I've recently had surgery for lipodystrophy (ultrasound assisted liposuction removal of a large and restricting "buffalo hump"). I'd like to make a claim to my insurance company for this very beneficial surgery and see how they handle it but my surgeon is having a problem finding the proper medical code to make the claim. Can you help us?

Unfortunately, I can't help you with a code number. Perhaps your physician has collegues with prior experience in this area or is part of a network of HIV specialists who can assit him. My experience with insurance companies is that they are quick to deny this claim as cosmetic. Your physician will need to build a strong case as to the medical necessity of this procedure. Usually, it involves how this hump impacted your physical functioning or threatened other organs. I'm not sure if a psychiatric componet is enough for them to pay this claim.

My experience in this situation is also limited. I am not aware of an insurance code that can be used for billing purposes. I would add that the long term success of hump removal has not yet been fully studied, and therefore I would not consider it as the routine standard of care. I am glad to hear that you are pleased with your result.