Pelican State News

• The majority of Americans receiving health insurance from their employer are subject to an annual deductible.
• If you've already met your deductible, you have the opportunity to save on healthcare costs at the end of the year.
• If you're struggling with sinusitis, a balloon sinuplasty is a quick, in-office procedure that many medical insurance companies cover in some form.

One strategy for cutting costs before the end of the year is to make the most of your health insurance if you've met your deductible. Many sinusitis sufferers have the opportunity to treat their issues at a lower cost during this time, and Dr. Gregory Pippin of ENT & Allergy of New Orleans said most patients who struggle with sinus issues could benefit from a balloon sinuplasty procedure.

"If you're having frequent facial pressure or anybody who's having significant pressure, pain, congestion, etc., all of those patients are good candidates for a balloon procedure. And all the studies have shown that the balloon procedure in those cases dramatically improves quality of life," Dr. Pippin told Pelican State News.

Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation, is a procedure designed to alleviate blocked sinuses, according to Healthline. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005, this relatively new procedure is often colloquially known as the "smart sinus" technique. It's minimally invasive and can be completed in an in-office setting.

In its 2014 statement, the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) advocated for the inclusion of balloon sinuplasty as a standard covered procedure by all insurance providers.

Not only does a balloon sinuplasty cost much less than other traditional sinus procedures, but many insurance companies are now offering either partial or complete coverage of the treatment, according to GoodRX.

Dr. Gregory Pippin is dually certified as both an otolaryngologist and a facial plastic surgeon, according to ENT and Allergy of New Orleans' website. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, and continued with medical education at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Subsequently, he completed a comprehensive residency program covering otolaryngology/head and neck surgery, facial plastic surgery, and reconstructive surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.