A nose job can dramatically change your life. People can get a nose job to improve their appearance, breathing, or both. But whatever the reason, it’s important to research your options first because a nose job involves risks and can cost thousands of dollars out of your pocket.
Cosmetic Nose Job
Cosmetic rhinoplasty can be done for a variety of reasons. Maybe you’re unhappy with the shape or size of the nose you were genetically given. Or, perhaps you’ve suffered a past injury that left your nose misshapen. Whatever the reason you’re interested in rhinoplasty surgery, it’s important to understand every aspect of the procedure, including cost, before making your final decision.
Cost of Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty surgeries vary significantly from person to person. Some procedures are more time-consuming and complicated, thus making them more expensive. The location and skill of your surgeon can also play a role in the price you’ll pay.
On average, you can expect to pay somewhere around $8,400-$9,800 for a nose job from an experienced facial surgeon. The fee for revision surgery can range from $7,000-$12,000 or even more, depending on the situation’s complexity.
The top three factors that will go into the total rhinoplasty cost include:
- Surgeon’s Fees
- Anesthesia Fees
- Operating Facility
There are also several pre and post-operative costs associated with a nose job. While these costs probably aren’t going to break the bank, you’ll still want to take them into account when figuring out an accurate price for your rhinoplasty surgery.
- Medical Tests
- Lab Work
- Pre and Post-Op Prescriptions
- Follow-Up Visits
Some of the above factors may be included in the initial cost of your surgery. Speak with your surgeon beforehand to determine if he or she has accounted for these fees in your quote. And because revision rhinoplasty surgery is much more complicated, it’s a good idea to opt for a surgeon who will get it right the first time.
Will my Insurance Cover Nose Job Expenses?
Most patients often wonder if their health insurance will cover the cost of a nose job. The answer to that question depends on two variables focused on the patient’s insurance provider and the type of rhinoplasty procedure they need.
If your main goal is to change the exterior shape of the nose for cosmetic reasons, also known as cosmetic rhinoplasty, it is typically not covered by insurance. However, suppose the interior passages of the nose need altering to improve breathing or correct a deviated septum, also known as functional rhinoplasty. In that case, insurance may cover the cost of the procedure. In some cases, men and women consider a nose job to address a functional issue but also have cosmetic matters they would like to address simultaneously. Unfortunately, there are clinics that do not accept insurance for rhinoplasty procedures, medical or cosmetic.
Whether a medical need or solely for aesthetic reasons, we advise individuals considering rhinoplasty to have an open discussion with a plastic surgeon. Call us so our friendly surgeons can answer any of your questions.
What is the difference between a cosmetic and a medical nose job?
Rhinoplasty is one of the top five most popular cosmetic procedures performed every year in Australia. For some men and women, a nose job is purely for cosmetic reasons to improve their profile and help them feel more confident about how they look.
However, some individuals have a medical need for their rhinoplasty surgery. The primary difference between a cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty is whether a person has full function of their nose prior to the procedure. Patients struggling to breathe properly due to a deviated septum or damage to their nose due to an accident or injury have a medical need for their nose job procedure. Read on for a further breakdown of both types and how insurance coverage is dependent on why a patient may need this type of plastic surgery.
What are the cosmetic reasons for rhinoplasty?
Cosmetic rhinoplasty can help change a person’s nose’s shape, size, and overall appearance. The nose is one of the most predominant features of a person’s face. When a person feels their nose is disproportionate or distracts from their other facial features, consideration of a nose reshaping or rhinoplasty procedure goes to the top of the list. Some common cosmetic requests for a nose job are:
- Narrow the nose bridge
- Remove a bump on the nose bridge
- Narrow or widen the nostrils
- Reshape the nose tip
- Straight a crooked nose
- Alter the angle between the nose and upper lip
What are the medical reasons for rhinoplasty?
In some cases, individuals suffer from a deformity in their nasal passageway that is significant enough to obstruct the airway. A functional or medical rhinoplasty procedure can alleviate or permanently eliminate this problem. Common medical reasons for a nose job are:
- Deviated septum
- Birth deformity or a cleft palate
- Trauma or injury to the nose
- Nasal inflammation due to chronic allergies
Does Insurance cover my Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty?
Liquid rhinoplasty temporarily addresses issues like a dorsal hump (small bump), a drooping nasal tip, and asymmetry. With this procedure, a surgeon injects fillers into a patient’s nose to improve the contours and reshape it. This is usually done with hyaluronic acid (HA), the same type of filler commonly used in cheek and lip fillers.
Over the years, HA has gained a reputation for being safe, effective, and a good alternative to surgery. Juvéderm and Restylane are popular HA brands.
A 2016 study even found that HA gel was able to fix nasal issues that traditional rhinoplasty couldn’t address. It was also shown to correct minor post-rhinoplasty issues. You’re free to undergo rhinoplasty to change the size or shape of your nose, but you need to be aware that the cost of the surgery won’t be free for you. Liquid rhinoplasty cosmetic procedure is not covered by insurance because they aren’t considered medically necessary. So be prepared to pay out of pocket for this procedure.
How do I find out if my nose job is covered by insurance?
In general, cosmetic rhinoplasty procedures are considered elective surgery and are not covered by health insurance. If there is a functional or medical component, such as a problem with breathing or other cause, then that portion of the procedure may be covered by a person’s insurance plan.
Most insurance providers typically reimburse patients for the cost of a rhinoplasty procedure if it corrects or improves breathing due to structural damage or a deformity. All insurance providers have medical criteria and parameters to determine a patient’s medical coverage for surgical procedures. If patients are unsure what type of rhinoplasty procedure they need, then the first step is to consult with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
A rhinoplasty procedure can tackle a myriad of problems cosmetic nose surgery consult, from straightening the profile of the nose, correcting asymmetry, improving the shape, reducing the volume of the nose, and enhancing the airways for better breathing. Rhinoplasty procedures overall make individuals feel better about how they look. Finding out if your insurance plan will cover it is part of the process.
Let our professional team listen to your concerns, evaluate your needs, and answer any questions during a private one-on-one consultation. If you are contemplating a rhinoplasty procedure, we invite you to call us and let our experienced staff help you every step of the way.
References:
https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/procedures/nose-job-cost
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/rhinoplasty/cost
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/financing-your-cosmetic-surgery