North Richmond Today

• 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 of year, and Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free said a balloon sinuplasty procedure is an in-office option that can treat sinus troubles.

"Studies have shown that it's as effective as traditional functional endoscopic sinus surgery," Dr. Ditto said of balloon sinuplasty. "So I can perform a procedure for a patient and improve their recurrent sinusitis by using a minimally invasive technique instead of taking them to the operating room under general anesthesia and performing a sinus bone and membrane destruction procedure where you're removing things. Here, I’m just opening things up, just allowing them to breathe."

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.

According to Richmond Breathe Free's website, Dr. Ditto obtained his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, where he garnered acclaim for his contributions to research. He pursued specialized training in Ear, Nose, and Throat disorders at the University of Michigan's Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, and his research was published in various medical journals.