Is a Nose Job Covered By Insurance If It is Considered Necessary?
Many patients never pursue cosmetic surgery or rhinoplasty because they are unsure if their insurance will cover the cost of a nose job. However, depending on your insurance provider and the type of nose job you receive, you may be eligible for insurance coverage for your nose job. If you want to aesthetically change the shape or size of your nose, also known as a cosmetic rhinoplasty, it is unlikely that insurance will cover this procedure. Alternatively, if you struggle to breathe or have difficulty with your sense of smell, you may need to correct a deviated septum. Deviated septums, also known as functional rhinoplasty or medical nose job, can be covered by insurance to improve a patient’s breathing and overall health and life.
What Are The Differences Between a Cosmetic And a Medical Nose Job?
In some cases, patients suffer from a deformity in their nasal passageway that obstructs their air passage. A functional or medical rhinoplasty procedure can alleviate or permanently eliminate breathing problems and even snoring. Deviated septums, cleft palates, a major nose injury, or inflammation from chronic allergies are all reasons to have a medical nose job procedure. These nose jobs will likely be covered by medical insurance.
The nose is one of the most predominant features of a person’s face and is often the object of many insecurities. While a person may feel very intently that their nose hinders their overall health, concerns based on aesthetic preferences are very unlikely to be taken into consideration by health insurance providers. Intentions to change the size, shape, or other proportions of the nose are considered cosmetic nose jobs and will rely on personal pay options. Removal of bumps, shaving bridges, pinching or widening nostrils, and reshaping are all considered cosmetic nose job surgeries if they are not pertinent to the functionality of the nose.
How Will I Know If My Insurance Will Cover My Nose Job?
Generally, almost all cosmetic nose job procedures are considered unnecessary surgery and not covered by health insurance. Depending on your insurance provider, they will reimburse you for the cost of a medical nose job if it fixes or improves breathing due to structural damage. All insurance providers have different medical criteria to determine a patient’s medical coverage for plastic surgery procedures. If you aren’t sure what type of nose job you need, consulting with board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Apo is the first step to a perfect nose job.
Facial Plastic Surgery with Dr. Apo
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Dr. Apo is a leading provider of facial plastic surgery in Austin, TX. His procedures include popular aesthetic treatments like rhinoplasty, otoplasty, face lifts, neck lifts, and more. Contact us online or call our office to get your plastic surgery transformation started!