If You Are Curious About the Actual-Expense Insurance Claim Process for a Deviated Septum

In addition to smelling,

the nose plays the important

role of breathing.

When a problem develops

inside the nose and makes

breathing difficult,

quality of life can be

significantly reduced.

The most common case

is a deviation of the

cartilage inside the nose.

When the cartilage known as

the nasal septum becomes deviated,

the size of the two nostrils differs.

After breathing only through

the wider nostril for a while,

it becomes overloaded, and the

mucous membrane can swell and

become blocked as well.

If you are suffering from

nasal congestion, a runny nose,

headaches, or snoring,

it is advisable to improve

the condition, even with the

help of actual-expense coverage

for a deviated septum.

Hearing that a surgical

procedure involving an incision

is required can understandably

make you feel frightened.

Compared with conservative treatment,

the recovery period is longer

and the cost is higher,

so many people hesitate.

Even though the procedure is

performed to treat a condition,

many people also worry that it

may be regarded as cosmetic and

therefore not covered by insurance.

However, if the requirements are met,

you may receive actual-expense insurance

benefits for a deviated septum and

resolve the discomfort at a

relatively low cost.

First, let us look at the

requirements for actual-expense

coverage for a deviated septum.

Actual-expense insurance is insurance

that can reimburse part of the costs

paid for outpatient or inpatient care

due to illness or injury.

If an abnormal structure inside

the nose is the cause of a condition

and treatment is required, insurance

coverage may be available.

If chronic sinusitis or maxillary

sinusitis is caused by a deviated

nasal septum, nasal valve stenosis,

nasal polyps, or similar conditions,

making surgical treatment unavoidable,

part of the cost may be covered.

However, please be aware that procedures

such as raising the nasal tip with

remaining cartilage or improving a

crooked nose may be excluded.

What, then, is a deviated septum,

and what problems can it cause?

At the exact center of the nose

is cartilage that serves as a pillar.

Since it functions as a pillar,

it would normally be straight,

but if it curves and becomes deviated

due to congenital or acquired factors,

it is referred to as being “deviated.”

It is an extremely common condition,

present in more than half of adults

in Korea.

However, simply having this condition

does not necessarily mean that

treatment is required.

When the deviation is severe,

it may make the nose appear crooked.

In particular, a significant difference

in the size of the two nasal passages

often leads to various

ear, nose, and throat conditions.

The most common problem is nasal

congestion, because air passes through

only one nostril, significantly reducing

the amount of oxygen entering.

This can gradually lead to a runny nose,

snoring, headaches, and reduced

concentration.

Sleep apnea caused by nasal congestion

can have a serious impact on life,

so the condition should be corrected,

even with the help of actual-expense

insurance coverage for a deviated septum.

The symptoms mentioned above do not

necessarily mean that the nasal septum

is deviated.

Nasal valve stenosis or another

structural abnormality may also

be present.

Because the cause cannot be clearly

determined from appearance alone,

our clinic performs various examinations.

First, we use an endoscope to assess

the degree of narrowing in the nasal

passages, and then perform a 3D CT scan

to examine the internal structures

in detail.

If the cartilage deviation is minor,

medication or conservative treatment

may improve the condition.

However, if the deviation is severe

and no improvement was seen with

previous treatment, the structure itself

needs to be corrected.

During correction, either a complete

incision or a partial incision is selected

according to the degree of cartilage

deviation.

If the nasal septum is severely deviated

and difficult to correct, a complete

incision is performed.

Nasal congestion may improve after

this treatment, but please be aware

that a runny nose caused by allergies

or a common cold may continue.

A nasal packing is placed inside the nose

to control bleeding and is kept in place

for two to three days. During this time,

you will need to breathe through your mouth,

and your nose may appear larger than usual.

The cost of rhinitis surgery is determined

differently according to the diagnostic

classification of Functional Type 2 or

Functional Type 3.

This includes the costs of examinations,

the equipment and medications used during

treatment, and follow-up care.

However, additional options may be charged

depending on the institution.

If you are considering actual-expense

insurance coverage for a deviated septum,

you should check in advance whether the

estimated costs and treatment items are

eligible for insurance processing.

You can also contact your insurance company

with the diagnostic code to find out whether

coverage is available.

The recovery period is

approximately one to two weeks.

The nasal packing is removed after

two to three days, and the stitches

are removed after one week.

Because there is a risk of infection

before the incision has healed,

it is very important to keep the wound

clean and properly cared for.

If tissue was taken from the ear,

ribs, or another area for grafting,

that area also needs to be dressed.

Until the corrected area has healed,

you should rest and avoid impacts

or strong pressure.

If you want to reduce swelling quickly,

alternate cold and warm compresses

and avoid bending your head down.

Because the processing of actual-expense

insurance claims for a deviated septum

differs by insurance company, it is best

to receive confirmation in advance

before proceeding.

If you wish to be reimbursed for part

of the cost after treatment, carefully

collect and submit documents such as

the treatment record, medical opinion,

and receipts.

Nasal congestion may not seem like

a major problem right now, but the

longer it is left untreated, the more

various complications it may cause

and the more it may reduce quality of life,

so correction is advisable.

If you suffer from a runny nose and

nasal congestion throughout the year,

regardless of allergies, or if there has

been no improvement despite taking

medication and undergoing conservative

treatment, address the underlying cause.

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