Plastic Surgery to Correct "Moon Face"

Medicare excludes coverage for surgical procedures performed solely to improve appearance under §1862(a)(10), with limited exceptions for prompt repair of accidental injury and improvement of a malformed body member that coincidentally serves a cosmetic purpose. Surgery to correct 'moon face' caused by cortisone (corticosteroid) therapy does not meet those exceptions and is not covered.

"Surgery for the prompt repair of an accidental injury is an exception to the cosmetic surgery exclusion and may be covered."

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