West NY 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 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. Joseph Capo of Capo Nose & Sinus Center said a balloon sinuplasty is a beneficial procedure with a quick recovery period that sinusitis patients can benefit from.

"Balloon sinuplasty typically has a quick recovery period," Capo told West NY News. "Recovery can be broken down into two phases. Immediately after the procedure, you may experience some discomfort once the anesthesia wears off. Pain medication is provided, but most patients only have pain for the first 12 to 24 hours, as a result, the majority of patients can return to work within a few days."

Balloon sinuplasty, alternatively named balloon catheter dilation, is a method 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 service by all insurance providers.

According to GoodRX, 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.

Dr. Capo is the founder of Capo Nose and Sinus Center, according to their website. Having concluded a five-year residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, his primary emphasis was on treating individuals with sinus and nasal disorders. He has performed more than 1000 sinus procedures and also carries out septoplasty and Latera nasal valve implant procedures directly in the office setting.