The first thing comes to mind when a person thinks of changing the shape or size of their nose is the price. When it comes to the price of a nose job, or rhinoplasty, it can vary. Some patients wonder if their health insurance would be able to cover some of the costs. The answer is it is hard to say, it depends on the reasons for the surgery and what type of insurance you have.
This guide outlines the average price of a nose job, when insurance is useful, and what elements contribute to the total cost. At the end, you will be prepared to have a discussion with the insurance and a surgeon.
What is a nose job?
A nose job, or rhinoplasty, is a type of surgery that can change the shape, size, or structure of the nose. The reasons for such a surgery can be categorized into two.
- Cosmetic reasons – to change the look, add balance to the face, or increase confidence.
- Medical reasons – to repair a damaged nose, have difficulty with breathing, or a person has some biological defects.
The type of surgery you require is the only thing relevant to the answer for the question.
Average costs on a nose job with no insurance
In the US, the average price of a cosmetic nose job is anywhere between $15,000. Other factors that might affect the price are the price of performing the procedure in larger metropolitan cities and the experience of the surgeon. The average price usually consists of:
- Payment to the surgeon
- Anesthesia fees
- Cost of surgical room or hospital
- Care before and after the surgery
There are also additional costs that are sometimes not included in the initial quotes. These include medication, follow up visits and revision surgeries.
Rhinoplasty and insurance
Insurance companies do not cover cosmetic surgery. In the case of a nose job, If the only reason an individual intends to undergo a nose job is to enhance their appearance, then the individual is expected to cover the entire expense of the procedure.
Nonetheless, if the surgery is considered medically necessary, the costs might be partially or fully covered. Some of these include:
- CWOB septum that impairs breathing
- Repairing damaged caused by an accident
- CWOB deformities due to the birth
- Chronic sinus problems due to the nose structural issues
In these scenarios, If a surgery is done purely for reconstruction, then the insurance might cover some or the entire amount.
How much does a nose job cost with insurance
With some insurance plans, the total out-of-pocket cost can be significantly reduced. Patients may only be responsible for any cosmetic elements of the procedure, while the insurance plan takes care of the functional or medically necessary parts.
As an example:
- If you require septoplasty as well as cosmetic work, the insurance may cover the cost of the septoplasty. You will pay for the cosmetic repairs.
- If your nose was broken due to an accident, and its position obstructs airflow and breathing, the insurance may pay for the reconstructive work.
Of course the amount you pay is contingent on the insurance coverage, deductible and co-pays. Some people only pay a couple of thousand dollars, while others pay much more, depending on the extent of coverage provided by the insurance plan.
Factors that affect the final cost
For other patients, even with insurance, nose job costs can be attributed to a number of factors.
- Value of the procedure – Full reconstructions tend to be more expensive than minor adjustments the individual may choose to make.
- Surgeons in the business for a longer period charge more, after paying competitive, lower rates previously. These fully qualified surgeons reduce the other expenses due to revisions that need to be done.
- Of all the other factors, the most appealing is location. Surgeons and their respective clinics situated in more expensive cities will as a result charge more.
Clinics however specialized around a certain area tend to charge more than private offices. Combination procedures also dont help, as includig more surgeries increases costs, nose jobs included.
The intricacies of insurance detail copays along with deductibles, which ultimately shift how much you pay.
Ways to Check if Insurance Covers the Costs
If your nose job is covered by insurance, you can get help from the steps below.
- Communicate with your physician to clarify if your condition is classified as a medical—i.e. if you have a deviated septum or face breathing challenges.
- Get your medical documents which can include test results, medical notes or images, as insurance companies normally ask for them.
- Reach out to your insurance company, highlighting to them that you are looking for details in your account about your covered procedures, specifically if rhinoplasty or septoplasty are included, and how much you will be liable to pay out of pocket.
- Surgical pre- authorizations can be obtained for conditions that warrant prior approval from the insurance company. Many of them will ask for a more detailed reason as to why a certain procedure is warranted.
- If you have already been in contact with those surgeons and did not find what you were looking for, some of them now provide payment and financing options specifically for the cosmetic procedures.
Alternatives if insurance does not cover the cost
If insurance does not cover your surgery, it is still possible to obtain it for less.
- Payment plans – Some clinics would accept the payment to be split into different intervals, as opposed to paying it at once.
- Medical financing – Companies like CareCredit provide loans for healthcare purposes.
- Traveling for surgery – In some cases, patients go to all the expenses of flying to a different city as the surgery is done at a lower cost.
- Selecting a residency program – Teaching hospitals might provide below the market rate if attending surgeons supervise residents who perform surgery.
What to expect after surgery
Full recovery is not part of the budget, as you would lost wages from not being able to work due to the surgery, and would require additional help. Most patients would tell you that they bruised, were swollen, and discomforted. Although you would feel decent after a few weeks, it would still take one year to fully heal.
Insurance does not cover the recovery process, hence would not cover lost wages, or any cosmetic touch-ups.
Conclusion
The cost of a nose job with insurance relies on the patient’s circumstances and the root of the procedure. Patients undergoing a cosmetic nose job will often find the procedures cost them in excess of $5,000. If however, the procedure is medical in nature such as the correction of a deviated septum, you will find that the insurance will generally cover such a surgery and you will have to you spend a nominal amount.
It is best to have a discussion with your surgeon and insurance company, before that, a detailed analysis of all the relevant aspects and the coverage, balance, and other financing solutions will benefit you greatly.
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FAQs About Nose Job Cost With Insurance
How long is recovery from a nose job?
After nose surgery, typical activities can generally be resumed after two to three weeks. However, the recovery period can take up to a year to fully heal from the surgery.
Does insurance cover a deviated septum surgery?
If a septoplasty is required due to a deviated septum, insurance will usually cover the cost.
Can i combine cosmetic and medical nose surgery?
Yes, many people have the medical and cosmetic surgery done simultaneously. The medical part is often covered by insurance, whilst the cosmetic portion will be your responsibility.
What if my insurance denies coverage for the nose surgery?
In the instance that an insurance provider denies coverage, an appeal can be filed, additional medical documentation can be submitted, or financing and a payment plan can be considered.
Is a revision nose job more expensive?
Revision rhinoplasty is surgical work that is more intricate than the first because it is an attempt to work on the changes made and the scar tissues that have formed, hence, greater in cost.
