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Botox – Botulinum Toxin Injections

What is “Botox”?

• Botulinum toxin (B. toxin) is a “neuro toxin” which paralyzes any muscle it comes in contact with.
• When used as a medication, B. toxin is very powerful, and must be given by specially trained physicians.
• There are a few different companies which manufacture B. toxin, each under different brand names. The most common variety of B. toxin is “Botox”, manufactured by Allergan.

What is Botox used for?

• There are numerous diseases which are associated with “muscle spasms” or “stiffness”. For such conditions, B. toxin is an appropriate medication to “relax” those muscles.

What is the difference between “Cosmetic” and “Therapeutic” Botox?

• The drug is the same, but the use is vastly different.
• With Cosmetic Botox, the drug is injected into various muscles (typically the facial muscles) to eliminate wrinkles.
• Insurance does NOT pay for Cosmetic Botox.
• With Therapeutic Botox, the drug is injected into various muscles of the face, arms, legs, or back to alleviate a problem caused by a specific medical condition.
• Usually, insurance companies will pay for therapeutic Botox treatments.

How much does Botox cost?

• For Cosmetic Botox, it can cost around $13 to $15 per unit, and it is NOT covered by insurance plans.
  • A “typical” Cosmetic Botox session can involve injecting 30-100 units, depending on what we are trying to achieve.
• For Therapeutic Botox, if your insurance approves the treatment, your cost will typically be just your co-pay.
• Please speak with our financial / insurance department to get further information about your specific insurance plan.