Balloon Sinuplasty: Cheaper Sinusitis Treatment With and Without Insurance
There are almost 30 million people who suffer from chronic rhinosinusitis. Most patients will get relief from their symptoms after receiving medical treatment, including antibiotics that might not heal them. However, if your symptoms continue for more than a year, your doctor may suggest endoscopic sinus surgery, which is costly. Due to its outpatient nature and the possibility of using only local anesthesia, balloon sinuplasty is less costly.
Even for patients who do not have health insurance, balloon sinuplasty is often a more cost-effective option than other surgical procedures.
A Table Comparison Between Balloon Sinuplasty and Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Below is a table comparing the two processes:
Balloon Sinuplasty
Procedure
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery VS Balloon Sinuplasty
Your specific experiences and circumstances will determine whether endoscopic sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty is a better option for treating your sinus problems.
The following comparison details the most significant distinctions between the two possible courses of treatment:
Cost
Sinus Surgery
Without health insurance, sinus surgery can range anywhere from $4,700 to $11,500 on average when you factor in the care expense for the 45 days following surgery. The cost is high because it includes:
- Antibiotics
- Sinus debridement
- Other procedures
- Long-term medication management
The total amount can hit $13,772.
A health plan will cover some of the costs; nevertheless, it will not cover the entire process. Furthermore, the price could be disadvantageous if you have high deductibles. This factor is because should you incur out-of-pocket costs, your provider will not reimburse you until you meet (pay out-of-pocket expenses equal to) your deductible, which may take time.
Balloon Sinuplasty
For balloon sinuplasty, it will cost from $2,000 to $7,000. Prices for the procedure can vary depending on the physician who performs it, the facility’s location, and the patient’s specific medical condition. It has a lower cost because it is:
- An outpatient procedure performed in the doctor’s office
- Fast
- With fewer complications chances
- Performed with fewer medical equipment
Due to lower costs, balloon sinuplasty is affordable even without insurance coverage. Nonetheless, it is also covered by most insurances and Medicare, easing your healthcare expenses even more.
Recovery
It takes your nose anywhere from one to two days to fully heal after balloon sinuplasty. Patients can often return to non-strenuous activities within 48 hours of the treatment, which helps decrease the cost of the process. This process is the most effective one compared to endoscopic sinus surgery.
During endoscopic sinus surgery, you will most likely need to take additional time off of work, usually up to one week. It will take anywhere from one to three weeks for your nose to feel fully recovered. After the surgery, you can suffer some slight bleeding and swelling. It is normal and can happen with either treatment option.
Procedure
A balloon sinuplasty procedure does not entail patients being put to sleep beforehand. However, most patients receive IV sedation for a “twilight sleep” state. Patients in this state are awake and able to answer questions from their doctors, yet, the vast majority of patients do not remember the procedure an hour later.
In sinus surgery, the patient will be sleeping while the endoscopic sinus surgery process is ongoing. The process takes around 1 to 3 hours and includes cutting bone or tissue, so patients need to utilize packing afterward. Your physician will give you a prescription for pain medicine to help you cope with the discomfort as you recover from the surgical operation.
Conclusion
Balloon sinuplasty is more successful and safer than traditional methods like endoscopic sinus surgery, which is riskier. It is also less expensive than long-term pharmaceutical management, with costs of $2,449 annually and less impact on the patient’s health.
Your health insurance may soon cover balloon sinuplasty, given that the Academy of Otolaryngology proposed that all health insurances cover the procedure. Check with your insurer about coverage, and schedule an appointment with Advanced Sinus Relief Centers to learn more and find out if Balloon Sinuplasty is right for you!
