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Roy Kim, MD

Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco and Beverly Hills
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Roy Kim, MD

Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco and Beverly Hills

Let’s cut through the noise and talk about how Trump’s new “Most-Favored-Nation” drug pricing executive order might impact your cosmetic procedures. 

As a board-certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco with over 25 years of experience, I’ve seen policy changes come and go-but this one could actually shake things up for Botox, fillers, and even breast implants. Here’s my no-BS breakdown.

Neuromodulators (Botox): The Big Winner for Consumers

Therapeutic Botox for migraines or muscle spasms? Medicare currently covers 80% of those costs. But here’s the kicker: the U.S. pays 1.5-4x more per vial than the rest of the world. If this order forces price parity (and I think it will), cosmetic Botox could get cheaper by default. Why? 

Drug companies have a hard time maintaining dual pricing – health insurance pricing versus aesthetic/ cosmetic pricing. In my practice, I’ve already had patients asking if they should wait for a “Botox sale”-and honestly? This might be it.

Dermal Fillers: Only Sculptra Gets a Pass

Most fillers like Juvederm or Restylane are classified as medical devices, so they’re off the government’s radar. Except Sculptra. 

Since it’s FDA-approved for HIV-related lipodystrophy (and covered by some insurance), it’s price could drop to lower pricing in the rest of the world outside the US. Again, it’s hard for any company to maintain dual pricing – health insurance versus aesthetic/ cosmetic – so if you’ve been considering Sculptra for subtle volume restoration, hold tight- this might be your moment.

Breast Implants: Don’t Hold Your Breath

Breast implants are not drugs, so they’re exempt. But here’s the twist: identical breast implants cost less overseas. 

Will manufacturers lower U.S. prices to avoid scrutiny? Maybe. Breast reconstruction patients in the US are charged more for identical breast implants sold in the rest of the world. 

This executive order may shine a spotlight on this discrepancy in breast implant pricing.  And if  this order sparks a broader conversation about medical device pricing – hip impalnts, knee implants, cardiac pacemakers, skin resurfacing lasers, and more – I’ll be the first to cheer.

The Bottom Line

In my 25+ years, I’ve learned two things:

  1. Policy changes move slower than you think-don’t cancel your Botox appointment yet.
  2. Savvy patients win. If you’re planning a procedure, ask your surgeon:
    • “Are you using products likely to see price drops soon?”
    • “Can we phase treatments to maximize savings?”

My Predictions? 

Botox gets cheaper by late 2025. 

Sculptra follows. I do not think other dermal fillers will have a price reduction.

Breast Implants? Maybe 2026. In the meantime, I’m keeping my OR stocked and my patients informed.

Curious how this affects your aesthetic goals? Contact me at info@drkim.com or call 415 362 1846.

P.S. For real-time updates, follow me on Instagram where I break down policy changes and their impact on YOUR beauty investments.

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