Grand Canyon Times

• 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. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy said a balloon sinuplasty procedure can be done right in the office to treat sinusitis.

"One of the biggest advances in our field has been the advent of something called balloon sinuplasty. The best part about it is that we're able to do these procedures in the office under local anesthesia," Dr. Lee told the Grand Canyon Times. "There's minimal downtime, so patients are really able to get a large amount of relief relatively quickly with minimal downtime."

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. Lee completed his medical education at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, where he graduated as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, according to Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy's website. Following this, he underwent his internship and residency in otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) at the University of Southern California. Dr. Lee was voted one of the Valley's "Top Doctors" by Phoenix Magazine in both 2015 and 2016.