Is eyelid correction reimbursed by health insurance?

As a rule, cosmetic upper eyelid correction is not reimbursed. Eye surgeon Dr Dulaimi explains when your health insurer might cover it and how the process works.


At a glance

  • A cosmetic upper eyelid correction is generally not reimbursed by Dutch health insurers; exceptions are rare.
  • Only when the procedure is medically necessary, for example because the excess skin clearly limits your field of vision, your insurer may reimburse the costs; your insurer decides.
  • Looks Clinics has no contracts with Dutch health insurers: you settle the treatment directly and may submit our invoice yourself; what you get back depends on your policy conditions.

Watch the video: cosmetic or medical, explained by Dr Dulaimi

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What you hear in the video

Is an eyelid correction reimbursed by your health insurer? The short answer: an upper eyelid correction is a cosmetic procedure and is generally not reimbursed. We believe you should simply know that in advance.

Whether an eyelid correction is reimbursed does not depend on your insurer, but on the type of treatment and the degree to which it affects you. There are exceptions, but they are rare. Only if the procedure is medically necessary, for example because the excess skin clearly limits your field of vision, your health insurer may reimburse the costs. Your insurer assesses that.

Looks Clinics is a healthcare provider without contracts with Dutch health insurers. This means we do not submit claims on your behalf. You settle the directly treatment, usually by card, and receive an invoice from us.

Do you think there may be a medical indication in your case? Then it works like this. One: you pay for the treatment first. Two: you submit our invoice to your health insurer. Three: what you get back depends on your policy conditions. So please check with your insurer beforehand.

Not sure whether there is a medical indication in your case? We will discuss it honestly during the free, no-obligation consultation. That way you know where you stand in advance, financially as well.

Every recovery is personal. All risks are discussed with you during the consultation.

Cosmetic or medical?

Whether an eyelid correction is reimbursed does not depend on your insurer, but on the type of treatment and the degree to which it affects you. Most upper eyelid corrections are performed for aesthetic reasons: a fresher, more rested look. That is a cosmetic procedure and falls outside the cover of Dutch health insurance. A common medical reason for an eyelid correction is excess skin of the upper eyelids that limits the field of vision; this can lead to tired eyes and headaches. Only in that case may there be a medical indication, and your health insurer assesses according to your policy conditions whether the costs are reimbursed. Ptosis is something different: a drooping eyelid caused by a weakened eyelid muscle. This can also impair vision, but requires a different assessment and treatment. Read our blog: is an eyelid correction medical or cosmetic?

How it works if there may be a medical indication

  1. You pay for the treatment first. Looks Clinics has no contracts with Dutch health insurers and does not submit claims on your behalf; you settle directly, usually by card, and receive an invoice.
  2. You submit our invoice to your health insurer.
  3. What you get back depends on your policy conditions.

Please check with your insurer beforehand. If you are not sure whether there is a medical indication in your case, we will discuss it honestly during the free introductory consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Is eyelid surgery covered by Dutch health insurance?

A cosmetic upper eyelid correction is generally not reimbursed by Dutch health insurers; exceptions are rare. Only when the procedure is medically necessary, for example because the excess skin clearly limits your field of vision, your insurer may reimburse the costs; your insurer decides. Looks Clinics has no contracts with Dutch health insurers: you settle the treatment directly and may submit our invoice yourself; what you get back depends on your policy conditions. If you are not sure whether there is a medical indication in your case, we discuss it during the free introductory consultation.

Will my eyelid correction be reimbursed by my insurer?

Whether your eyelid correction is reimbursed does not depend on your insurer, but on the type of treatment and the extent to which the condition troubles you. Upper eyelid correction is a cosmetic procedure and is generally not reimbursed. There are exceptions, but they rarely occur. Because we are a non-contracted healthcare provider, we do not invoice your health insurer directly. In principle, you pay for the care provided immediately after your appointment by debit card at the reception desk, unless other arrangements have been made with you. You therefore first pay for the treatment yourself. You can then submit the invoice that you receive from us to your health insurer. What you get back from your health insurer depends on your insurance conditions.

How much does an eyelid correction cost?

At Looks Clinics, you pay € 1,750 for an upper eyelid correction (both eyes). A lower eyelid correction (both eyes) costs €1,750, and the combination of upper and lower eyelid correction costs €3,500. These prices include aftercare and associated check-ups, so you know exactly what an eyelid correction will cost beforehand. The introductory consultation is free of charge and without obligation. View all rates on our rates page.

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