Medicare patients who want to get Botox or other cosmetic procedures in some states will need to seek prior approval from the federal government starting Dec. 15.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will launch its five-year prior authorization demonstration project for select Ambulatory Surgical Center services in 10 states: New York, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Ohio, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and California.
The services that will need prior authorization are blepharoplasty for upper eyelids, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, panniculectomy to remove fat in a patient’s lower abdomen, rhinoplasty (nose job), and vein ablation to treat varicose veins.
While these procedures can be used to treat medical conditions, they are mostly performed for cosmetic reasons….