20 Sep Nose correction health insurance: When does it cover the costs?

Certain nose shapes can affect the aesthetics of the face

Broad nose

Measured against the other facial proportions, the broad nose - as the name suggests - is too broad. It appears barrel-shaped overall. The nostrils are also often not clearly visible. The widening can affect the tip of the nose with the bony area, the base of the nose or the cartilaginous part of the bridge of the nose.

Hooked nose

Its characteristics are a curved bridge of the nose and a nose tip that curves downwards. The hooked nose is conspicuous and many people find it particularly unsightly.

Crooked nose

It is quite common overall. The crooked nose has a laterally shifted course, its axis is uneven. As a result, it tilts visibly to the left or right. This not only causes visual impairment, but also functional impairment. A crooked nose is usually caused by a curved nasal septum. This so-called deviated septum can impede free breathing.

Saddle nose

The saddle nose is quite broad and plump, has a short nasal bridge, a clearly protruding tip and insufficient cartilage tissue on the nasal bridge. This results in a visible depression on the bridge of the nose, so that the nose resembles the shape of a saddle in profile.

bumpy nose

A very common nose shape that is perceived as annoying by those affected is the humped nose. Here, the bones and cartilage along the bridge of the nose are excessively pronounced, creating an elevation. Similar to the hooked nose, but in a much lighter form, the tip of the nose can be slightly curved downwards.

Nose correction enables more harmonious proportions for unfavourable nose shapes

With an operative Rhinoplastyas we do in our ENT clinic in Frankfurt we can positively influence your facial proportions.

Depending on the shape of the nose, the extent of the deformity and the desired result, we use different surgical techniques. There is the open and the closed surgical method. In the open technique, we make a small incision on the bridge of the nose and detach the skin from the tip of the nose. We then fold it upwards to allow a clear view of the bony area. The closed technique, which is suitable for smaller corrections, is different. Here, we operate on your nose from the inside via an incision in each nostril.

Based on these two basic surgical methods, we can reduce the size of your bony nasal bridge, narrow an overly wide nasal base or change the position of the tip of the nose by raising or lowering it. We can fill indentations on the bridge of the nose or remove humps. Particularly important from an ENT point of view: we can straighten a crooked nasal septum.

Nose correction health insurance: Are all nose operations paid for?

As a rule, health insurance companies do not pay for aesthetic surgery, i.e. treatments that are not medically necessary. In this case, you will have to bear the costs yourself.

The situation is different for procedures that have a medical indication. This means that the costs of a nose correction can be covered in full or in part by health insurance if the operation improves your nasal breathing, i.e. your health. This is the case, for example, if a curved nasal septum is straightened and your free breathing is impaired as a result. However, please note: If aesthetic aspects are integrated into the operation at the same time, the insurance company will only cover the costs for straightening the nasal septum, but not for the rest.

In order to Assumption of costs you must submit an application to the health insurance fund. This requires written confirmation of the medical indication for the operation from the ENT doctorin this case Dr Thomas Fischer.

Rhinoplasty with possible cost coverage by health insurance: nasal septum surgery

A curvature of the nasal septum can be congenital or develop in the course of physical development (e.g. as a result of the posterior bony and anterior cartilaginous parts growing at different rates). Sometimes a curvature of the nasal septum can also develop after an accident or a nasal injury, such as an unrecognised nasal fracture.

If the septum is bent, this creates constrictions in the nasal passages. As a result, more air flows into one nostril than the other. As a result, those affected often have difficulty breathing, especially during physical exertion. Due to the lack of air, they often breathe unconsciously through their mouth. The mucous membranes in the throat dry out. This can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Other symptoms can also be associated with a deviated septum: migraine-like headaches, snoring and interrupted breathing during sleep, frequent nosebleeds, repeated middle ear infections, odour disorders or even a huffy and nasal-sounding voice.

To straighten the nasal septum surgically, we make a small internal incision on the front edge of the nasal septum. This allows us to detach the mucous membrane from the cartilage and bone. Using special incision techniques, we can dissolve the curvature and thus straighten the septum. After the procedure, you will need to wear special silicone splints that remain in your nose for 4 days.

If at the same time a Nasal concha hyperplasia If the nasal turbinates are present, we can also remove them during the same procedure by Laser conchotomy downsize.

In both cases, there is a medical indication, as the aim is to improve free breathing. In this case, your health insurance company may cover the costs of the rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty Frankfurt at the Goethe10 ENT Specialist Clinic

If you are not satisfied with the function of your nose and/or its shape, we can help you. Make an appointment at our ENT clinic in Frankfurt. Dr Fischer will examine you carefully and explain the treatment options to you. He will also provide you with initial information on the cost coverage of rhinoplasty by your health insurance company.

ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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