Medicare and Gynecomastia

[Denman]

Just wondering if anyone knows the latest on successfully getting Medicare to pay for surgery. Has anyone done this? And what doctors are out there who honor original Medicare, I have part N. One clinic I spoke to said they don't do any insurance, so I guess that includes Medicare. 

[42CSurprise!]

I can't answer that particular question but discussions about availability of insurance to remove breasts because they appear on a man's chest have always been told this is not a "medical issue."  I guess that means that being a man with breasts is not considering a health problem.  It may be a problem psychologically for men accustomed to seeing other men with flat chests.  I guess the corollary would be women who have flat chests who go to a plastic surgeon for implants.  That isn't covered by insurance either.  Adding or removing breasts is a matter of personal choice not medical necessity.  I expect the same it true with Medicare... unless there is cancer that would be addressed through a mastectomy.  Good luck sorting it out.

[Justagirl💃]

I'm on a Medicare advantage plan, and surgery has been suggested to be several times. The Psychiatrist is under the impression that "fitting in" would be beneficial to my psychiatric  health. Completely paid for under my current plan. 

I have declined every time, as I love my breasts and can't images life without them. 

My advantage plan is the PACE program. But that entails relinquishing most of your medical rights to the program.  A system that I will be leaving upon moving to Oregon. 

[WPW717]

Hell, I can’t even get Medicare docs to order guideline tests for MEN Syndrome, & when they do the radiologist or pharmacists put the kaibash on the order. That’s why I progressed to significant osteoporosis.

Starting over here in Tennessee in a different community.

[Justagirl💃]

Hell, I can’t even get Medicare docs to order guideline tests for MEN Syndrome, & when they do the radiologist or pharmacists put the kaibash on the order. That’s why I progressed to significant osteoporosis.

Starting over here in Tennessee in a different community.

MEN syndrome is a hidden infliction.  

The only reason why the PACE program offers the double mastectomy in my case is because I'm an embarrassment to them. They have a much bigger problem about it than I do. 

The other thing about the PACE program is your right to a second opinion goes away. Whatever the doctor decides goes, right or wrong.  

[gotgyne]

By the way: A man with breasts stays a man, as a woman after a bilateral mastectomy for cancer or the risk of cancer (BRCA genes) stays a woman. Thus why to remove them in men if there is no risk for health?

And moreover: Some young and many older men have visible breasts and don't care what other people think of it.