Local Plastic Surgeon in Paramus New Jersey, Dr. Andrew Nouri Educates Patients on Insurance Coverage for Medically Necessary Breast Reduction
What many people don't realize is that breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty is usually medically necessary, and as a result, it may be covered by health insurance.
'At Nouri Plastic Surgery we understand the pain and discomfort associated with disproportionately large breasts. We ensure the highest level of patient care from the moment you give us a call to your final post-operative visit'.
We are here for you, every step of the way. Our 'patients first' motto is unwavering. We are located in Paramus, Bergen County, New Jersey and very close to Franklin Lakes, Tenafly, Cresskill, Ridgewood, Englewood Cliffs, Woodcliff Lake, Alpine, Paterson, Saddle River, Ho-Ho-Kus, and Upper Saddle River, as well as New York City.
If you've been suffering from the physical and emotional burden of large breasts, you might be surprised to learn that your insurance provider could help cover the cost of surgery. Here's what you need to know.
When Is Breast Reduction Medically Necessary?
Insurance companies typically distinguish between cosmetic and medically necessary procedures. For breast reduction to be considered medically necessary, there must be documented evidence that large breasts are causing health problems or interfering with daily activities.
Some of the most common reasons include:
Longterm back, neck, and shoulder pain that doesn't improve with physical therapy or other conservative treatments
Skin irritation or recurrent infections in the fold under the breasts (intertrigo)
Shoulder grooving from bra straps
Restricted physical activity due to breast size
Emotional or psychological distress, such as body image issues or social anxiety
In these cases, breast reduction can dramatically improve quality of life. By removing excess breast tissue, skin, and fat, the procedure not only relieves pain and physical symptoms but can also restore balance to the body's proportions.What Insurance Plans Typically Require
Every insurance plan is different, but most follow similar guidelines when it comes to approving breast reduction surgery. While policies and terminology may vary, here are the most common requirements:
1. Documented Medical Symptoms
You'll need a record of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. This may include notes from your primary care physician, physical therapist, or other specialists confirming issues like chronic pain, skin infections, or functional limitations.
2. Trial of Conservative Treatment
Insurance companies usually want to see that you've tried non-surgical approaches first. These might include physical therapy, weight loss, chiropractic care, better support garments, or medications.
3. Minimum Tissue Removal
Some insurers require a specific amount of breast tissue to be removed for the procedure to qualify for coverage. If your surgery meets or exceeds the threshold, you're more likely to get approval.
4. Photographic Evidence
During your consultation, Dr. Nouri will take photographs to document breast size and skin issues. These images are submitted to the insurance company by your plastic surgery team as part of the prior authorization process.
5. Letter of Medical Necessity
Your plastic surgeon will typically write a detailed letter explaining why breast reduction is necessary and how it will benefit your health. This letter is submitted along with the other documentation for insurance review.
How the Approval Process Works
Once all the necessary paperwork is gathered, your surgeon's office will submit a request for prior authorization to your insurance provider. This process can take a few weeks, and it may require additional information or clarification.
When approved, your insurance will cover a portion or sometimes the full cost of the surgery, depending on your plan, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum.
If denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. Many patients are ultimately approved after providing additional documentation or going through the appeal process.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
When considering breast reduction, it's important to choose a plastic surgeon who has profound experience with both the procedure and insurance navigation. Dr. Nouri is an expert in reduction mammoplasty, specializing in both macromastia and gigantomastia, in which a free nipple graft may be necessary. Every case is different, and every patient is different.
Dr. Nouri prides himself on his customized approach to each patient, exceptional surgical technique, and impeccable bedside manner, all expressed in his Google reviews – over 140 5-stars! In addition, his office staff exemplifies the highest understanding of navigating the insurance process to get you preauthorization.
Benefits Beyond the Physical
The benefits of breast reduction are life-changing. Women report dramatic improvements in pain, posture, physical activity, and overall confidence. Clothing fits better, exercise becomes more comfortable, and daily activities no longer feel limited.
Emotionally, patients feel a renewed sense of freedom. No longer burdened by unwanted attention or discomfort, they can move through the world with greater ease and self-assurance.
Final Thoughts
If you've been struggling with the physical and emotional toll of large breasts, know that you are not alone and that help may be more accessible than you think.
Breast reduction surgery isn't just about appearance; it's about improving your health, comfort, and quality of life.
And yes it can be covered by insurance!
Call Dr. Nouri's office today to schedule a complimentary consultation to explore your options. With an expert team behind you every step of the way, you can take this empowering step toward relief, confidence, and well-being.
