How to get more sinus surgery patients

Sinus surgery is a procedure some patients pay for themselves and others ask their insurer about, and how it is described shapes who books and what they expect. Many callers mention sinus infections that keep coming back, a blocked or stuffy nose, facial pain or pressure, or a loss of smell. This guide is for owners, coordinators and front desk teams in ENT (otolaryngology) practices: what MedlinePlus and the NIDCD say about sinusitis, nasal polyps and sinus surgery, which claims to avoid, and how to turn requests into well-informed consultations. Here, the ENT surgeon examines the nose and sinuses and decides which tests are needed, and the surgeon and patient decide together on surgery and the procedure.

SearchAn adult looks for care near them.
Your pageWhat you treat, who sees them, one way to book.
Call or formThey call or send a request.
Front deskBooks the visit and never guesses a cause.
Clinical teamThe clinician decides the plan.

How a new patient request reaches your practice.

1. Know what sinus surgery is and is not

The MedlinePlus sinusitis topic page says “Sinusitis means your sinuses are inflamed.” The MedlinePlus article on sinusitis says “Surgery to enlarge the sinus opening and drain the sinuses may also be needed.” The topic page also says “Your health care professional diagnoses sinusitis based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face.”

Care usually starts with medicines and other treatments, not surgery. The MedlinePlus page on sinusitis in adults says “Many cases of sinusitis clear up on their own.” The MedlinePlus article on nasal polyps says “Medicines may help relieve symptoms, but rarely get rid of nasal polyps.” It also says “If medicines don’t work, or you have very large polyps, you may need surgery to remove them.”

The sinusitis article says “If you are having repeated attacks, you should be checked for causes such as nasal polyps or other problems, such as allergies.” For callers who mention a loss of smell, the NIDCD page on smell disorders says “Diagnosis by a doctor is important to identify and treat the underlying cause of a potential smell disorder.” Only a physician diagnoses sinus problems, and the physician or surgeon decides whether imaging or a nasal endoscopy is needed. The front desk does not say whether a caller has chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps or a deviated septum or needs surgery.

Some callers ask for a sinus CT scan only, or bring images from another clinic. Book the evaluation the same way, give the price, do not promise which imaging the surgeon will order or what it will show, and do not promise surgery based on an earlier scan.

Do not present surgery or a named technique as the only answer or as a sure fix. The surgeon explains the options and decides on treatment with the patient.

Many visits involve a referral, often from a primary care doctor or an allergist. The sinusitis in adults page says “Your provider may also refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor or an allergy specialist for testing and advice about treatment.” Make the hand off from referring clinicians easy, and never offer or accept payment for referrals. See also patient referrals for medical practices, how to get more allergy patients and how to get more sleep apnea patients.

2. Keep claims in line with the risk information

MedlinePlus gives a balanced picture of surgery. Its nose and sinus surgery articles list the risks.

the nasal polyps article lists complications including bleeding, infection and polyps coming back after treatment;
the MedlinePlus nasal septum repair article lists general risks of anesthesia and surgery such as allergic reactions to medicines, breathing problems, bleeding and infection, and risks of that surgery, including return of the nasal blockage, scarring, a hole in the septum, changes in skin sensation and loss of smell or taste.

On results, the nasal polyps article says “Polyps may come back, even after surgery.” It also says “Loss of smell or taste does not always improve following treatment with medicine or surgery.” Do not promise easier breathing, an end to sinus infections, a return of smell, a recovery time or any other outcome in ads or on the phone.

Procedure choice belongs in the exam room. The sinusitis article lists “Imaging tests that may be used to decide on treatment” among the exams. Do not push a named technique or add-ons; the surgeon explains the options after the exam, and the surgeon and patient decide together.

Write about patients with respect. Do not use fear copy about infections spreading, losing the sense of smell or a lifetime of sinus infections, do not blame or shame people about smoking, allergies, asthma or how often they get sick, and avoid shock images and deadline pressure. Do not use a named technique or a device as an ad hook. Keep ad copy aimed at adults, and never target minors in ads or social campaigns. Do not build ad audiences from sinus infections, allergies, asthma, nasal polyps, past imaging, test results, medicines or other health information.

