Inverted Nipple and Insurance

 Updated 3/2017--photos and all links (except to my own posts) removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

A recent reader of my inverted nipple post has asked for a reference to give to her insurance company.

"i've also been in contact with my insurance company, and they're telling me that if i can come up with an article proving that the severity of my nipple retraction will most likely prevent me from breast feeding, then they will cover my procedure. if you know of any articles that would be helpful. thanks!"

I have had no luck in finding such a reference. All the ones I have found use terms like may or might or can. Does anyone have such a reference?

Nipple inversion can cause functional problems. The condition can be a source of irritation and inflammation, and it may prevent lactation. (reference #1)

Moderate to severe inversion means that the nipple retracts deeply when the areola is compressed, to a level even with or underneath the areola. A nipple with moderate to severe inversion might make latching-on and breastfeeding difficult, but treatment and deep latch techniques can help. --La Leche League

Here are some links regarding techniques that may (there's that word again, no guarantee) help in successful breastfeeding.

Breast Feeding with Flat or Inverted Nipples -- Breastfeeding Essentials Website
Breastfeeding -- Women's Health.Gov
Breastfeeding with Flat or Inverted Nipples --ask DrSears

The websites of plastic surgeons that I visited have a version of this (credit)

Will my insurance coverage pay for my nipple inversion repair surgery?

Nipple inversion repair is a cosmetic procedure and, therefore, not covered by insurance. ........... In rare cases where severe nipple refraction prevents breastfeeding, insurance may pay for all or part of the procedure.

REFERENCES regarding surgical treatment

1. The Inverted Nipple: Its Grading and Surgical Correction; Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:Volume 104(2)August 1999pp 389-395; Han, Sanghoon M.D.; Hong, Yoon Gi M.D.

2. A Contemporary Correction of Inverted Nipples; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery:Volume 107(2)February 2001pp 511-513; Scholten, Erik Ph.D.

3. Correction of Inverted Nipples with Twisting and Lockiing Principles; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery:Volume 118(7)December 2006pp 1526-1531; Kim, Jeong Tae M.D., Ph.D.; Lim, Young Soo M.D.; Oh, Jung Geun M.D., Ph.D.

4. Simple Technique for Inverted Nipple Correction; Morris Ritz, Ram Silfen, David Morgan and Graeme Southwick ; Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journ, Vol 29, No 1, pp 24-27

5. Surgical Correction of Inverted Nipples Using the Modified Namba or Teimourian Technique; Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 113(1):328-336, January 2004; Lee, Kyung Young M.D.; Cho, Byung Chae M.D.

6. Pictures of Correction Surgery (some may consider them graphic)
7. Nipple Inversion Repair; The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, Washington DC