Always you. Always natural.Nouri Plastic Surgery16 Arcadian Way, Ste C7Paramus, NJ 07652973.200.2050www.nouriplasticsurgery.com
CONTACT: Nouri Plastic Surgery 16 Arcadian Way, Ste C7 Paramus, NJ 07652 973.200.2050 dr.nouri@nourips.com www.nouriplasticsurgery.comSign in to access your portfolio
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Associated Press
5 hours ago
- Associated Press
Dr. Christopher A. Pumill Named 'Up & Coming' NJ Top Doctor
NJ Top Docs has named Dr. Christopher A. Pumill of Cross County Cardiology - Mt. Sinai an 'Up & Coming' NJ Top Doctor. HOBOKEN, NJ, UNITED STATES, August 2, 2025 / / -- NJ Top Docs is proud to announce Dr. Christopher A. Pumill of Cross County Cardiology – Mt. Sinai as an 'Up & Coming' NJ Top Doctor. Dr. Pumill is a board-certified, highly accomplished cardiologist specializing in non-invasive cardiology, with advanced expertise in echocardiography, cardiac CT, and vascular cardiology. His approach blends cutting-edge diagnostics with compassionate care, ensuring his patients receive the most accurate assessments and personalized treatment plans available today. A proud Bergen County, New Jersey native, Dr. Pumill graduated Magna Cum Laude from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He earned his medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ, before going on to complete his internal medicine residency at the prestigious Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Pumill's cardiology fellowship training at the world-renowned Mount Sinai Hospital further refined his skills and solidified his commitment to clinical excellence. Dr. Pumill holds an impressive six board certifications, including the American Board of Internal Medicine, a testament to his deep knowledge and dedication to staying at the forefront of medical advancements. He is an active member of several leading professional organizations, such as the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, Society of Hospital Medicine, and the American College of Cardiology. Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Pumill is an accomplished researcher and prolific author. He has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals including Circulation, the American Heart Journal, and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. His work continues to inform and influence best practices in cardiology nationwide. With a particular interest in preventative cardiology and the cardiovascular health of pregnant individuals, Dr. Pumill brings both passion and precision to his practice. In 2018, he was honored with a Faculty Resident Research Grant for his investigative work, underscoring his commitment to pushing the boundaries of heart health. His patients benefit not only from his vast clinical expertise but also from his ongoing pursuit of knowledge in this ever-evolving field. Dr. Pumill remains dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care with a focus on prevention, early detection, and long-term wellness. In addition to being an 'Up & Coming' NJ Top Doc, Dr. Christopher A. Pumill has also been recognized by NY Top Docs as an 'Up & Coming' NY Top Doctor. To learn more about Dr. Christopher A. Pumill, please visit To learn more about Cross County Cardiology - Mt. Sinai, please visit --- About Us NJ Top Docs is a comprehensive, trusted and exclusive healthcare resource featuring reviewed and approved Top Doctors and Dentists in New Jersey online in an easy to use format. NJ Top Docs only reviews and approves providers based on merit after they have been extensively vetted. NJ Top Docs is a division of USA Top Docs which allows patients to meet providers online before making their appointment. For more information, please click here to contact us or visit You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. Desiree Cruz USA Top Docs +1 908-288-7240 email us here Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.


