Bill
HB 56
Delaware requires insurers to cover surgical removal of excess skin after weight loss when medically necessary, shifting costs from individuals to insurance pools.
HB 56 amends Delaware insurance law to require health insurance coverage for the surgical removal of excess skin and subcutaneous tissue (panniculectomy and brachioplasty procedures). The bill mandates coverage when these procedures are medically necessary, rather than treating them as purely cosmetic surgeries typically excluded from insurance plans.
This directly affects healthcare costs for Delaware residents who have significant weight loss—whether from bariatric surgery, medical treatment, or lifestyle changes—and experience physical complications from excess skin. The policy shift could reduce out-of-pocket expenses for affected individuals, though it will likely increase insurance premiums across the board as insurers pass costs to all policyholders. It addresses a gap where procedures medically necessary for some patients were classified as elective.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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