Health insurance
Health insurance plans normally exclude cosmetic surgery, and male breast reduction for appearance is treated as cosmetic. A few cases with pain and a large chest may be considered, only with approval before the operation. Ask your insurer in writing before anything is booked.
Insurers that consider it set strict criteria, and each case needs approval before surgery. The criteria used in Ireland include:
- you're 18 or over and past puberty
- it has been there for at least a year, and stayed after at least four months of treating the cause
- a large chest: past the edge of the areola, with extra skin
- at least six months of pain despite prescription painkillers, affecting daily life
- a body mass index under the insurer's limit, which varies
Ask your insurer for its rules in writing, and what it needs from your GP and surgeon, before anything is booked. If it says no, ask why, in writing.
The public system
Gynaecomastia surgery is done in public hospitals, but rarely: 46 operations between 2014 and the summer of 2017, usually by a breast surgeon or a plastic surgeon. There are no clear national criteria; it depends on the hospital. Your weight, smoking and how much the chest affects your health all count, and waiting lists for operations seen as low priority are long. A GP referral is the only way in.
Tax relief
Revenue gives no tax relief on cosmetic surgery. Relief may be possible where surgery corrects a health issue, at the standard rate of 20%. If your operation is approved as medically needed, keep the receipts and ask Revenue.
Paying privately
Our price guide puts it at €3,000 to €6,900. See what it costs and what's included.
Questions people ask
Does VHI cover gynecomastia surgery?
Ask VHI in writing. Like the other Irish insurers it normally excludes cosmetic surgery, and considers male breast reduction only when strict criteria are met and approved first.
Can I get gynecomastia surgery on the HSE?
Sometimes, through a GP referral, but very few are done and there are no clear national criteria.
Is gynecomastia surgery a cosmetic procedure?
Usually, in the eyes of insurers. Some cases with pain and a large chest are treated as medical.
Can I claim tax back?
Revenue gives no tax relief on cosmetic surgery. Relief may be possible where surgery corrects a health issue, at the standard rate of 20%.