PHX Reporter

• 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 Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free said a balloon sinuplasty procedure could be an option to treat sinusitis. 

"Balloon sinuplasty is performed in offices, which means there are no hospitals and those extra hidden fees are avoided," Dr. Stewart told PHX Reporter. "This procedure is minimally invasive, safe, painless, fast and effective. It typically takes around 30 minutes, and then you are on your way back home.

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. Stewart earned his bachelor's degree in biology with Summa Cum Laude honors from Grand Canyon University, according to Arizona Breathe Free's website. He obtained his medical degree from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency training in Otorhinolaryngology/Facial and Surgery at the Freeman Hospital & Health System in Joplin, Missouri. Following his residency, Stewart further specialized in Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery through a fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Paparella and Dr. Hamed Sajjadi.