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Crooked Nose and Trouble Breathing, Will Insurance Cover Surgery? (photo)

I am very insecure about my nose and i have had trouble breathing ever since I was a child. I remember breaking my nose, but hardly ever noticed it until now. I am 18 now, and want to my nose to be straight again, because I can't breathe through by right nostril and i hope straightening can solve the issue. Is there any way insurance can cover the part of straightening the nose again, or is that part not covered. Thanks Doctors!

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by texaslonghorns

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Crooked nose and trouble breathing, what insurance will and will not cover

Most insurance companies cover straightening of a crooked and broken nose that is causing a breathing issue. The insurance company, out of medical necessity will also cover the internal breathing component of the nose. This may include septoplasty, turbinate surgery, or a spreader graft for the concaved side of the nose where it is collapsed inward. Any cosmetic changes to the nose would need to be paid for by the patient. As long as all of these procedures are... more

Will Insurance Pay for Treatment of Crooked Nose and Breathing Obstruction?

Insurance will usually pay for treatment of a crooked nose and breathing obstruction. Your surgeon's office can contact your insurance company to determine coverage and try to get a pre-surgical authorization.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

10 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Crooked Nose and Trouble Breathing - Will Insurance Cover?

Insurances will typically cover procedures to help improve nasal obstruction. The extent of coverage varies based on the details of the insurance plan. Insurance will not cover procedures that address nasal asymmetry but are not necessary to improve nasal obstruction.

Sam Naficy, MD

84 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

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Insurance DOES typically cover nasal surgery to improve nasal breathing

Insurance DOES typically cover nasal surgery to improve nasal breathing. If your breathing issue is related to a prior injury and crookedness of your nose, repair of this is likely covered. However, insurance companies are all different and unfortunately not always ruled by common sense. You should seek an in office evaluation with a board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon or Plastic Surgeon. They will need to submit their evaluation to your insurance company and, in some cases, provide... more

Insurance coverage for crooked nose

Insurance often can cover surgery to striaghten the nose if it is causing nasal obstruction. You would need to have your nose examined to determine what actually needs to be done to correct the problem. Your surgeon's office would then be able to obtain pre-authorization from your insurance to see if they will cover your surgery.

Health insurance and rhinoplasty

If you have medical record documented obstruction to nasal airflow your health insurance will cover surgery to restore airflow. To make sure that you are covered you need to have your surgeon send a preauthorization letter to your insurance company before surgery. Make sure you get a letter from the insurance company stating that the proposed surgery is medically necessary and covered before you proceed. If you fail to do it that way you may end up having to pay for surgery, hospital... more

Insurance will cover nasal obstruction for the deviated nose.

Insurance will cover nasal obstruction for the deviated nose. Straightening and opening of your airway will be covered.

Toby Mayer, MD

7 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Insurance & Rhinoplasty

The best way to address your concerns is to have a board certified specialist evaluate the underlying anatomy of your nose to determine what anatomic issues are contributing to your difficulty breathing in addition to any cosmetic concerns. Generally, insurance will only cover the functional or anatomic issues that are preventing you from breathing, not any cosmetic issues. From what you describe, you may have a component of your anatomy contributing to your crooked nose. more

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.