I've had breathing problems for a while. I recently saw an ENT who said I have a deviated septum. I also broke my nose a few years back and it's been crooked ever since but lacked the insurance and money to fix it. I didn't see a doctor at the time. I found a document from current my insurance company stating rhinoplasty due to documented trauma is covered. I recently saw a local Ent/Plastic Surgeon who said fixing the septum would be covered but making the nose straight would not. Was he wrong?
February 16, 2018
Answer: Rhinoplasty Hello and thank you for your question. The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation. Most insurance providers will cover a septoplasty and spreader to help improve breathing. Cosmetic procedures are out-of-pocket expenses. Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results. The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person. Best wishes and good luck. Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
Helpful
February 16, 2018
Answer: Rhinoplasty Hello and thank you for your question. The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation. Most insurance providers will cover a septoplasty and spreader to help improve breathing. Cosmetic procedures are out-of-pocket expenses. Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results. The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person. Best wishes and good luck. Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
Helpful
February 16, 2018
Answer: Rhinoplasty, Septoplasy, and Insurance Most insurance companies will not cover rhinoplasty procedures that are for cosmetic purposes. Acute trauma is typically covered, but trauma from the distant past may not be. The procedure may be covered if it is for restoring functional breathing. Usually the functional concerns involve the septum and that is why insurance may cover this and not the rest of the procedure. Fixing the crooked nose is usually considered cosmetic. You can look into your insurance companies policy on covering nasal surgery for more details on what they will cover and what criteria must be met for them to do so. Best Regards, Dr. Weiss
Helpful
February 16, 2018
Answer: Rhinoplasty, Septoplasy, and Insurance Most insurance companies will not cover rhinoplasty procedures that are for cosmetic purposes. Acute trauma is typically covered, but trauma from the distant past may not be. The procedure may be covered if it is for restoring functional breathing. Usually the functional concerns involve the septum and that is why insurance may cover this and not the rest of the procedure. Fixing the crooked nose is usually considered cosmetic. You can look into your insurance companies policy on covering nasal surgery for more details on what they will cover and what criteria must be met for them to do so. Best Regards, Dr. Weiss
Helpful