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Statutory health insurance covers the costs of lipedema operations!
In the future, statutory health insurance will cover the costs of liposuction for lipedema. A decision in Berlin is causing changes.
Statutory health insurance covers the costs of lipedema operations!
Big news for women with lipedema: Statutory health insurance companies in Germany will in future cover the costs of liposuction, regardless of the stage of the disease. This was decided on July 17, 2025 by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). Radio Bielefeld reported. Until now, the regulation was such that takeover was only possible from advanced stage III. However, affected women can now breathe a sigh of relief because liposuction is classified as a regular service under statutory health insurance.
What does this mean specifically for patients? In retrospect, lipedema is a chronic fat distribution disorder that almost exclusively affects women. It is often accompanied by painful accumulations of fat on the legs and arms, which cause not only physical but also psychological problems. Until now, many women have suffered from restricted movement and the associated psychological pressure. The G-BA’s decision is therefore an important step towards a better quality of life for those affected.
Conditions for the assumption of costs
However, there are some conditions that must be met for the costs to be covered. Women must first have tried conservative therapies such as compression and exercise therapies for at least six months without this leading to significant relief of symptoms. In addition, if the body mass index (BMI) is over 35, appropriate obesity treatments must be carried out beforehand. Repeat operations are also not covered by the cost coverage.
Additional regulations apply for further implementation. The treating doctors must demonstrate certain qualifications, and the operation planning and postoperative aftercare must also be set out in a quality assurance guideline. These measures are important to ensure the quality of treatment and to provide patients with the best possible support. However, the new regulation will only come into force after legal review by the Federal Ministry of Health and publication in the Federal Gazette. These steps could last until January 1, 2026, when the fee figures for billing in the outpatient area also have to be determined Health insurance information.
The G-BA's decision is based on an initiative by patient representatives who have been fighting for more recognition of the disease and suitable treatment options for years. Most recently, the G-BA postponed a decision because the studies available at the time were considered inadequate. The study that was then initiated was able to confirm the benefits of liposuction and led to the current decision.
For many affected women, this regulation finally opens up new perspectives in dealing with their illness. This makes it clear: health is not a luxury good, but a right for everyone. There is great anticipation about the implementation, and many hope that their quality of life will increase significantly.