Be careful with children and teenagers. Most requests come from adults, but some calls will be from a parent about a child or teenager with sinus or nose problems. The sinusitis article says “The health care provider will examine you or your child for sinusitis”. Do not tell parents that a child needs sinus surgery or that any treatment will fix it. For a minor, a parent or guardian books and consents, and the surgeon decides whether and when treatment makes sense. If you text or email about an appointment for a minor, use the parent’s or guardian’s contact details and consent; see texting patients and the TCPA.

Avoid “sinus surgery guarantees”, “no more sinus infections”, “permanent relief”, “painless”, “cure”, “balloon sinuplasty”, “laser sinus surgery”, “minimally invasive”, “no packing”, “no downtime”, “risk-free”, “guaranteed results”, “insurance will cover it” and “FDA-approved”. Better: “the surgeon will examine your nose and sinuses, explain the options, starting with medicines and other treatments, and help you decide whether and when surgery makes sense”.

3. Answer first-call questions honestly

How much does it cost? Give a clear starting price, say what it includes (consultation, any nasal endoscopy or imaging the surgeon orders, the surgery, anesthesia, follow-up visits) and that what the surgeon finds, which procedure the surgeon and patient choose and whether more medical treatment is tried first affect the total. Say whether the consultation, nasal endoscopy and imaging are priced separately.
Does insurance pay? Do not promise coverage. Coverage varies by plan, so the practice checks each patient’s plan.
Do I need sinus surgery? “We cannot tell that on the phone. The surgeon will ask about your symptoms, how long and how often they happen, what you have already tried, your health and medicines, examine your nose and sinuses and talk with you about the options, including medicines and whether surgery makes sense.”
Will I be asleep? Do not promise a type of anesthesia; the surgeon explains the options.
Who does the work? Give the surgeon’s name and real credentials. Let callers check them with the state medical board.

When a caller asks about insurance, staff take the plan details and say the practice will check; they never say the treatment will be covered.

Leave screening to the surgeon. Your intake form can ask the patient’s age, the reason for the visit, the main nose or sinus symptoms, how long and how often they happen, what has been tried and what the patient’s doctor has prescribed, any past sinus imaging or nose or sinus surgery, the referring clinician, current medicines, allergies and health conditions; for a minor, the parent or guardian fills it in. MedlinePlus says “Your provider will perform a physical exam that focuses on the ears, nose, throat, and airways.” Never tell a caller to stop a medicine by a certain date, and never suggest a medicine, nasal spray, rinse or home remedy. Medicine changes before surgery are for the surgeon to explain; MedlinePlus says “Ask your surgeon which medicines you should still take on the day of surgery.” The front desk does not judge how urgent a call is. Pass any report of changes in vision, swelling of the forehead, eyes, side of the nose or cheek, a severe headache, a fever, a stiff neck, confusion, trouble breathing, a heavy nosebleed, bleeding after sinus or nose surgery, or pain after surgery that is getting worse to the clinical team promptly. The MedlinePlus sinusitis article says “Contact your provider if:” and lists “Your symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days or you have a cold that gets worse after 7 days.”, “You have a severe headache that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicine.”, “You have a fever.”, “You still have symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics properly.”, “You have any changes in your vision during a sinus infection.” Relay these. The MedlinePlus sinusitis in adults page says “Contact your provider if:” and lists “Your symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days.”, “You have a severe headache that does not get better when you use pain medicine.”, “You have a fever.”, “You still have symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics properly.”, “You have any changes in your vision.”, “You notice small growths in your nose.” Relay these. The MedlinePlus nasal polyps article says “Contact your provider if you often find it hard to breathe through your nose.” Relay that. The MedlinePlus nasal septum repair discharge page lists “A heavy nosebleed, and you cannot stop it” among the reasons to contact the provider, and the MedlinePlus nosebleed article says “Contact your health care provider if:” and lists “You or your child has frequent nosebleeds”, “Your nose may be broken (for example, it looks crooked after a hit to the nose or other injury)”, “Nosebleeds are not associated with a cold or other minor irritation”, “Nosebleeds occur after sinus or other surgery”. The list is quoted whole, as MedlinePlus writes it. Under “Get emergency care if:”, the nosebleed article lists “Bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes.”, “Nose bleeding occurs after a head injury. This may suggest a skull fracture, and x-rays or other imaging should be taken.”, “Your nose may be broken (for example, it looks crooked after a hit to the nose or other injury).”, “You are taking medicines to prevent your blood from clotting (blood thinners).”, “You have had nosebleeds in the past that needed specialist care to treat.” If a caller reports a nosebleed that will not stop, or a nosebleed after a head injury, during the call, also tell the caller to seek emergency care. The surgeon decides whether someone is a candidate and which treatment is suitable. Front desk staff only collect the answers. Use the new patient phone script for the rest of the call, and book the consultation, not the treatment, while the caller is on the line.

