Grants available to low-income patients for breast reconstruction

By Will Sansom

Breast reconstruction costs vary by surgeon and region, but the financial burden for patients can become large because costs include:

  • Surgeon’s fee
  • Hospital or surgical facility costs
  • Anesthesia fees
  • Prescriptions for medication
  • Post-surgery garments
  • Medical tests and imaging

Amita Shah, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at UT Health San Antonio, received a $15,000 charitable care grant from the Plastic Surgery Foundation to provide additional funds to patients and their families.

Dr. Shah seeks to help 10 patients with $1,500 per patient to assist with expenses relating to the indirect costs of breast reconstruction such as cost of transportation, parking, lost wages and child care.

“Anyone who is undergoing or wants to have any type of breast reconstruction with UT Health Physicians plastic surgeons and who shows financial need is eligible to be considered for a one-time grant,” Dr. Shah said.



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