Fast Company
6 hours ago
- Fast Company
6 tips for managing out-of-control medical bills
BY Listen to this Article More info 0:00 / 6:51 Several years ago, I received a bad medical bill: $150 for an in-network doctor's appointment that my health insurance was supposed to cover with a $30 co-pay. After multiple long and frustrating phone calls over several weeks—during which time nothing was resolved—I gave up and wrote a check for $150. That experience convinced me that medical billing is confusing and error-ridden on purpose. Recent research backs this up. A staggering 80% of medical bills contain errors, most of which are easily preventable. Under our current medical billing system, patients face a horrible catch-22: They can spend money on error-ridden bills or they can spend time getting them corrected. (If they have neither money nor time, then their bills may go to collections.) Covering medical costs under an intentionally confusing system will always be an uphill battle. But until we change how we pay for healthcare as a society, here's what you can do to make medical bills fit better into your personal budget. Take your time paying medical bills Some healthcare providers may send a bill to you before your insurance company has had time to process your claim. If that's what has happened, your balance owed will look much higher than you expect. In that case, the bill may have a blank spot in the section labeled 'insurance payment' or 'plan payment.' Waiting to pay that bill until the insurance has come through will ensure you only pay what you owe. But this isn't the only reason you may want to wait before paying a medical bill. If you expect to receive multiple bills because of a lengthy stay in a hospital or repeated specialist visits because of a particular health issue, it can also be a good idea to hold off on paying until you have received all of the related medical bills. This will allow you to double check that you have not been double-billed for any procedures or services before you start making payments. You don't need to worry that waiting to pay will affect your credit. The time period before unpaid medical debt is reported to the three major credit bureaus was increased from six months to 1 year as of 2022. And as of 2023, medical debt under $500 is no longer reported to the credit bureaus. Request an itemized bill If you had multiple services, your bill may not list them all. Instead, patients often receive a summary bill that lumps all of the charges for services together. But it's impossible to tell if there are any errors in a summary bill, which is why you should request an itemized bill if you don't receive one. While hospitals generally will not send one without being asked, receiving an itemized bill upon request is one of your rights as a patient. The hospital is legally required to send it within 30 days of your request. Also known as a ' superbill,' the itemized bill lists each medical billing procedure code, the amount paid by insurance, and the amount you owe. Check for mistakes With the itemized list in front of you, check for mistakes. Some of the common errors you might find include: Services or procedures erroneously listed multiple times Procedures listed that you didn't receive Charges listed that have already been paid Amounts charged that are above legal limits Charges for more expensive procedures than what you received You may need to look up medical billing codes to make sense of the itemized bill. These codes can generally be found online by typing in the code with the term 'medical billing code.' You can compare the description of the procedure you find online with your bill to see if the codes match the healthcare you received. Don't forget basic fact-checking Unfortunately, some of the most frustrating medical billing problems may stem from getting a basic fact wrong. An incorrect birthdate, patients with similar names, or someone accidentally transposing two numbers in a patient's street address could be enough to trigger an insurance claim denial. While you are checking medical bills for mistakes, make sure you're also looking at your personal information, including your birthday, billing address, date of healthcare service, medications, and other details. Ask your medical provider for a price break Just because the final charge you receive looks more like a phone number than a bill doesn't mean you have to pay that amount all at once. Many doctors accept payment over time with a payment plan and provide a no-fee method of making monthly payments. Providers may alternatively forgive a portion of your bill if you can make an immediate, smaller payment. It's important to remember that doctors are not well served by the medical billing system, either. Doctors often sell medical debt to a collections agency after 90 days of delinquency—but for a fraction of what's owed. Which means medical providers would rather work with a patient to avoid losing money by sending the debt to collections. Partner with a patient advocate Having to navigate all of this while simultaneously recovering from injury or illness seems like the kind of dystopian nightmare that Suzanne Collins would consider a bit over-the-top. Thankfully, help is available via patient advocacy, and there's no fight-to-the-death requirement to access it. Patient advocates work to help patients navigate the healthcare system so they can get the best care for their needs. This includes helping patients to understand and manage their medical bills. To find a patient advocate, start by calling your hospital. Many hospitals have advocates on staff who can help you with the process of understanding your bills, correcting medical billing errors, and applying for financial assistance. Alternatively, you can search for a patient advocate or representative online. Check for advocacy groups that help with medical bills in your state or for patients with a specific condition or disease that you have. If you have a chronic or life-threatening illness, the Patient Advocate Foundation is a nonprofit organization that can help you get and pay for care. Navigating the broken system Medical billing is not set up for clarity, low cost, or ease of use. When a patient gives up and pays more than they owe, the system is (most likely) working as intended. And until collectively we decide to change it, we are stuck with a system that requires an investment of time to avoid overpayment. Until that happens, knowing your rights as a patient can help keep you from making costly mistakes with your medical bills. That includes the right to take up to a year to repay your medical bills before they are reported to the credit bureaus and the right to request itemized charges. In addition, keeping an eye out for mistakes, which are incredibly common, can help you avoid overcharges. Finally, ask your medical provider for any discounts or payment plans they offer, and partner with a patient advocate so the burden isn't entirely on your shoulders. The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. ABOUT THE AUTHOR The daughter of a financial planner, Emily Guy Birken never stood a chance: Try as she might to avoid her destiny (undergraduate degree in English with a focus on creative writing at Kenyon, MEd from The Ohio State University, teaching, motherhood), her innate fascination with money turned her into one of the most compelling and relatable writers on personal finance.. Based in Milwaukee and a regular guest on Wisconsin Public Radio, she has written for The Washington Post, USA Today, and many other publications and websites More