4. Plan the consultation, surgery day and recovery

The sinusitis article says “The provider may view the sinuses through a fiberoptic scope (called nasal endoscopy or rhinoscopy) to diagnose sinusitis.” The topic page adds “You may also need imaging tests.” Tell callers that the choice of care comes after the exam.

Make second opinions easy, and give patients time to try medicines and other treatments first, as the surgeon advises.

For surgery day and recovery, ask your surgeons for written notes on preparing for surgery, a ride home, nose care and nose blowing as the surgeon sets it, any packing or splints, warning signs and follow-up visits. MedlinePlus says “Follow up with your surgeon as you have been told.” Share them with callers and parents early. Aftercare depends on the treatment; the surgeon gives exact instructions and sets the follow-up schedule.

5. Price, finance and follow up

Self-pay patients may be entitled to a good faith estimate; see the good faith estimate guide.
If you advertise a discount, follow advertising prices and specials. Avoid deadline pressure on a treatment decision.
If you offer financing, follow the patient financing guide.
Before-and-after photos need written authorization and honest comparisons; see before-and-after photos. FTC guides treat a patient’s result as typical unless you disclose what patients can generally expect.
Follow up after the consultation without pressure; see consultation to treatment. Track sinus surgery requests and referrals separately, from request to consultation to treatment, and keep the notes the surgeon needs for follow-up visits.

Where MediLeadGen fits

MediLeadGen sends practices requests from people interested in cash-pay elective treatments. Each request goes to one practice only, with the person’s consent naming that practice, at a fixed price per delivered request.

See how it works for practices

Questions practices ask

How do we get more sinus surgery patients?

Answer requests quickly, give clear prices and what they include, introduce the surgeon by real credentials, keep claims in line with the risk information, make referrals and second opinions easy, and book a consultation where the surgeon can ask about symptoms, how long and how often they happen and what has been tried, examine the nose and sinuses and explain the options, starting with medicines and other treatments.

Can we promise callers an end to sinus infections or a return of their sense of smell?

No. MedlinePlus says polyps may come back, even after surgery, and that loss of smell or taste does not always improve following treatment with medicine or surgery. Staff collect intake answers only, and the surgeon and patient decide on surgery and the procedure after the exam.

What should the front desk do when a caller reports a nosebleed that will not stop, changes in vision or signs of trouble after surgery?

Collect the intake answers and pass any report of changes in vision, swelling of the forehead, eyes, side of the nose or cheek, a severe headache, a fever, a stiff neck, confusion, trouble breathing, a heavy nosebleed, bleeding after sinus or nose surgery, or pain after surgery that is getting worse to the clinical team promptly, and tell a caller with a nosebleed that will not stop, or a nosebleed after a head injury, to seek emergency care. The front desk does not judge how urgent a call is or suggest a treatment or medicine; the surgeon decides.

Does insurance cover sinus surgery?

Coverage varies by plan. Check each patient’s plan, and do not promise coverage in ads or on the phone.

General information for practice teams, not legal or clinical advice. Check device labeling, FDA requirements, state rules and your advertising with counsel and your clinicians. Last reviewed October 2026.

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How to get more sinus surgery patients: a plan for practices