Does My Breast Implant Have a Warranty?
November 21, 2023
When considering breast implants and breast augmentation, it’s essential to understand the warranty that accompanies them. Breast implant warranties play a vital role in providing patients with peace of mind and assurance regarding the quality and performance of their implants. Understanding the details of your warranty, including the coverage and any limitations, is crucial for a positive and worry-free experience. In this blog, we will explore the topic of breast implant warranties and answer some common questions related to this aspect.
Dr. Joe Gryskiewicz is a renowned and highly experienced plastic surgeon with an impressive track record spanning over 35 years. With a specific focus on breast surgery, he has honed his skills and expertise to deliver exceptional results to his patients.
Breast Implants Warranties
Breast implant warranties provide reassurance to patients regarding the quality and longevity of the implants. A warranty is essentially a contract between the manufacturer and patient, outlining the terms and conditions under which the implants are covered. It serves as a form of protection against potential complications or defects.
Warranty for MENTOR® Breast Implants
MENTOR® Breast Implants come with a lifetime guarantee and are automatically enrolled in the MENTOR® Promise Protection Plan. In the event of a confirmed rupture or deflation, the patient is eligible for up to two replacement breast implants of the same or similar style, at no extra cost, for their lifetime.
If a rupture occurs within 10 years of the initial surgery, the patient may also qualify for financial assistance to cover surgical costs that are not covered by insurance. Additionally, other complications are covered for 10 years with free product replacement.
Warranty Information for Saline Breast Implants
Mentor Standard Advantage ($1,200 toward out-of-pocket costs)
This warranty is free of charge to all patients with MENTOR® Saline-Filled Breast Implant products. Here is what’s included:
- Automatic enrollment in our Lifetime product replacement policy
- Enrollment in this warranty is FREE and automatic; registration is encouraged
- Coverage for 10 years, and up to $1,200 financial assistance for operating room, anesthesia, and surgical charges not covered by insurance
Optional Mentor Enhanced Advantage ($2,400 toward out-of-pocket costs)
This optional warranty is available for saline filled breast implant products and, to be eligible, must be purchased for an enrollment fee of $100 within 45 days from implantation. The Enhanced Advantage replaces the Mentor Standard Advantage, allowing for a total financial reimbursement of up to $2,400.
Here is what’s included:
- Automatic enrollment in our lifetime product replacement policy
- Coverage for 10 years, and up to $2,400 financial assistance for operating room, anesthesia, and surgical charges not covered by insurance
- Free contralateral (opposite side) implant replacement upon surgeon request
What events are covered?
- Deflation due to crease fold failure, patient trauma, or unknown cause
- Loss of valve integrity
What events are not covered?
- Adverse reactions other than deflation
- Removal of intact implants due to capsular contracture, wrinkling, or rippling
- Loss of implant shell integrity resulting from re-operative procedures, open capsulotomy, or closed compression capsulotomy procedures
- Removal of intact implants for size alteration
How To Claim
To file a Mentor Standard Advantage or Enhanced Advantage claim for product replacement and/or financial assistance, your surgeon must contact MENTOR® at 1-866-250-5115 prior to replacement surgery.
Warranty Information for MENTOR® MemoryGel®/MemoryShape® Breast Implants
The Replacement Policy covers specific events for qualifying MENTOR® breast implant products implanted in the United States (including Puerto Rico) as of January 1, 2021. The policy includes:
- Lifetime replacement for rupture: In the event of a qualifying rupture, MENTOR® will replace the product free of charge for the lifetime of the patient
- 10-year replacement for other qualifying events: MENTOR® will replace the covered product free of charge for ten years from the date of implantation for the following events: capsular contracture (baker grade iii or iv), double capsule, and late seroma
The Replacement Policy does not apply to:
- Adverse events other than qualifying rupture or the events mentioned above
- Removal of intact implants for certain reasons such as capsular contracture (Baker Grade I or II)
- Size alteration
- Wrinkling or rippling
- Loss of shell integrity during re-operative procedures
- Open capsulotomy or closed compression capsulotomy procedures
- Damage caused by sharp instruments
Additionally, the product must be returned to the MENTOR® Product Evaluation Department as per the Replacement Policy.
Basic Plan
Under the Basic Plan, MENTOR® provides coverage for replacement surgery costs directly related to unexpected ruptures and capsular contracture for a specified period of time.
For unexpected ruptures of MENTOR® MemoryGel® Breast Implants and MENTOR® MemoryShape® Silicone Breast Implants, the Basic Plan covers up to a maximum aggregate amount of $3,500 in unreimbursed, out-of-pocket costs for replacement surgery within ten (10) years from the date of implantation.
For patients with Baker Grade III or IV capsular contracture of any style or profile included in the MemoryGel® Family of Breast Implants or MENTOR® MemoryShape® Breast Implants, the Basic Plan covers up to a maximum aggregate amount of $2,000 in unreimbursed, out-of-pocket costs for replacement surgery within two (2) years from the date of implantation. To qualify for this payment, the patient must not have a prior history of capsular contracture.
In cases where a patient experiences both a qualifying rupture and another qualifying event simultaneously, such as Baker Grade III or IV capsular contracture, MENTOR® will make a single payment of up to the maximum aggregate amount of $3,500. This payment applies regardless of whether the patient undergoes unilateral or bilateral replacement surgery.
The Basic Plan does not apply to:
- Adverse events other than qualifying ruptures or baker grade III or IV capsular contracture as diagnosed by the attending surgeon
- Removal of intact implants for capsular contracture graded as baker grade I or II by the attending surgeon, or for size alteration
- Removal of intact implants due to issues like wrinkling or rippling is not covered. Loss of shell integrity caused by or during re-operative procedures is not included in the coverage.
- Loss of shell integrity resulting from open capsulotomy or closed compression capsulotomy procedures is not covered.
- Loss of shell integrity resulting from damage by sharp instruments, as determined by the mentor product evaluation department’s analysis, is not covered.
- The plan requires the product to be returned to the mentor product evaluation department in accordance with the replacement policy.
Enhanced Plan
The Enhanced Plan is available for MENTOR® breast implants acquired directly from MENTOR® and implanted in the United States (including Puerto Rico) as of January 1, 2021. Patients without a prior history of capsular contracture can choose to purchase the Enhanced Plan within 45 days of surgery for an enrollment fee of $300.
Under the Enhanced Plan, patients are eligible for a one-time maximum payment of $3,500 toward operating room, surgeon, and anesthesia fees that are not covered by insurance or waived by the healthcare provider. This coverage is provided for ten (10) years from the date of implantation and applies specifically to events such as Baker Grade III or IV capsular contracture, double capsule, or late seroma.
Patients enrolled in the Enhanced Plan are automatically enrolled in the Basic Plan as well. In the case of a patient experiencing simultaneous qualifying events, such as a rupture and capsular contracture, MENTOR® will make a single payment of up to $3,500, regardless of whether the events occur unilaterally or bilaterally.
At the surgeon’s request, MENTOR® will also provide replacements for affected MemoryGel® Breast Implants or MemoryShape® Breast Implants with any commercially available MENTOR® breast implant. This includes replacements for both the affected breast and the contralateral implant, provided that the contralateral implant is a MENTOR® product. No charge is incurred for this courtesy, except as specified in the Replacement Policy.
The Enhanced Plan does not apply to:
- Adverse events other than those specified
- Removal of intact implants for capsular contracture graded as baker grade I or II
- Removal for size alteration or issues like wrinkling or rippling
- Loss of shell integrity caused by re-operative procedures or certain surgical techniques
- Loss of shell integrity resulting from sharp instrument damage as determined by the mentor product evaluation department
- Failure to return the product to the mentor product evaluation department as per the replacement policy
- Patients with a prior history of capsular contracture (baker grades I-IV).
How To Claim
To file a warranty claim, the surgeon must report qualifying events to MENTOR® within the specified eligibility time frame. They can do so by contacting the MENTOR® Customer Quality Department at 866-250-5115. The department will assist in reporting the event and provide a return kit for the explanted product.
Warranty for MOTIVA® Breast Implants
All Motiva® Implants are covered by the Always Confident Warranty® against rupture for the lifetime of the device and by the Product Replacement Policy in the event of capsular contracture (Baker grades III and IV) for a period of 10 years.
In addition to the Always Confident Warranty® and Product Replacement Policy, Establishment Labs offers the First Year Free Coverage, 2Y Extended Warranty Program, and the 5Y Extended Warranty Program.
The First Year Free Coverage is an additional program offered by Motiva® for breast implants with Q Inside® Safety Technology. This program is free of charge and can be enrolled within the first 90 days after surgical implantation of the applicable Motiva® breast implants. The coverage is valid for 12 months from the date of surgical implantation.
During the First Year Free Coverage Period, enrolled patients receive replacement breast implants and up to $2,500 USD of financial assistance for a First Year Coverage Event. This coverage replaces the Always Confident Warranty® and Product Replacement Policy for the duration of the First Year Free Coverage Period.
The 2Y Extended Warranty Program is an additional program offered by Motiva® for breast implants without Q Inside®. This program can be purchased for $100 USD within the first 90 days after surgical implantation of the applicable Motiva® breast implants. The coverage will be in effect for 24 months from the date of surgical implantation, superseding the Always Confident Warranty and Product Replacement Policy during this period.
The 2Y Extended Warranty Program provides enrolled patients with replacement Motiva® breast implants and up to $1,000 USD of financial assistance for a 2Y Coverage Event. If a rupture or capsular contracture with Baker grades III or IV occurs during the 2Y Extended Warranty Coverage Period, the applicable warranty programs and the 2Y Extended Warranty Program will be applied to the affected Motiva® breast implants.
The 5Y Extended Warranty Program is an additional program offered by Motiva® specifically for breast implants with Q Inside®. This program can be purchased for $200 USD within the first 90 days after surgical implantation of the applicable Motiva® breast implants. The coverage will be in effect for 60 months from the date of surgical implantation, superseding the Always Confident Warranty and Product Replacement Policy during this period.
The 5Y Extended Warranty Program provides enrolled patients with replacement implants and up to $2,500 USD of financial assistance for a 5Y Coverage Event. If a rupture or capsular contracture with Baker grades III or IV occurs during the 5Y Extended Warranty Coverage Period, the applicable warranty programs and the 5Y Extended Warranty Program will be applied to the affected Motiva® breast implants.
Breast Implant Warranty FAQs
Do warranties cover revision surgeries or additional procedures?
Warranty coverage generally focuses on complications directly related to the implants themselves. Revision surgeries or additional procedures may or may not be covered, depending on the warranty terms. It’s important to review the warranty carefully or consult with your surgeon to understand the coverage for such scenarios.
What happens if my implant warranty expires and I encounter a problem?
Once the warranty expires, any complications or issues that arise will not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. However, it’s advisable to consult with your plastic surgeon, as they may provide guidance or recommend suitable options for addressing the problem.
Will insurance cover the cost of breast implant removal?
Insurance coverage for breast implant removal can vary depending on the specific circumstances and your insurance provider. In some cases, if the removal is medically necessary due to complications, insurance may cover a portion or all of the procedure. It is advisable to consult with your insurance provider and plastic surgeon to understand the coverage options available to you.
Further Reading About Breast Surgery
Medical References about Breast Implant
