Summary
Effective August 1, 2026, Blue Shield of California's Skeletal Remodeling policy (BSC7.21) considers rib remodeling for body contouring investigational, including WASP, RIBOSS, RibXcar and UUAIST, and considers clavicle shortening for body contouring investigational. Scapular shaving or scapular contouring is not medically necessary when performed for aesthetic dissatisfaction with silhouette or bone contour, gender affirmation, reduction of scapular prominence, shoulder narrowing, or upper-back or posterior shoulder feminization or masculinization. The policy does not apply to scapular procedures performed for acute trauma, congenital deformity causing functional impairment, reconstruction following medically necessary surgery, or tumor resection, and those cases are reviewed under standard orthopedic or reconstructive policies.
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