Would Fixing Deviated Septum Be Considered a Cosmetic Procedure?

asked 2 years ago by VinFlorida in Florida
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 1,598 times
Tags: cosmetic surgery, deviated septum, septum

I'm looking into getting my deviated septum fixed in the near future. Would that be considered cosmetic even though I have trouble breathing and therefore makes it seem medically required?

9 answers to Would Fixing Deviated Septum Be Considered a Cosmetic Procedure?

Fixing Deviated Septum

Correcting a deviated septum to improve breathing is generally considered a medically necessary procedure which would be covered by insurance. Ensure that you have the necessary supporting documentation from other physicians to meet your plan's requirements.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drkrisreddy.com

Correction of deviated septum is not a cosmetic procedure

The nasal septum is the wall in the midline of the nose that separates the right nasal passage from the left. The nasal septum is composed of cartilage and bone. Septum deviation can cause blockage of air flow in one or both nostrils. Repair of septum deviation is a functional operation and should be covered by insurance. Some insurance companies have placed certain requirements before approving payment for septoplasty. Requirements such as a attempts at medical treatment with allergy nasal... more

Maurice M. Khosh, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Deviated septum surgery is not cosmetic

VinFlorida, Deviated septum surgery is a very common operation, as more than 80% of people have deviated septums. A deviated septum is a medical condition, which may cause nasal obstruction, congestion, snoring, allergy symptoms, or post nasal drip. Septoplasty, surgery on the septum, is an outpatient procedure that helps corrects the deviation. Septoplasty is not cosmetic. For a majority of patients, septoplasty will not alter or change the external appearance of the nose. No nasal cast... more

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Septoplasty is medical not cosmetic

Correcting a deviated septum is a medical not cosmetic procedure. When a patient has nasal obstruction despite medical therapy such as nasal steroid sprays, that patient may need to turn to a surgical approach to straighten the septum and improve the nasal airway. Usually correcting the septum does not change the cosmetic appearance of one's nose. Consult with your local board-certified otolaryngologist (ENT) surgeon. If you are interested in having a rhinoplasty to change the... more

Yael Halaas, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Deviated septum causing nasal obstruction may be covered by insurance

A deviated septum that causes nasal obstruction may be covered by your medical insurance. The requirements of some insurance companies are that it has been evaluated by a specialist, and does not respond to medical treatment (like allergy pills or nasal sprays). Most septum surgery does not cause a change in your nasal appearance. There are occasional cases in which a correction of the nasal septum may change or improve external appearance, but that would be considered a secondary outcome... more

Behrooz Torkian, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Deviated septum and cosmetic

No. No. No. If you have difficulty breathing through one or both sides and have supporting documentation that it is medically necessary then this is absolutely covered by insurance.

Shepherd G. Pryor, MD
Scottsdale Facial Plastic Surgeon

Medically Necessary Nose Surgery - Septoplasty

The answer is no. A septoplasty is typically done for medically indicated reasons. Patients usually present with complaints of difficulty breathing thru their nose with no improvement from medical treatment. Because of this, medical insurance usually provides coverage for septoplasty surgery. If you are interested in also having your nose reshaped at the same time, I would recommend you consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon in your area.

John M. Hilinski, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Septoplasty for Correcting a Deviated Septum is Functional, Not Cosmetic

A septoplasty, is the name for the surgery used to correct nasal obstruction resulting from a deviated (crooked) septum. Because a septoplasty does not change the shape of the nose, it is not considered a cosmetic procedure and is usually covered by health insurance. A septoplasty is performed by making an incision on the inside of of the nose. The nasal lining covering the septum (the midline partition of cartilage and bone that separates one side of the nose from the other) is lifted off... more

C. Spencer Cochran, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Septoplasty is not cosmetic

Absolutely not! Although, I have had to defend it to some insurance companies. There is, however, often an associated external deformity that takes a Rhinoplasty, and the insurance companies get away with calling the Rhinoplasty cosmetic.