Big news for the lipedema community: Aetna has agreed to settle a federal class action lawsuit over its denials of liposuction surgery for patients with lipedema. This comes after years of denying coverage by calling the only effective treatment for our condition “cosmetic.”
Now, after a long legal battle, there’s real hope for justice—and maybe even reimbursement—for patients who’ve been told “no” by their insurance plans.
What Was the Case About?
The lawsuit was brought by Michala Kazda, a woman with stage 3 lipedema who was denied coverage by Aetna for medically necessary liposuction. Despite evidence that lipedema causes pain, mobility issues, and disability—and that surgery is the most effective treatment—Aetna refused to pay, labeling it as cosmetic surgery.
Kazda challenged this in court, not just for herself, but on behalf of all Aetna plan members who had been denied lipedema surgery under similar reasoning. The court allowed the case to move forward as a class action, meaning it could benefit every patient affected by Aetna’s policy.
What Just Happened?
On June 11, 2025, just two months before the case was set to go to trial, both sides told the court they had reached a settlement agreement. The details are still being finalized, but this means the lawsuit won’t go to trial. Instead, they’ll ask the judge to approve the settlement and set up a process to notify and assist affected patients.
Why This Matters
This case isn’t just about one woman or one insurance plan. It’s about how our health care system treats people with lipedema.
For years, patients have been forced to pay thousands out of pocket—or go without treatment entirely—because insurers refused to acknowledge that lipedema is a real, disabling medical condition.
This settlement sends a powerful message:
- Lipedema is not a cosmetic issue.
- Surgery is medically necessary when conservative care fails.
- Insurance companies can’t just write off our pain and mobility loss as “appearance-based.”
What Could Be Included in the Settlement?
While the exact terms haven’t been released yet, here’s what we expect based on the court filings:
- Aetna may be required to reprocess denied claims for lipedema surgery.
- They may have to notify patients about the change in policy.
- There could be reimbursement for people who paid out of pocket.
- The settlement could also help ensure Aetna’s new policy, which now recognizes lipedema surgery as medically necessary in some cases, is applied fairly.
What Should You Do If You Were Denied?
If you had Aetna insurance and were denied liposuction surgery for lipedema—especially between 2015 and 2020—you may be part of this class.
Here’s what you can do now:
- Keep all your paperwork. Hold on to denial letters, surgery records, and receipts.
- Watch for updates. You may receive a notice from the court or from Aetna explaining your rights under the settlement. Also here is a link to the lawsuit progress (know I’ll be watching for updates as well.) Kazda v. Aetna Life Insurance Company, 3:19-cv-02512 – CourtListener.com
- Sign up for updates. We’ll be following this case closely and will share new information as soon as it’s public.
Final Thoughts
This case shows what happens when patients speak up and fight back. It shows that our voices do matter—and that even the biggest insurance companies can be held accountable.
At Legs Like Mine, we believe no one should have to choose between living in pain or going into debt just to get the care they need. This settlement is one step closer to a world where people with lipedema get the recognition—and the treatment—we deserve.
We’ll continue to follow this case and post updates here as the settlement process unfolds.
Stay strong. Stay informed. And remember—you’re not alone.
