Traveling United States and International Patients

Our Microtia & Ear Canal Atresia team at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health is internationally recognized for our treatment, education, and research of microtia. We care for patients near and far and will do our best to accommodate your special needs. Our goal is to provide the best experience for you and your child.

What determines candidacy for surgery?

Patients and their families meet with the microtia team, both Kay Chang, MD and Mai Thy Truong, MD, to determine if a patient is a good candidate for surgery. Factors considered:

  • Patient age and chest frame size.
  • Patient maturity and willingness to undergo surgery.
  • Patient’s CT scan findings to determine the safety of an ear canal reconstruction.
  • Patient’s audiogram and hearing status.

Financial clearance

Please contact your health plan directly to determine whether it covers microtia and aural atresia surgery.

We cannot schedule patients for microtia surgery until we have validated coverage and authorization for the procedure from your health plan. Depending on your insurer, this may take several weeks.

Patients outside of California (out-of-state)

Typically, national insurance plan PPOs (such as Blue Cross PPO) will cover surgeries done at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. If you do not have a national insurance plan PPO, please contact your insurer for guidance.

If your health plan does not cover or authorize microtia surgery, we do have cash payment options. Please contact our Financial Counseling team at (650) 736-2273 to learn more.

For domestic patients within the United States, you can contact us at contactmicrotia.stanfordchildrens.org or call (650) 999-6835 for appointments and more information.

International patients

For international patients, the Stanford Children International Patient Services (SCIPS) program is committed to serving the needs of our international patients and those who join them on their journey to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. International service staff will help arrange appointments, guide you in travel and lodging arrangements, and answer questions about billing and cash payment options. They can also assist with embassy-facilitated visits. If you are from outside of the United States and wish to request an appointment, you can contact us at: