Costs & insurance
What lipoedema treatment costs
Your costs depend on your treatment – and on where you are insured. Here is an overview for self-pay patients and for patients insured in Germany or the Netherlands.
How your costs are calculated
A clear cost estimate after your consultation
The costs depend on the extent of the treatment and the number of sessions. After your initial consultation you receive a detailed cost breakdown – usually on the same day. No surprises, no hidden costs.
Under the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ) we are required to charge a fee of €30 for the medical consultation of about one hour. For self-pay treatment, payment in instalments is possible – just ask us in your consultation.
Your situation
Who pays for the treatment?
That depends on where and how you are insured. We will explain your options in the consultation.
Self-pay
You receive a detailed cost estimate after your initial consultation. Payment in instalments is possible.
Insured in Germany
Since October 2025, liposuction for lipoedema has been covered by German statutory health insurance if the requirements are met – with surgery at NATIONALKLINIK Wertheim.
Insured in the Netherlands
Reimbursement depends on the policy conditions and medical criteria. Please check with your health insurer.
Insured elsewhere?
We cannot make any statement about insurers in other countries. Please ask your insurer whether it will cover the costs – and ask us about the costs of your treatment as a self-pay patient.
Medical or aesthetic
Which areas count as medical
This distinction matters above all if you have German statutory health insurance: only medical treatment can be covered.
Statutory cover possible (NATIONALKLINIK Wertheim)
Medical treatment
The typical lipoedema areas:
- Legs (thighs & lower legs)
- Knees
- Arms (upper arms & forearms)
With a confirmed diagnosis and all requirements met, these treatments are covered for patients with German statutory health insurance.
Self-pay
Aesthetic treatment
Not covered by statutory health insurance:
- Abdomen & flanks
- Back
- Buttocks (where purely aesthetic)
These areas can be treated as an aesthetic additional treatment at your own expense. With combined treatment, we keep medical and aesthetic services clearly separate in the invoice.
Flexible & no obligation
Your consultation – the way you want it
Get to know us – in person, by phone or by video. Every consultation is 100% without obligation.
If you are insured in Germany
When German statutory health insurance pays
Following the decision of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) of July 2025, liposuction for lipoedema has been covered by German statutory health insurance since October 2025 – in all stages, if these requirements are met:
1
Confirmed diagnosis
Lipoedema must be diagnosed by a specialist in Angiology, Dermatology or Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, or by a doctor with the additional qualification in Phlebology – with a written report.
2
Conservative therapy
6 months of prescribed and documented conservative therapy (compression, lymphatic drainage, exercise therapy) without sufficient improvement – and without weight gain during this time.
3
BMI of no more than 35
Your body mass index must not exceed 35 – between 32 and 35 only if your waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is appropriate for your age.
4
Two-doctor principle
The diagnosis is made by a different doctor from the one who operates; only then does the surgeon decide whether surgery is indicated.
Surgery at NATIONALKLINIK Wertheim
We carry out operations covered by German statutory health insurance at our NATIONALKLINIK Wertheim. We coordinate the documentation of your therapy and tell you which specialist can make the diagnosis. Allow about 8–12 months from the initial consultation to surgery.
In the Netherlands
Treatment in Waalre
In Waalre near Eindhoven, we treat you at QUOLE Aesthetics in Medisch Centrum Waalre. For people insured in the Netherlands, reimbursement depends on the policy conditions and medical criteria – please check with your health insurer.
For people with German statutory health insurance, reimbursement for treatment in Waalre is generally not possible. If your health insurance may cover the costs, we coordinate the operation at NATIONALKLINIK Wertheim.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about costs & insurance
How much does lipoedema treatment cost?
The costs depend on the extent of the treatment and the number of sessions. After your initial consultation you will receive a detailed cost estimate – so you know in advance what to expect.
What does the initial consultation cost?
Under the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ) we are required to charge a fee of €30 for the medical consultation of about one hour.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. For self-pay treatment we offer flexible financing options. We are happy to discuss the details with you in your personal consultation.
I am insured in Germany – will my health insurance pay?
If you have German statutory health insurance: since October 2025, liposuction for lipoedema has been covered in all stages, provided the requirements are met – among them a confirmed diagnosis by a specialist, six months of documented conservative therapy and a BMI of no more than 35. These operations take place at NATIONALKLINIK Wertheim. With German private health insurance, cover depends on your policy.
I am insured in the Netherlands – will my insurer reimburse the treatment?
For people insured in the Netherlands, reimbursement depends on the policy conditions and medical criteria. Please check with your health insurer before treatment. In the Netherlands we treat you in Waalre, at QUOLE Aesthetics in Medisch Centrum Waalre.
Does German statutory health insurance pay for surgery in Waalre?
For people with German statutory health insurance, reimbursement for treatment in Waalre is generally not possible. If your health insurance may cover the costs, we coordinate the operation at our NATIONALKLINIK in Wertheim.
I am insured in another country – what applies to me?
We cannot make any statement about whether insurers in other countries will cover the costs. Please ask your insurer directly – and ask us: in the consultation we explain the costs of your treatment as a self-pay patient.
What is the difference between medical and aesthetic treatment?
Medically indicated treatment concerns the typical lipoedema areas (legs, knees, arms) with a confirmed diagnosis. Aesthetic treatment (abdomen, flanks, back) is primarily about body contouring and is self-pay. In the consultation we clarify which of your areas count as medical and which as aesthetic.
Can I combine insurance-covered and self-pay treatment?
For patients with German statutory health insurance, yes: the typical lipoedema areas (arms, legs) can be covered by the statutory insurance, while aesthetic additional treatment (abdomen, flanks) is added as self-pay. We keep both clearly separate in the invoice.
Personal & no obligation
Your lipoedema consultation – the way you want it
Talk to our lipoedema specialists – in person, by phone or by video. With no obligation.
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Prefer to call? +49 231 54 504 900Mon–Fri 8 am–8 pm · Sat 9 am–3 pm (CET)