How Much Does a Breast Prosthesis Cost? Costs, Insurance Coverage and Subsidies
Trendisland.de
Image created with AI
Image created with AI
Summary
A medical breast prosthesis is a medical aid after breast surgery, for example after a mastectomy due to breast cancer. For people with statutory health insurance in Germany, the list price therefore matters less than the question of what the health insurance fund covers: on medical prescription there is initial care, then a full silicone prosthesis or a shaper, and usually a new prosthesis every two years. In most cases you only pay the statutory co-payment of at most 10 euros per medical aid and, if applicable, additional costs for a more elaborate preferred model. There are subsidies for special bras and swimwear with prosthesis pockets. This guide summarizes what you can expect. Trendisland itself does not sell medical breast prostheses.
Image created with AI
Key points at a glance
- The basis is a medical prescription; the fitting is carried out by a medical supply store that is a contract partner of your health insurance fund.
- Health insurance covers the initial care directly after surgery.
- Once the scars have healed, there is a full silicone prosthesis (after mastectomy) or a silicone shaper (after breast-conserving surgery), usually renewed every two years.
- The statutory co-payment is 10 percent of the price, at least 5 and at most 10 euros per medical aid.
- Health insurers pay subsidies for special bras (usually two per year) and every two to three years for a swimsuit with prosthesis pockets.
- Silicone breasts as fashion and styling items, as offered by Trendisland, are not breast prostheses and are not a substitute for medical care.
Basics
An external breast prosthesis (mammary prosthesis) restores the shape, weight and silhouette of a breast that has been completely or partially removed by surgery. It is worn in the pocket of a special bra or, as an adhesive prosthesis, directly on the skin. Unlike an implant, it can be removed at any time and replaced without further surgery. The legal basis for cost coverage in Germany is Section 33 of the German Social Code Book V (SGB V, provision of medical aids). You can read more about types, materials and fitting in the guide Buying a breast prosthesis.
Types of breast prostheses and insurance coverage
Which care is suitable is decided by the doctor and the medical supply store depending on the surgery, the scar situation and everyday life. The table gives an overview; your health insurance fund will tell you the exact conditions.
| Type | Typical use | Benefit from statutory health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Initial prosthesis (textile, foam) | Directly after surgery, while the scar is sensitive | Covered |
| Full silicone prosthesis | Long-term care after mastectomy, symmetrical or asymmetrical shape | On prescription, usually every two years |
| Silicone shaper (partial prosthesis) | After breast-conserving surgery | On prescription, usually every two years |
| Weight-reduced prosthesis, adhesive prosthesis | Less weight or hold directly on the skin | Depending on prescription and insurer contract, possibly with additional costs |
| Swim prosthesis | Bathing and swimming | Depending on the health insurance fund |
| Special bra with prosthesis pocket | Secure hold of the prosthesis in everyday life | Subsidy, usually for two bras per year |
| Swimsuit or bikini with prosthesis pockets | Bathing and swimming | Subsidy, usually every two to three years |
What you pay yourself
Co-payment: Insured persons aged 18 and over pay the statutory co-payment for each medical aid: 10 percent of the price, at least 5 and at most 10 euros. It is paid directly at the medical supply store. Anyone who has reached the annual burden limit can be exempted from further co-payments.
Additional costs: Health insurance covers the necessary care at the prices it has agreed with the medical supply stores. If you choose a more elaborate model than is medically necessary, you pay the difference yourself. Ask about any additional costs in advance.
Subsidies for bras and swimwear: Health insurers pay subsidies for special bras with a prosthesis pocket and for swimwear with prosthesis pockets; the amount varies from insurer to insurer. Your health insurance fund will tell you the exact amount.
Without a prescription or with private insurance: Without a prescription you pay the full price of the medical supply store, which varies depending on model, material and manufacturer. Privately insured people are reimbursed according to their plan; it is worth asking in advance.
Step by step to a breast prosthesis on prescription
- Get a medical prescription, for example at the hospital or from your gynecologist.
- Choose a medical supply store that is a contract partner of your health insurance fund.
- Consultation and fitting: shape, size and weight are adapted to your situation.
- Clarify the costs: ask about the co-payment and any additional costs in advance.
- Follow-up care: usually have a new prosthesis prescribed every two years, or earlier in the event of a significant change in weight.
Care and service life
- Clean silicone prostheses daily with lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free soap and let them air dry.
- Do not dry in the microwave, the oven or in blazing sun, as this damages the material.
- Rinse swim prostheses with clear water after bathing to remove chlorine or salt water residues.
- For adhesive prostheses, keep the adhesive surface away from cream and oil.
- Store in the tray supplied to prevent deformation.
- If there are cracks, deformations or reduced wearing comfort, contact the medical supply store. The manufacturer's care instructions take precedence.
And how much do silicone breasts without a medical purpose cost?
Many people who search for "breast prosthesis" do not need medical care at all, but silicone breasts for crossdressing, drag or cosplay, as a trans or non-binary person in everyday life, or for an outfit with more volume. For this there are silicone breasts as fashion and styling items, which you buy without a prescription. Depending on shape, size and adhesive layer, the BIONORA silicone breasts at Trendisland are priced from double digits to the low triple-digit euro range; the current prices are shown directly on the product in the silicone breasts category. Small bra inserts in cup A are available with and without adhesive layer.
Important: These silicone breasts are not medical devices and not breast prostheses in the sense of medical aid provision. They are not intended for care after breast surgery and are not covered by health insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What costs does health insurance cover for a breast prosthesis?
After breast surgery, German statutory health insurance covers, on medical prescription, the initial care as well as a full silicone prosthesis or a shaper, usually renewed every two years. You pay the statutory co-payment yourself and, if applicable, additional costs for a more elaborate preferred model. There are subsidies for special bras and swimwear.
How high is the co-payment for a breast prosthesis?
The statutory co-payment is 10 percent of the price, at least 5 euros and at most 10 euros per medical aid. Anyone who has reached the annual burden limit can apply to their health insurance fund for exemption from further co-payments.
How often can you get a new breast prosthesis on prescription?
Usually every two years. In the event of a significant change in weight, a new prosthesis can also be prescribed in between. Special bras are usually subsidized annually, swimwear with prosthesis pockets every two to three years.
How much does a breast prosthesis cost without health insurance?
Without a prescription you pay the full price of the medical supply store, which varies depending on model, material and manufacturer. Ask for a cost estimate on site. Privately insured people are reimbursed according to their plan.
Can I use silicone breasts from Trendisland instead of a breast prosthesis?
Not as a substitute for medical care. Our silicone breasts are fashion and styling items, not medical devices, and are not intended for the time after breast surgery. If you do not need medical care but are looking for silicone breasts for crossdressing, drag, cosplay or your outfit, they are the uncomplicated alternative without a prescription.
Sources and further links
- KKH: Breast prostheses (in German)
- betanet: Breast cancer, breast prostheses and special bras (in German)
- ABC Breast Care: Breast prostheses on prescription (in German)
- mamazone: Breast prostheses (in German)
Editorial team Trendisland.de, as of September 2026. This guide is for general information and does not replace medical advice, advice at a medical supply store or information from your health insurance fund.
Images: The cover image and the images in this article were created with AI (AI-generated images). They are for illustration purposes and may differ from the actual product or condition.
Looking for silicone breasts for styling and outfits? You will find shapes, sizes and prices in the silicone breasts category.
