Liposuction recognised by health insurance companies: Changes for lipedema sufferers

We know that the issue of health insurance coverage is a major topic not only in Germany – associated with both hopes and uncertainties. That is why we would like to summarise the current status following the G-BA ruling of July 17, 2025 (Federal Joint Committee, Germany’s highest decision-making body in statutory healthcare) as clearly and transparently as possible and address many of the questions we have received.

What has changed as a result of the G-BA decision of July 17, 2025?

1. Liposuction is recognized as a treatment for lipedema regardless of the stage – this is a very important step, as it proves the effectiveness of the treatment and also increases acceptance of liposuction as a treatment option for early-stage lipedema.
2. Doctors from the fields of internal medicine & angiology, physical & rehabilitative medicine, dermatology, and phlebology are authorized to make a diagnosis in accordance with the four-eyes principle.
   Previously, there was no specific mention of this. Unfortunately, the new regulation does not make it any easier to find a doctor who can make a diagnosis. As practicing specialists, we cannot make a diagnosis that would lead to the use of services covered by statutory health insurance. However, this gives you additional diagnostic certainty.
3. Psychological factors should be considered as part of the medical history.
   We expressly welcome this and have already been taking it into account for years with our LIPOCOACHES® service as part of our holistic approach.
4. Qualification of surgeons: independent performance of 50 liposuction procedures for lipedema or 20 within 2 years under the supervision of an experienced physician:
   As trained specialists, LIPOCURA® surgeons have already performed at least 50 liposuction procedures for lipedema during their additional training phase and independently perform up to 120 procedures per year. An experienced LIPOTEAM is at your side in our clinics.
5. During liposuction, up to 10% (previously 8%) of body weight may be removed.
   From the outset, our LIPOCURA® method has been based on removing up to 10% of body weight per operation – this means fewer operations overall, all of which are performed on an inpatient basis under general anesthesia for safety reasons. Note: According to the current status, health insurance companies plan to only recognize outpatient liposuction with a maximum suction volume of 3 liters for stages I and II.

Significant changes in the new decision concern the personal requirements of patients, as these are now once again more closely aligned with BMI and waist-to-height ratio:

What requirements or criteria must be met for health insurance to cover the costs?

Several criteria must be met for liposuction to be covered:

• At least 6 months of conservative therapy (flat-knit compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise therapy, healthy lifestyle) with complete documentation
• No weight gain in the six months prior to the liposuction recommendation (documentation required)
• For a BMI between 32 and 35, the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is used as evidence of disproportion
• For BMI values >35 kg/m², obesity must be treated first

Which services are not covered by statutory health insurance?

These regulations apply specifically to patients insured under the German statutory health insurance system. For international patients or those with private insurance, coverage rules may differ.

Statutory health insurance companies only cover procedures on the legs and arms, including anesthesia, inpatient monitoring (if necessary), and standard aftercare. The following are not covered:

• Liposuction on the abdomen, back, buttocks, chest, or face
• Corrective surgery on areas that have already been treated
• Skin tightening after liposuction

Current status of discussions with health insurance companies: For stages I and II, only outpatient treatment with a maximum of 3 liters of suction volume is currently planned.

What does this mean for LIPOCURA® patients?

LIPOCURA® is a purely private clinic that operates at the highest medical and aesthetic level. The numerous additional services that are necessary to achieve the individual LIPOCURA® result are not covered by statutory health insurance – and are therefore not offered in contract clinics. As things stand at present, billing via statutory health insurance is not possible. However, we are closely monitoring further developments and examining all options.

Is there a possibility of partial coverage?

Unfortunately, whether and to what extent your insurance will cover the costs is entirely at the discretion of the statutory health insurance system – we have no influence on this and no direct insight into it. We recommend that you actively contact your insurance company yourself before planning treatment to clarify the scope of possible reimbursement. Please understand that we at LIPOCURA® cannot communicate directly with health insurance companies.

How does the application process with the health insurance company work?

If you would like to claim health insurance benefits, the G-BA recommends the following steps:

1. Diagnosis of lipedema by a specialist in internal medicine and angiology, physical and rehabilitative medicine, or dermatology and venereology, or with additional training in phlebology
2. Document conservative therapy in full (flat knit compression, lymphatic drainage, exercise, nutrition, mental health, weight stability over 6 months)
3. Submit an application to your health insurance company with medical support
4. Indications and performance of liposuction: by specialists in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery, other specialists in the field of surgery, and specialists in dermatology and venereology.

Why do many patients still choose liposuction at LIPOCURA®?

Specialization & experience

Only specialists who have undergone intensive training in the specialized LIPOCURA® method work for LIPOCURA®. Each doctor has participated in at least 50 operations before performing liposuction on their own.

During their training, they learn from 10 years of experience and insights gained from over 10,000 patients. This experience is important in order to remove diseased tissue as precisely and comprehensively as possible and prevent recurrence. Our successful method is based on a small number of surgeries and the removal of up to 10% of body weight per surgery. This requires inpatient treatment and surgery under general anesthesia, which is performed in specialized clinics by an experienced LIPO team.

Aesthetic standards

Our patients’ comfort and freedom from pain are our top priorities. At the same time, we know that a harmonious appearance is also part of a genuine quality of life. Regaining control over one’s own body—free from pain and without visible signs of the disease—is an equally important goal for us. With scar-minimizing skin tightening using Cool Plasma (Particularly tissue-friendly treatment using plasma energy), individually tailored methods, and our focus on natural contours, we achieve results that are both medically and aesthetically convincing.

Our excellent before-and-after results at all stages and the high demand from corrective patients from Germany and abroad reinforce our aesthetic standards.

See for yourself on our social media channels or in the LIPOBLOG.

Holistic treatment

In addition to liposuction, our services include comprehensive surgical planning and documentation using 3D scanning, support from our LIPOCOACH® (a trained psychologist and former patient), special LIPOPHYSIOs, and comprehensive information on nutrition, fitness, and aftercare. Of course, we ensure that the first lymphatic drainage takes place within 24 hours after the surgery and that your surgeon is available 24 hours a day for urgent matters. We also put on the included compression garment during the surgery and discharge you with a comprehensive aftercare package.

In-depth knowledge of the disease

Thanks to our many years of experience and participation in and support of studies, we know that lipedema patients can suffer from lipedema-like symptoms beyond the extremities. These include: abdomen, back, buttocks, chest, or face. We have been operating on these areas for years with very good results, which not only relieve symptoms but also meet the highest aesthetic standards.

Do you have any questions?
Our specialists are available for an initial consultation for a personal discussion.

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