INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR RHINOPLASTIES: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Would it be a fair assessment to say people have become increasingly conscious about their appearance? The high number of plastic surgery procedures since the turn of the century certainly suggests so. Of the different plastic surgeries requested by Americans, rhinoplasties are the most common. A recent survey indicates about 350,00 people had a rhinoplasty done in 2020, and since you’re reading this, odds are you’re considering one too.
A properly done nose job is a sight to behold, but it certainly comes at a cost. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average cost of the procedure is $5,483. Depending on the complexity of the intended surgery and additional expenses, the whole thing can cost anywhere between $3,000 to $15,000. This understandably provokes the question of whether insurance companies pay for rhinoplasty in the minds of many Americans. Well, keep reading for the answer to your burning question.
WILL INSURANCE COVER MY RHINOPLASTY?
The answer can be a simple yes or no. It all depends on two factors. Number one is if the surgeons you are working with accept insurance for nose jobs at all. Here at Nova Rhinoplasty, we do accept insurance, and our certified providers are listed here. More important is the second factor: the reason you’re having the procedure done.
To easily understand this, let’s divide rhinoplasty procedures into two: cosmetic and functional. Cosmetic rhinoplasties are done to improve the appearance of the nose. If you were to do surgery to reduce the size of your nose, reduce a jump on the nose bridge, or improve on an awkward shape or angle, that’s a cosmetic rhinoplasty. On the other hand, functional rhinoplasties are done to improve the respiratory functions of the nose, which are breathing and humidifying the air.
Insurance companies do not cover cosmetic rhinoplasty because they are not an impediment to the individual’s health. They are not considered reasonable or medically necessary; therefore, these nose jobs will not be insured. However, there might be partial or full coverage for functional rhinoplasties because they pose a threat to the health and quality of life of a patient. So the answer to the question “will insurance cover my rhinoplasty?” is dependent on the types of surgery you intend to undertake – cosmetic or functional?
Speaking to Dr. Alidad Arabshahi extensively will help you better understand the primary goal of your surgery. His wealth of experience will guide you through the process and clarify your doubts.This is especially important when there are both cosmetic and functional components to your rhinoplasty, and you need to understand which one takes precedence before contacting your insurance provider.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF FUNCTIONAL RHINOPLASTY?
We have established that only functional rhinoplasties attract payment from insurance. Let’s now
look at some procedures that fall under this classification. They include surgeries that aim to rectify:
- Nose fractures
- Polyps
- Rhinitis
- Rhinosinusitis
- Deviation of the nasal septum
- Turbinate hypertrophy
- Cleft nose
- Nasal septum perforation
WHAT ARE SOME ACCEPTED ALTERNATIVES TO INSURANCE?
If your surgery is solely for cosmetic purposes, you may need to explore funding alternatives. If you also need to fund the rest of a partially covered functional nose job, this information can also come in handy. Here are options for paying for your surgery when insurance is not available:
- Credit cards: Consider this option if the interest rate on your card is low and the cost won’t exhaust all of your credit lines.
- Cash savings: Self-payment can be inconvenient, but you can always fund your nose job yourself if you have money stashed in the bank. If the money isn’t reserved for emergency situations, this is a good option.
- Loans: There are many loan options you can exercise. Unsecured medical loans are a popular and reasonable choice for cosmetic procedures. A bank loan is another alternative, and you can get loans from family and friends.
- Care Credit: This is a healthcare financing plan to consider. It works like a credit card, except that it only covers fees incurred for medical reasons. In addition, it can be used to fund cosmetic surgeries, and the interest rates are favorable.
To find out more about insurance coverage and payment policies at Nova Rhinoplasty, contact us via our phone lines and email addresses. We remain the best bet for that excellent nose job you desire and deserve.