The surge in cosmetic surgery and growing acceptance of it is visible through the television shows and advertisements found across all types of media outlets, but most procedures are elective  - meaning they are paid for out of the patient’s own pocket.  In the Western New York region, however, plastic surgery for government workers and their families is among the few regions in the entire nation where the procedures are covered at the taxpayer’s expense. 

The Buffalo Niagara region is among the few in the nation where many health insurance contracts for public employees include elective cosmetic surgery, and in the past two years, public employees in the area obtained more than $5 million worth of elective cosmetic surgery that was all paid for by the taxpayers. 

In addition to Buffalo teachers, police and firefighters and their families, as well as Niagara County government workers and their relatives, many suburban school districts offer elective cosmetic surgery insurance.  A few towns in Erie and Niagara counties also offer elective cosmetic surgery insurance, according to The Buffalo News.

Plastic surgery coverage in public contracts dates back at least 20 years, when Western New York BlueCross and BlueShield included the benefit in traditional plans at no extra charge, but many are questioning why the plans even offer elective cosmetic surgery insurance, including cosmetic surgeons, especially at a time everyone is concerned about health care costs.  Insurers began charging for elective plastic surgery insurance through a rider – a separate plan that can be purchased in addition to the standard plan –as health care costs increased. 

Unlike in the past, more and more plastic surgery procedures are being performed on taxpayer dollars as popularity of the entire field increases and generates more publicity.  The Buffalo News article is expected to bring more focus to the controversial coverage.