One of the first questions that breast augmentation patients ask is, “Are breast implants covered under warranty?” Each FDA-approved breast implant manufacturing company has its own warranty for breast implants. Depending on the manufacturer, the standard warranty will cover the cost of the implant plus a certain amount of surgical financial assistance for a period of time after the procedure.
At the Dr. Michael A. Jazayeri Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, we prefer to use Mentor® breast implants for breast augmentation. Mentor offers warranties for both its saline-filled breast implants and its MemoryGel® and MemoryShape® silicone breast implants. In this two-part blog series, we will provide you with some more detailed information regarding the kinds of coverage you can expect for your breast implants when you undergo breast augmentation with Dr. Jazayeri.
Below are the warranties Mentor® offers to patients who receive their MemoryGel® or MemoryShape® silicone breast implants.
Warranties for MemoryGel® and MemoryShape® Silicone Breast Implants
Mentor® offers patients two warranties for its MemoryGel® and MemoryShape® silicone breast implants: the Standard Warranty and the Enhanced Warranty.
Standard Warranty
Lifetime Warranty for Implant Rupture
In the event of a qualifying rupture (defined as loss of shell integrity) of a MemoryGel® or MemoryShape® silicone breast implant, Mentor® will replace the product, free of charge, for the lifetime of the patient. The explanted ruptured product must be returned to the Mentor® Product Evaluation Department within 60 days to qualify for the free of charge replacement product.
Coverage for Mammary Prostheses
Unexpected rupture of a Mentor® MemoryGel® Silicone-Filled Mammary Prosthesis or MemoryShape® Silicone-Filled Mammary Prosthesis EXCEPT when caused by or occurring during re-operative procedures, open capsulotomy, or closed compression capsulotomy procedures.
Financial Assistance Coverage for Silicone Implant Rupture
Mentor® will pay up to $3,500 maximum aggregate amount toward unreimbursed, out-of-pocket costs directly related to replacement surgery (whether unilateral or bilateral) necessitated by an unexpected rupture of any Mentor® MemoryGel® Silicone Breast Implant or any Mentor® MemoryShape® Silicone Breast Implant.
Replacement Policy Additional Coverage
Patients experiencing their primary augmentation or primary reconstruction date of implant on or after October 6, 2014, automatically have replacement product coverage for three years from the date of implantation for the following events:
- Capsular contracture Baker Grade III or Grade IV, as diagnosed by the attending surgeon.
- Double capsule, when the initial capsule of scar tissue around the implant separates to form two layers of fibrous tissue surrounding the implant.
- Late-forming seroma, defined as a clinically symptomatic seroma that develops at least 12 months after the initial qualifying procedure with no intervening surgical procedures performed on the breast between the primary surgery and the development of the seroma. This coverage applies to silicone gel implants only.
- Contralateral implant replacement: At the surgeon’s request, Mentor® will also provide a replacement of a Mentor® MemoryGel® Breast Implant or MemoryShape® Breast Implant to use to replace the contralateral (opposite side) implant, provided that the contralateral breast implant is a Mentor® product.
Enhanced Warranty
For patients who receive MemoryGel® or MemoryShape® silicone breast implants on or after October 6, 2014, Mentor® offers an enhanced warranty with a one-time enrollment fee of $200. Patients will be covered as explained above in the standard warranty but will also receive the following benefits:
Replacement Policy Time Limit Extension for Additional Coverage
The time limit extends from three to ten years from date of implantation for the events of Baker Grade III or Grade IV capsular contracture, double capsule, and late-forming seroma.
One-Time Per Patient Maximum of $3,500 Financial Assistance
This benefit extends toward operating room, surgeon, and anesthesia fees not paid, payable by any form of insurance, or waived by the healthcare provider, for ten years from date of implant for the events of capsular contracture, double capsule, or late-forming seroma as described above.
One Payment Up to the Maximum Aggregate Amount of $3,500
If a patient simultaneously experiences a qualifying rupture with another qualifying event such as capsular contracture, Mentor® will make only one payment up to the maximum aggregate amount of $3,500 regardless of whether patient experiences more than one event simultaneously and also regardless of whether replacement surgery is performed unilaterally or bilaterally.
In our next blog, Warranties for Mentor® Breast Implants: Part 2, we discuss Mentor’s warranties for its saline-filled breast implants and what is NOT covered in any of Mentor® warranties.
If you are considering enhancing the size and shape of your breasts, we encourage you to contact Dr. Michael A. Jazayeri Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery to schedule your private consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael A. Jazayeri. Call us today at (714) 834-0101, or fill out our online contact form for more information. We look forward to helping you achieve the breast appearance you desire.