Areola Tattoo and Insurance Coverage — What You Need to Know

For many women and men who have undergone breast surgery, an areola tattoo is the final step in feeling whole again. Whether it’s following a mastectomy, breast lift, or reconstruction, a 3D areola tattoo recreates natural color, dimension, and confidence. But one of the most common questions we hear at Imagine You New in St. Petersburg, Florida is: “Does insurance cover areola tattoos?”

The short answer is — sometimes. But let’s break down exactly how it works and what clients need to know before booking their appointment.

Is an Areola Tattoo Covered by Insurance?

In many cases, areola tattooing after breast reconstruction is considered part of the

reconstructive process, not a cosmetic procedure. Because of that, insurance can cover it — but only when it’s performed by a licensed medical professional or an approved provider who can submit insurance claims under certain billing codes.

Unfortunately, most tattoo artists and medical tattoo specialists cannot directly bill insurance because they are not credentialed under a medical practice or don’t have an NPI (National Provider Identifier) number. However, there are still ways clients can get reimbursed.

How Clients Can Get Reimbursed for an Areola Tattoo

At Imagine You New, we provide clients with the necessary superbill or documentation to submit to their insurance company for possible reimbursement. This includes:

• A detailed description of the service (3D areola tattoo / areola restoration)

• The CPT codes that may apply for areola repigmentation

• The provider’s license number and business credentials

• An invoice showing proof of payment

Clients can then submit this documentation to their insurance company or flexible spending account (FSA) for possible partial or full reimbursement.

Who Can Bill Insurance for an Areola Tattoo

Here’s how billing typically works depending on who performs the procedure:

• Surgeons, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants — can bill insurance directly because they are credentialed medical providers with NPI numbers.

• Tattoo artists or paramedical tattoo artists — typically cannot bill insurance themselves, but can partner with a medical office that does.

• Collaborations with surgeons or medspas — many medical tattoo artists, including those trained at the International Institute of Medical Tattoo Science and Artistry, partner with surgeons to perform areola restoration under their supervision, allowing the procedure to be billed properly.

If you’re a plastic surgeon or medspa owner in Florida, Georgia, or North Carolina, adding areola tattooing to your services allows you to offer a complete reconstruction experience for your patients — and create an additional reimbursable service line for your practice.

How Areola Tattooing Works at Imagine You New

At Imagine You New in St. Petersburg, Florida, we specialize in advanced 3D areola tattoos that look natural and realistic. Every tattoo is custom-colored and hand-shaded to match the individual’s skin tone and surgical history.

Our artist, Bianca, has worked on hundreds of breast cases including reconstruction after mastectomy, implant surgery, breast reduction, lift, and necrosis recovery. Many of our clients travel from Sarasota, Clearwater, Tampa, and Orlando for this specialized procedure.

If you’re considering an areola tattoo, we recommend contacting your insurance provider ahead of time to ask about reimbursement for CPT code 11920 (Tattooing, intradermal introduction of pigment; single area) and whether areola repigmentation is covered under your reconstructive benefits.

Why Proper Documentation Matters

Even if your insurance doesn’t pay upfront, having the right documentation gives you the best chance of reimbursement. Our office provides you with:

• Procedure codes relevant to areola repigmentation

• Clinical notes and receipts

• Before-and-after photos (if requested by your provider)

• A signed letter of medical necessity, if required

These help establish that the tattoo is part of a reconstructive, not cosmetic, process — which often changes the outcome of insurance claims.

Book Your Areola Tattoo Appointment

If you’re ready to complete your breast journey with natural, realistic results, contact Imagine You New today. We work with clients across St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Sarasota, and Orlando who are seeking skilled medical tattooing and areola restoration services.

📍 Imagine You New — St. Petersburg, Florida📞 727-729-9069🌐 www.imagineyounew.com

For medical professionals or surgeons who want to bring this service into their practice, learn more about our hands-on areola tattoo and medical tattoo courses at:🎓 The International Institute of Medical Tattoo Science & Artistry🌐 www.medtattooeducation.com📞 727-504-4664