I Suffer from Chronic Sinusitis As Well As a Crooked Nose with a Dorsal Hump and a Weak Chin? (photo)

Question

Any Insurance Coverage Options? Also have breathing restrictions through my nose. Would the surgery be partially covered by insurance? If so, are there any evaluations or tests I will need to go through pre-op for the sake of coverage?

Michael R. Macdonald, MD · Answer

Yes, you have partial insurance coverage options.

	Insurance will generally cover any surgery to correct airway obstruction including septoplasty and/or nasal valve repair and/or reconstructive rhinoplasty.

	So, in your case:

	
		Insurance is likely to partially cover a septorhinoplasty. The internal repair of your nose to improve your breathing issue would be covered by insurance, but the smoothing of your dorsal hump is considered solely aesthetic, so it would not.
	
		Insurance should completely cover ESS (Endoscopic Sinus Surgery) - to address your chronic sinusitis - without any trouble.
	
		Your chin implant surgery would not be covered by insurance.


	You could, however, choose to have all 3 surgeries done together which would lower your total costs vs. the option of doing 3 separate surgeries. It is already very common to combine rhinoplasty with chin implant surgery to create a harmonious balance of your facial features.

	With regard to your sinusitis issue, correction of a crooked nose alone, particularly on the inside, may help to improve that condition. You may consider proceeding with that nasal surgery first (along with the chin implant surgery if you so choose), before considering Enodoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS).

	However, if investigation into your sinusitis problem, including CT scans of the sinuses, reveals significant sinus disease, you could certainly have the ESS performed at the same time as the septorhinoplasty and chin augmentation.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Insurance may cover functional issues related to a deviated septum with airway obstruction and sinusitis. They willn ot cover the cosmetic portion or the chin.

Suresh Koneru, MD · Answer

Usually Insurance Companies will cover surgery for correction of a functional problem. So, if your airway is significantly compromised by a deviated septum, for example, the portion of your surgery that involves the septoplasty should be covered. Usually things like dorsal hump reduction and chin augmentation or fat grafting to the chin are considered cosmetic procedures and would not be covered.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Chronic sinusitis must be first diagnosed with a CAT scan of the paranasal sinuses. If polyps are present, then endoscopic sinus surgery is performed through to aerate the sinus cavities. Breathing obstruction can come from a variety of sources such as a deviated septum, turbinate hypertrophy, and valve collapse. These are addressed first with nasal sprays, antihistamines, and decongestants. If medical management has failed, consideration for surgical management to improve air flow dynamics through the nose. All the above procedures are considered medical necessity and are billed to the patient's medical insurance. A cosmetic rhinoplasty in conjunction with a chin implant are considered cosmetic and must be paid for by the patient themselves. Please see the link below for information on functional and cosmetic nasal surgery. Virtual plastic surgery software is available on our website to get an idea what your new nose and chin might look like

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Insurance policies will usually cover the costs of improving nasal function such as straightening a deviated septum or improving aeration of your sinuses. The patient typically has to pay for the cosmetic changes. My staff always helps perspective patients determine their financial responsibity.

I Suffer from Chronic Sinusitis As Well As a Crooked Nose with a Dorsal Hump and a Weak Chin? (photo)

Answers (5)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Closed Rhinoplasty with Local Anesthesia? (photo)

I Have Tmj Will Tthat Prevent Me from a Nose Job?

My Nose is Not Straight and Long. What Can I Do?

Upper Lip Severely Swollen After Nose Tip Rhinoplasty? (photo)

Can Nasolabial Fold Asymmetry Be Fixed? (photo)

Is It Ok to Have a 25% Glyolic Acid Peel on my Face, Avoiding my Nose, 1 Month After Rhinoplasty?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS