No, not unless you have Medicaid. Medicaid requires a referral from your Passport Provider (primary care doctor) to us.

Yes! In rare cases, if we determine your needs cannot be met by our office, we may suggest a suitable alternative provider so we don't waste your time.

(most likely) Yes! We are contracted with nearly all medical insurance companies. If you want to double check, just text or call us!

Yes. We understand the cost of medical insurance is out of control. In many cases, paying cash for expensive services, like surgery, means a lower out of pocket cost to you even though that cash paid doesn't go towards your deductible. Ask about this option and we can get creative with you to lower your costs.

Yes! We are happy to see anyone- insured or not! Please ask us for a menu of prices so you know what to expect financially. We offer a 10% discount for same-day full payment and offer payment plans in certain situations. Please ask about our cash-pay options for in-OR surgical services.

Yes! During the COVID pandemic, Dr. Dodson saw 100% of our patients via telemedicine and found it to be very powerful. Unfortunately, we cannot deliver telemedicine consultations to those outside the state of Montana as Dr. Dodson's medical license is specific for Montana.

Although we'd be happy to see you in person, we understand the cost may be prohibitive. We have treated many Canadian patients- all of whom remarked at how easy the process was to get expedited medical care from us. If a face-to-face consultation isn't right for you, please consider our service, Second Opinion Solutions (SOS), as this might provide you some answers.

SOS is a consultative process by which Dr. Dodson can render a medical opinion based on medical records (notes, imaging, etc) you provide or our Bridger ENT team obtains on your behalf. After reviewing the medical records, Dr. Dodson will transmit a report answering up to a maximum of 5 questions you submit. Unfortunately, US medical insurance does not cover the cost of SOS, but you may be able to use your Health Savings Account (check your benefits). SOS is a $750 USD per occurrence service. Patients have found SOS to be highly valuable.

No. There are excellent companies in the Gallatin Valley who provide this service to our patients. We'd be happy to point you in the right direction.

Yes! We have a multi-lingual translation phone service that is easy to use. Bringing a bilingual family member or friend is always helpful.

Too many to list on the website! Please contact us if you have concerns about a particular condition so we can verify we will meet your needs.

Surgery times are set on the business day before surgery. Your surgery facility (Bozeman Outpatient Surgery Center or Bozeman Deaconess Hospital) will call you on the business day before surgery. If you haven't received a phone call by 3pm, call our office for help.

If prescription medications are needed after surgery, Dr. Dodson nearly always sends these to your pharmacy before surgery. Call us if you need help locating them.

Call us! Texting our main number also works well during business hours. A team member will help you right away. Obviously, if you feel it is life-threatening, go to the ER or call 911.

That's a fair question. Experience and repetition in medicine does matter- you should always thoroughly investigate your surgeon. Please contact us to get the information you need to make an informed choice. Suffice to say, since working in ENT since 2002, Dr. Dodson has amassed a record of thousands of surgeries depending on the type.

Swelling, septal splints or dissolvable nasal packing can make it tough to rinse. Dr. Dodson recommends switching to saline spray and taking a 24 hour break before resuming rinses. Call or text us if you need help.

Make sure you're following proper rinsing technique and never blow your nose hard after rinsing. When rinsing, keep your head mostly level to the floor, gently squeeze the bottle, and always keep your mouth open.

Yes! We love being able to offer in-office procedures to prevent patients the cost and hassle of in-OR surgery, when it's appropriate.

Lots! Dr. Dodson performs adult ear tube placement (myringotomy with or without tube placement), adult intra-tympanic steroid injection, VivAer, RhinAer, eustachian tube balloon dilation, inferior turbinate submucous resection, inferior turbinate coblation reduction, inferior turbinate radiofrequency reduction, balloon sinus ostial dilation (balloon sinuplasty), facial laceration repair, nasal fracture repair and reduction. Other minor procedures, performed nearly every day, include: ear wax (cerumen) removal, pediatric and adult nasal cautery with silver nitrate and adult nasal cautery with bipolar or suction cautery, digital nasal endoscopy, digital endoscopic sinus debridement, digital endoscopic sinus culture, digital endoscopic nasal and sinus biopsy, digital endoscopic control of nasal bleeding, adult digital video laryngoscopy, neonatal laryngoscopy, pediatric laryngoscopy, adult and pediatric digital stroboscopic video laryngoscopy, adult digital video nasopharyngoscopy, pediatric nasopharyngoscopy, intra-nasal diagnostic incisional biopsy, and intra-oral diagnostic incisional and excisional biopsy. Along with diagnostic skin biopsy, skin incision and drainage of abscess, auricular hematoma and auricular seroma incision and drainage with bolster placement, peritonsillar abscess incision and drainage, ear foreign body removals, nasal foreign body removals, cosmetic ear lobe repair, and others...whew!

In general, you will receive a bill from our office (the surgeon's fee), your anesthesiology service (Gallatin Valley Anesthesia Associates), and the surgical facility (Bozeman Outpatient Surgery Center or Bozeman Deaconess Hospital). For patients with private or government insurance, all claims will be submitted directly to insurance. Please contact us if you have billing questions.