Will insurance cover rhinoplasty?

Will insurance cover rhinoplasty

If you have ever considered plastic surgery, especially rhinoplasty, you’re not alone. According to marketwatch.com, an online financial information website that provides business news, analysis, and stock market data, there were 1.8 million plastic surgery procedures performed in 2017, averaging about one for every 20 Americans.

So why is plastic surgery, as a whole, seemingly on the rise? Well, costs may have a lot to do with it; for example, rhinoplasty (also known as a nose job) has an average cost of about $5,000. This means that the barrier to entry is set relatively low.

Therefore, these procedures are no longer relegated to just the rich and famous; instead, everyday people now have access to procedures that can improve not only their self-esteem but also their physical appearance. But having said that, will insurance cover plastic surgery? That is a question that this article endeavors to answer.

Is rhinoplasty covered by insurance?

As a rule, cosmetic surgery of any kind is not covered by insurance as it is an elective procedure. However, there are exceptions, which correlates with a functional component. Having said that, let’s now explain this in layman’s terms; provided there is a functional component that warrants the surgery, it will likely be covered by insurance.

To further contextualize this statement, let’s take a look at rhinoplasty, for example. If a patient is diagnosed with a deviated septum, a health insurance provider will likely cover the cost of the procedure since it is a medical necessity, either in whole or in part.

What to do if your cosmetic surgery is not covered

As previously stated, the overwhelming majority of cosmetic surgeries are not covered by insurance; however, if you believe that your surgery is needed to improve your overall health, you’re encouraged to request a letter of medical necessity from your doctor, which you can provide to your insurance. Provided the letter demonstrates a causative relationship between the surgery and an existing medical condition, it could very well be covered. If it is not, you do have other options available to you.

As previously noted, the cost of most cosmetic surgeries is well within the grasp of most working-class people. In fact, the median average income for most cosmetic surgery patients is between $40,000 and $50,000 annually; also, many plastic surgeons provide financing, either in-house or via third parties. If the financing option appeals to you, you’re encouraged to speak with the prospective doctor’s office regarding the loan details as they relate to the APR and terms of the loan.

Is plastic surgery right for you

Insurance coverage and payment options aside, how do you know if plastic surgery is right for you? To be honest, this is a personal question that only you, the person contemplating this decision, can answer. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the things that you may want to consider when choosing a physician; the first step in your plastic surgery journey is to find a board-certified plastic surgeon, and once you have narrowed down your selection, you’ll want to start the vetting process.

This is where you’ll want to inquire about their experience in a particular area of plastic surgery. Additionally, you should ask about long-term results and what do expect during the healing process. These are critical questions that a qualified plastic surgeon should be able to answer for you.

Achieving natural results with plastic surgery

We’ve all seen it before, plastic surgery procedures that went awry; patients who came away with unnatural looking results following their surgery. But this is certainly not indicative of all procedures; in fact, the opposite is true. In most cases, the results of a cosmetic procedure are nearly imperceptible; these surgeries are intended to augment specific aspects of the body in a natural and complementary way. The caveat, however, is that you need to be in the hands of a highly skilled surgeon.

How to tell if you’re a good candidate for plastic surgery

Whether you’re considering a nose job or any other cosmetic procedure, there are a few things you should be taking into consideration including

  • Your overall health
  • Your lifestyle
  • Skin type

Also, if you’re thinking about getting a nose job, you should know that 15% to 20% of those who have this surgery may need follow-up surgery in order to achieve optimal results. This is not an attempt to dissuade you; it is, instead, an attempt to provide with enough information to enable you to make an informed decision.

If you’re in New Jersey or the tri-state area and looking for a great plastic surgeon, specifically one that specializes in rhinoplasty, Becker Rhinoplasty Center may be worth considering. Founder and plastic surgeon, Dr. Daniel G. Becker, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon and one of only three doctors to be recognized as a “Top Doctor” for rhinoplasty by Philadelphia Magazine in 2014. You can learn more about Dr. Becker  and his practice by visiting therhinoplastycenter.com/dr-becker.

 

 

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