Why do hospitals consider hernia repair "cosmetic surgery"?

Hernia surgery: Would not be cosmetic unless combined with other plastic surgery abdominoplasty procedures. Also hospitals in general would have no reason to qualify a type of surgery, but a medical insurance company will make determinations as to what they may consider to be a necessary surgery or a "cosmetic" procedure.

It isn't.: Hernia repair surgery is functional, necessary surgery. Unless you are having a cosmetic procedure at the same time - like a tummy tuck - it shouldn't be classified this way. Now, if you had a tummy tuck, and the surgeon found a small, incidental hernia and fixed it - well, that's still 99% cosmetic.

They Don't.: Hospitals and insurance companies do not consider hernias as “cosmetic surgery”. Hernia repair is generally considered a medically necessary procedure given that complications associated with hernias can be quite serious. I hope this helps.

I dont think...: ...They do. It is functional, not cosmetic.

Blame insurance: It's not then hospitals but the insurance companies that set the rules.

Hernia: Any hernia, large or small can become strangulated. In this situation a portion the intestine which is trapped within the hernia is strangled and its blood supply is cut off. Losing its blood supply the intestine becomes gangrenous and then ruptures. Ruptured intestine is as bad or worse as a ruptured appendix and requires emergency surgery.

Not Cosmetic: Hernia repair should not be considered “cosmetic surgery”; consequences of incarceration or strangulation of a hernia can be quite serious. I would suggest that you make sure that there has not been some type of miscommunication.