Nipple tattoos discussed in Bern

Nipple tattoo - (c) Gemma Winstanley

The sensitive issue of nipple tattoos is being discussed in Bern – with the Federal Council being told by parliament to review the situation.

Nipple tattoos are used at the end of breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy. But health insurance will only pay for them if they’re either done by a doctor or at least in a hospital. 

The problem is that doctors are not normally good tattoo artists and there are not enough professional artists working in hospitals – although there are a few.

Campaigners want insurance companies to pay for the tattoo in a professional studio. 

Many patients pay for the tattoo out of their pocket – but there are some who will do it for free. 

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