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Check Your Kitchen—Experts Say These 10 Foods Contain The Most Microplastics
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Microplastics are found in many everyday foods like rice, tea, bottled water, and seafood. Early research suggests microplastics may contribute to health issues like oxidative stress, organ dysfunction, and metabolic or immune disruptions, though more studies are needed. Experts recommend reducing exposure by choosing loose-leaf tea, rinsing rice, avoiding plastic bottles, and opting for minimally processed or non-plastic-packaged foods. Almost everything we eat these days is transported or stored in plastic, and we've all zapped leftovers in the microwave in plastic containers. But you may not have realized that microplastics actually can be found inside the foods we eat. It's actually not a new topic. "Research into the effects of microplastic consumption has been ongoing for several decades," says Stephani Johnson, D.C.N., R.D.N., adjunct professor, Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. "However, there is still much to learn regarding the average levels of human exposure, how long microplastics remain in the body, and their associated health consequences. What is currently known is that microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, making complete avoidance virtually impossible." Studies have found microplastics throughout the human body, including in the brain, heart, colon, placenta, and more. "We are what we eat, and we are eating and being exposed to plastics in our food," Nicholas Mallos, vice president of conservation, ocean plastics, at the Ocean Conservancy, and co-author of a recent study on microplastics in commonly-consumed proteins. "While we need more research to know what exposure levels of plastics are causing human health problems, we should be concerned." What Are The Health Consequences Of Consuming Microplastics? Emerging evidence suggests that potential harm may depend on several factors, including the amount consumed, as well as the type, size, and shape of the microplastic particles. "At the cellular level, studies have shown that microplastics can contribute to oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, and disruptions in metabolic, reproductive, and immune functions, as well as neurodevelopmental toxicity," Johnson says. Unfortunately, there is still much we don't know about microplastics in food. "Our study demonstrates the need for further research to better understand microplastics in the most commonly consumed foods, including precisely where these microplastics are coming from and the potential human health risks," Mallos says. Ahead, the foods that research has found to contain a measurable amount of microplastics: Tea Many commercial tea bags are made with polypropylene, a type of plastic used to seal the bags and maintain their shape. "When steeped in hot water, these bags can release microplastics into the tea. To avoid potential ingestion of microplastics, using loose leaf tea with a stainless steel or other non-plastic tea infuser is a safer and more sustainable alternative," Johnson says. Rice "Studies have shown that rice can contain relatively high levels of microplastics, likely due to contamination of soil and irrigation water," Johnson says. Rinsing rice thoroughly before cooking has been found to reduce its microplastic content by approximately 20–40%. Ultra-Processed Foods There's evidence that food processing is a likely source of microplastic contamination. Research has found that highly-processed protein products, such as chicken nuggets, tofu, and plant-based burgers, contain significantly more microplastics per gram than minimally processed products, such as wild Alaska pollock and raw chicken breast, Mallos says. Bottled Water When exposed to heat—such as being left in a hot car—or subjected to physical stress, like squeezing, plastic water bottles can release microplastics into the water. "Among various types, single-use plastic bottles tend to release the highest amounts of microplastics, followed by reusable plastic bottles," Johnson says. "In contrast, stainless steel and glass bottles do not degrade or leach microplastics, making them a safer and more sustainable choice for drinking water." Salt Believe it or not, even salt—a naturally occurring mineral—isn't safe from microplastics. Research has found that salt can contain large amounts of microplastics, reflecting the broader problem of environmental pollution. Himalayan pink salt contains the greatest amounts, followed by black salt and sea salt, Johnson says. Fruits & Vegetables "Due to widespread environmental contamination, fruits and vegetables can contain measurable amounts of microplastics," Johnson says. Some types of produce are more susceptible than others, like root vegetables (such as carrots, potatoes, and beets), because they absorb microplastics from contaminated soil and rainwater through their root systems. But all types of plants can absorb microplastics through their roots. Honey Even honey may be contaminated by microplastics, which is also a concern due to widespread environmental contamination, Johnson says. Plant-Based Foods In the study co-authored by Mallos, microplastic particles were found in tofu, plant-based nuggets, plant-based fish sticks, and plant-based ground beef. Fresh Seafood Microplastics in the ocean accumulate in fish and shellfish, ultimately impacting humans, who consume seafood containing these particles, Johnson says. Bottom-feeding species, such as clams, mussels, oysters, catfish, halibut, flounder, and cod, tend to have higher concentrations of microplastics compared to other marine organisms. Processed Seafood Processed seafood fares no better. Research shows breaded shrimp, pollock fish sticks, and shrimp also contain microplastics, Mallos says. You Might Also Like Insanely Easy Weeknight Dinners To Try This Week 29 Insanely Delicious Vodka Cocktails Solve the daily Crossword