Insurance coverage for Rhinoplasty for breathing problems?

A rhinoplasty is not performed for breathing problems out of the nose. This is called a septoplasty. Sometimes turbinates can be trimmed and adjusted at the same time to improve airflow dynamics through the nose. A rhinoplasty is performed for cosmetic purposes and is not billed to an insurance company. ... more

Dear Gone in Oregon, Medical insurance AND the Governmental agencies which are supposed to watch over them are not much above criminal enterprises. We have a government where the Medicare code has more pages than our Tax code - both of which very few people have read much less understand. We have thousands of... more

Hi Gone, Insurance companies will pay for functional nasal breathing correction (septoplasty) if it is documented that a patient has breathing difficulty.  The septal surgery has to be pre-authorized.  This usually includes operating room and anesthesiology fees. Insurance companies will... more

Insurance will cover for rhinoplasty if an examination documents that your nasal breathing is impaired and despite the use of nasal sprays and medications like anti histamines there is no relief. Typically the breathing related issues are different then the appearance of the nose. The nasal obstruction is... more

It would be best to have an evaluation by someone versed in both functional and esthetic nose problems. In most cases, your symptoms should be treated with prescription medication before you consider surgery for a functional breathing problem. This may be all you need to breath better. If your symptoms are not... more