Rhinoplasty
DESCRIPTION
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to correct nasal contour and/or restore nasal function. Correction of a nasal deformity by rhinoplasty is performed to improve the airway, provide balance to the face and/or to improve appearance.
POLICY
Rhinoplasty is considered medically necessary if the medical appropriateness criteria are met. (See Medical Appropriateness below.)
Rhinoplasty for the purpose of altering the external appearance of the nose in the absence of disease, trauma or injury is considered cosmetic.
Rhinoplasty for the purpose of correcting a nasal deformity due to a previous cosmetic surgery is considered cosmetic.
MEDICAL APPROPRIATENESS
Rhinoplasty is considered medically appropriate if ANY ONE of the following are met:
Nasal obstruction as indicated by ANY ONE of the following:
Vestibular stenosis (i.e., collapsed internal valve)
Nasal obstruction indicated by ALL of the following:
Indicated for ANY ONE of the following:
Secondary to disease
Secondary to congenital abnormality
Secondary to trauma
Unresponsive to a minimum six weeks of conservative medical management
Condition cannot be corrected by septoplasty and/or turbinectomy
Nasal deformity causing functional impairment due to ANY ONE of the following:
Secondary to congenital craniofacial deformity (e.g., cleft lip/palate)
Secondary to disease (e.g., deformity caused by surgery for nasal malignancy)
Secondary to trauma
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Any specific products referenced in this policy are just examples and are intended for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to be a recommendation of one product over another and is not intended to represent a complete listing of all products available. These examples are contained in the parenthetical e.g. statement.
We develop Medical Policies to provide guidance to Members and Providers. This Medical Policy relates only to the services or supplies described in it. The existence of a Medical Policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract for the service (or supply) that is referenced in the Medical Policy. For a determination of the benefits that a Member is entitled to receive under his or her health plan, the Member's health plan must be reviewed. If there is a conflict between the Medical Policy and a health plan or government program (e.g., TennCare), the express terms of the health plan or government program will govern.
SOURCES
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. (2017). Clinical practice guideline: improving nasal form and function after rhinoplasty. Retrieved May 14, 2018 from http://www.entnet.org/content/clinical-practice-guideline-improving-nasal-form-and-function-after-rhinoplasty.
American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. (2018). Parameters for evaluation and treatment of patients with cleft lip/palate or other craniofacial differences. Retrieved May 14, 2018 from www.acpa-cpf.org.
CMS.gov: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Palmetto GBA. (2021, July). Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery (L33428). Retrieved August 8, 2023 from https://www.cms.gov.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/1999
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 9/14/2023
ID_BT
Policies included in the Medical Policy Manual are not intended to certify coverage availability. They are medical determinations about a particular technology, service, drug, etc. While a policy or technology may be medically necessary, it could be excluded in a member's benefit plan. Please check with the appropriate claims department to determine if the service in question is a covered service under a particular benefit plan. Use of the Medical Policy Manual is not intended to replace independent medical judgment for treatment of individuals. The content on this Web site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice in any way. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider if you have questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.
This document has been classified as public information.