The Advanced Lipedema Treatment program (ALT) at The Roxbury Institute is proud to announce that Dr. David Smart has joined Dr. David Amron in offering in-network services with Aetna insurance. As one of our leading surgeons, Dr. Smart now brings expanded access to patients at The Roxbury Institute’s Salt Lake City location, where his personalized approach meets the unique needs of women living with lipedema. His academic background and commitment to access make this a meaningful step forward for patients across Utah and the Mountain West.
Lipedema is a frequently misunderstood disease that causes abnormal and often painful fat accumulation in the legs and arms, affecting an estimated 1 in 9 women worldwide. Despite its prevalence, coverage has historically been limited, often denied or significantly delayed. Drawing on decades of experience, the Advanced Lipedema Treatment program (ALT) at The Roxbury Institute's insurance support team works to dismantle financial obstacles and advocate for equitable coverage.
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Dr. David Smart is now in-network with Aetna—marking an important milestone in expanding access to specialized Lipedema care for women across Utah and beyond.
Aetna’s expanded coverage gives patients broader access to the ALT Method, a comprehensive approach to lipedema care developed by Dr. David Amron, who has more than 25 years of dedicated experience treating lipedema in the United States. The ALT Method addresses functional improvement, disease control, and transformative physical outcomes.
Dr. Smart has mastered this innovative approach through extensive fellowship training under Dr. Amron’s direct mentorship. At the University of Utah, he broke new ground as the first dermatologic surgeon to introduce and direct the department’s tumescent liposuction program.
For years, women with lipedema have struggled not only with debilitating physical symptoms but also with the financial burden of seeking specialized care. Many have been told their condition is simply obesity or that they need to "just lose weight," leading to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and years of unnecessary suffering. Insurance coverage has been one of the most significant obstacles preventing patients from accessing the life-changing treatment they need.
Now, with Aetna’s expanded coverage, that reality is beginning to change. Dr. Smart’s commitment to accessibility and patient advocacy reflects a larger movement within the medical community to ensure women with lipedema receive the recognition and treatment they deserve.
“I’m honored to join the Aetna network and help expand access to lipedema surgery for the many women who need and deserve this care,” said Dr. David Smart. “Lipedema is a life-altering medical condition that warrants greater recognition and equitable access to proper surgical treatment. This milestone represents an important step toward ensuring that women affected by lipedema receive both the acknowledgement and the care they deserve.”
Meet Dr. David Smart, Aetna In-Network Lipedema Specialist at The Roxbury Institute
Dr. Smart completed an extensive fellowship with Dr. Amron, where he mastered the innovative ALT Method—an advanced, lymphatic-sparing approach that goes beyond simple fat removal. The ALT method's three-dimensional circumferential technique is specifically designed to be lymphatic-sparing, addressing the unique challenges of lipedema while achieving optimal aesthetic results. This specialized approach recognizes that lipedema is not ordinary fat—it requires surgical expertise, an artistic eye, and deep understanding of the lymphatic system.
After graduating with honors from Brigham Young University, Dr. Smart earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He completed his dermatology residency at the University of Illinois Chicago, followed by an aesthetic and surgical dermatology fellowship at the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery in New York. His role as Director of Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine, where he serves as adjunct faculty, demonstrates his commitment to advancing the field through both clinical excellence and education.
“Dr. David Smart’s expertise and compassion reflect the core values of our mission at Advanced Lipedema Treatment,” said Dr. David Amron, Founder and Medical Director of The Roxbury Institute. “His dedication to expanding access to care for women living with lipedema represents a powerful step forward in our ongoing commitment to awareness, advocacy, and equitable insurance coverage. Having him join the Aetna network ensures that even more patients can receive the comprehensive, life-changing treatment they deserve.”
With Dr. David Smart now in-network with Aetna, patients in Utah and throughout the Mountain West, and anyone willing to travel for treatment, have expanded access to comprehensive Lipedema care through the Advanced Lipedema Treatment program (ALT) at The Roxbury Institute’s Utah location.
Our experienced insurance support team assists patients through every stage of the approval process—at no additional cost—including:
For Aetna members, this partnership streamlines the insurance process and provides greater access to medically necessary Lipedema surgery performed by a board-certified specialist. While pre-authorization is required prior to scheduling surgery, final benefit determinations are made by Aetna in accordance with each patient’s specific plan.
Dr. Smart's in-network status demonstrates how persistent advocacy from specialized treatment centers like the Advanced Lipedema Treatment program (ALT) at The Roxbury Institute, combined with growing medical understanding of lipedema, is gradually reshaping insurance policies. As more providers join insurance networks, the path to diagnosis and treatment becomes clearer for women who have spent years navigating a healthcare system that has repeatedly failed to recognize their condition.
The Advanced Lipedema Treatment program (ALT) at The Roxbury Institute embodies Dr. Amron's pioneering vision and ALT's commitment to advancing lipedema care worldwide. Dr. Smart’s dedication extends beyond patient care—his work alongside other Roxbury Institute surgeons continues to shape the future standards of Lipedema treatment.
If you suspect you may have lipedema or want to learn more about lipedema care with Dr. Smart at The Roxbury Institute's Salt Lake City location, we invite you to contact our office to schedule your consultation today.
