Does Medicare cover knee replacement?

A person can have knee replacement surgery as an inpatient or outpatient. Different parts of Medicare cover various aspects of someone’s surgery.

Inpatient knee replacement

For inpatient stays, Part A and Part B both cover specific costs.

Part A coverage

Part A covers the cost of knee replacement surgery and its associated hospital costs. Before Medicare starts paying, an individual must have met their Part A deductible of $1,484 in each benefit period.

A benefit period starts the day a person enters a hospital as an inpatient and lasts for 60 days. No coinsurance applies, as long as a person stays in the hospital for less than 60 days in each benefit period.

Part A covers hospital services such as:

• general nursing
• meals
• medication while the person is staying in the medical facility
• other inpatient hospital services, such as imaging scans
• a semiprivate room

Part B coverage

Part B covers costs such as most doctor’s visits before and after the surgery.

It also covers services that help with recovery, such as physical therapy sessions. And if a doctor recommends using a walker or another type of durable medical equipment, Part B covers the cost of the equipment.

A person will be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses associated with the surgery, including the Part B deductible of $203 and 20% coinsurance.

Part D coverage

Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs that a person takes at home following their knee replacement surgery. These could include antibiotics, anticoagulants, or pain relief medications.

The beneficiary may need to pay a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance, depending on the plan.

Learn about Medicare Part D costs.

Outpatient knee replacement

Most people receive knee replacement surgery on an inpatient basis. However, Medicare also covers outpatient knee replacement surgery. This involves the person being in the medical facility for less than 24 hours.

Part A does not cover outpatient surgical costs. Instead, Part B provides the coverage.

Part B would also cover the costs of:

• doctor services
• aftercare
• a cane, walker, or another type of durable medical equipment
• outpatient rehabilitation services, including physical therapy

As with the inpatient surgery, an individual must pay out-of-pocket expenses associated with the outpatient surgery, including the Part B deductible.

A Part D prescription drug program should cover any necessary medications that a doctor prescribes following knee replacement surgery.

Doctors sometimes recommend outpatient surgery instead of the traditional inpatient surgery.

Anyone opting for outpatient surgery can choose between an ambulatory surgical center — where people undergo surgery but stay no longer than 24 hours — and a hospital outpatient department.

The surgical procedure is the same for inpatients and outpatients. The differences involve the preparation for the surgery, the length of the hospital stay, and the location of postoperative recovery.

Doctors also refer to knee replacement surgery as “total knee replacement,” “total knee arthroplasty,” and “arthroplasty of the knee.”

Many factors contribute to the total cost of this major surgery. These include:

• how long the operation takes
• the type and quantity of anesthetic
• the number of scans before, during, and after the procedure
• any medications for pain relief, to prevent infection, and to reduce the risk of blood clots
• how many days a person spends in the hospital after the surgery
• physical therapy services during recovery

With so many elements involved, it can be challenging to predict the cost of knee replacement surgery. However, a person can learn about the anticipated costs of the surgery and aftercare by checking with the surgeon, clinic, or both.

Costs also depend on whether a person has inpatient or outpatient surgery. People expecting to stay in the hospital need to factor in the price of accommodation and overnight monitoring.

Learn more about knee replacement surgery.

A doctor may recommend alternatives to surgery for knee issues. Part B currently covers the following options if a doctor confirms that they are medically necessary.

Nerve therapy

As the knee joint wears down over time, some people find that this causes pinching in the nerves that run past the knee.

Specialists use computer technology to visualize where the bones compress the nerve. They then relieve the pinched nerve by moving it out of the way. This nonsurgical technique alleviates pressure and reduces pain.

Learn more about treating a pinched nerve.

Unloader knee brace

Arthritis in the knee often affects the inside of the joint, which can lead to uneven wear and tear. It can also cause a person’s knees to wobble when they are walking.

This uneven pressure may lead to pain and weakness in the knee, and some people need to use a brace, such as an unloader knee brace, to help.

Medicare Part B usually covers 80% of the cost of an unloader knee brace. It has a molded foam and steel structure that limits the sideways motion of the knee. This helps realign the knee and can reduce pain.

Research suggests that doctors should recommend this type of brace before they consider surgery for people with severe knee osteoarthritis.

Viscosupplementation

Hyaluronic acid is a natural lubricant that supports the fluid in healthy joints and eases movement. Viscosupplementation is a procedure in which a doctor injects hyaluronic acid into the knee joint between the bones.

This relieves pain and can improve the range of movement. Treatments last around 6 months.

Medicare covers the procedure as a medical necessity — when the underlying condition’s symptoms are clear, and when they significantly affect daily life and have not responded positively to other types of treatment for at least 3 months.

A doctor needs to provide a diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee or evidence that excludes any other diagnosis.

Learn how this procedure compares with knee replacement.

If a doctor recommends knee replacement surgery, Medicare should cover the costs. Parts A and B pay for different inpatient costs, and Part B pays for outpatient procedures, aftercare, and consultations.

Part D covers prescribed medications that a person takes home to support their recovery.

Different out-of-pocket expenses apply for each part. A person should check with Medicare to be sure that they understand the out-of-pocket costs before scheduling any procedure.