position of the true lid margin or the pseudo-lid margin. ii. Close up lateral photographs with eyes open, upgaze and eyes closed. iii. If redundant skin coexists with true lid ptosis, additional photos must be taken with the upper lid skin retracted to show the actual position of the true lid margin. iv. Frontal and oblique photos are needed to demonstrate redundant skin on the upper eyelashes when this is the only indication for surgery.”
How much your insurer will pay for depends upon your deductible, how much you have left on your annual deductible, co-insurance considerations and maximum out-of-pocket medical fees established in your policy.
Generic Costs of Eyelid SurgeryIt all depends upon where you are getting the procedure done (eyelid surgery in Las Vegas would differ from eyelid surgery in Tallahassee), which type of surgical procedure you are getting, type of anesthesia, the surgeon you wish to have perform the operation and the facility. Now that the variables are established, the discussion of cost can be honestly explored.
Local anesthesia is much like a dental procedure, which can make the procedure more cost-effective. This is not always an option!
Upper Blepharoplasty (Eye Lift)
Upper blepharoplasty can run anywhere between $1,800 to $3,500. A patient that undergoes local anesthesia in an out-patient setting will pay toward the lower end. A patient that undergoes IV sedation would run toward the higher end.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Lower blepharoplasty can run anywhere between $2,100 to $3,500. A patient that undergoes local anesthesia in an out-patient setting will pay toward the lower end. A patient that undergoes IV sedation would run toward the higher end.
Double Blepharoplasty (Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery)
This can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $5,500. A patient that undergoes local anesthesia in an out-patient setting will pay toward the lower end. A patient that undergoes IV sedation would run toward the higher end.
Sounds like a lot, but you have only ONE set of eyes and great work by trained, experienced surgeons can improve your appearance. However, there are situations where your insurer would be able to defray the costs of the procedure. Not all blepharoplasties are the same, there are people (maybe you included) that require a blepharoplasty to be able to see without any obstructions.
Insurance CoverageInsurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures, but in some instances would cover necessary surgeries that meet their requirements to show that an upper blepharoplasty is medically necessary. Here are the standard requirements that a typical insurer would use to qualify you for coverage. This was taken from North Carolina Blue Cross Blue Shield as referenced in this article concerning eyelid surgery in Durham, North Carolina.
“Documentation must include information relevant to the surgery proposed or performed; including the following as indicated:
1. Office records that indicate signs and symptoms of vision disturbance secondary to redundant or drooping upper eyelid tissue, including evaluation for Horner’s syndrome. Patient complaints may include interference with vision or visual field, difficulty reading due to upper eyelid drooping, looking through the eyelashes or seeing the upper eyelid skin, etc. For entropion, pseudotrichiasis, ectropion, and corneal exposure specific symptoms, duration and severity must be noted. (Required for all cases).
2. Degree and description of visual impairment and marginal reflex distance. (Required for upper eyelid ptosis surgery.)
3. Results from either a Goldmann Perimeter or a programmable automated perimeter visual field testing method. (Required for dermatochalasis surgery.)
4. Photodocumentation (prints not slides) as indicated below: i. Frontal photographs, canthus to canthus with the head perpendicular to the plane of the camera (not tilted) to demonstrate a skin rash or position of the true lid margin or the pseudo-lid margin. ii. Close up lateral photographs with eyes open, upgaze and eyes closed. iii. If redundant skin coexists with true lid ptosis, additional photos must be taken with the upper lid skin retracted to show the actual position of the true lid margin. iv. Frontal and oblique photos are needed to demonstrate redundant skin on the upper eyelashes when this is the only indication for surgery.”
How much your insurer will pay for depends upon your deductible, how much you have left on your annual deductible, co-insurance considerations and maximum out-of-pocket medical fees established in your policy.