The truth of the matter is that few private health insurance companies are routinely covering the cost of these procedures, even for Sculptra and Radiesse, which have been approved for use in HIV-positive people with facial lipoatrophy. At this point in time, these procedures aren't generally covered by Medicaid or ADAP programs.
This is not to say that some people haven't had luck getting their insurance companies to pay for facial fillers. Working with their doctors, HIV-positive people with lipoatrophy have been able to convince their insurance companies that they require the facial filler to restore their facial features lost to HIV treatment, not simply for cosmetic purposes. This is very similar to the successful argument made by many women with breast cancer, who required a mastectomy, and request that breast reconstruction be a covered expense.
It is with hope that the medical establishment, particularly the HIV medical establishment, will universally accept these facial fillers as necessary restorative therapies for HIV-positive people with lipoatrophy. Fortunately, this is already happening. This may eventually result in routine coverage of these products and procedures by private and public health insurers.
Unfortunately, for many HIV-positive people with facial lipoatrophy, these products—and the expertise needed to inject these products safely and effectively—is and out-of-pocket and costly expense.
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