Can rhinoplasty treat rhinophyma? And will insurance cover it?

Without photos it is impossible to say whether you truly have rhinophyma or not. If you do then either laser or dermabrasion are necessary to thin out the skin. There is a big difference between rosacea and true rhinophyma and you should consult with a plastic surgeon to determine what your best option is. Insurance is likely to consider this cosmetic and probably won't cover it.

Tangential excision or other modalities can be used for rhinophyma, but a rhinoplasty will not help with this.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Rhinophyma is treated by surgically shaving the excess thick sebaceous skin back to normal contour. This is performed with knife, laser, or dermabrasion. This is in external sculpting of the skin of the nose. Rhinoplasty is a procedure to sculpt the internal cartilaginous and bony components of the nose and is completely different than rhinophyma. Both procedures are considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance.

Rhinoplasty will not change the appearance of rhinophyma. The reason is that rhinophyma is a disease of the skin and oil glands of the nasal skin. Rhinoplasty is performed to shape and resposition the structure of the nose beneath the skin. Rhinophyma treatments are focused on treating the underlying disorder or thinning and removing the rhinophyma tissue. Stephen Weber MD, FACS

Rhinophyma is the end stage process of Acne Rosacea, an overgrowth of the sebaceous (oil) glands of the nose. Since it is a skin based problem, a rhinoplasty would not correct this. Rhinophyma can be surgically corrected when it gets severe. Different treatments are available including the laser. It would be best if you keep you Rosacea under control at this point. Whether you are a candidate for surgical intervention is hard to tell without a photo. Hope this helps.