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Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritic Knees
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Apr 25 8:56am | Replies (298)Comment receiving replies
After recently speaking with my insurance company (I do not have Medicare) they will cover for knees the following: stem cells, PRP injections, Hyaluronate Injections, Bone Marrow Aspirate, Botox Injections, and Autologous Cultured Chondrocytes. But these procedures/injections must be proven to be medically necessary by your provider and the patient must meet certain criteria as dictated the insurance company. Anyone can find out what the criteria is and policy of their insurance company by googling some key words i.e., Medical Policy PRP injections CIGNA Kentucky. Or something like Medical Policy Osteoarthritis (name of your carrier) PRP injections, Maryland. These are just a few examples but I believe everyone may get the idea. Here is a link to one I found for Arkansas, Blue Cross Blue Shield. arkansasbluecross.com/members/other_links/coverage_policy.aspx. The CPT code for PRP injections is 0232T. Hope this info helps.
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Hi @scsm! I called my insurance (Aetna) and also read the policy. Sadly, their requirements are so stringent, in essence, it still does not cover any of the procedures! Stem cell use is covered under "transplants" and use of stem cells is considered, but if related to fighting cancer. 🙁
In any event, I have had very positive results from PRP on my lower back and knees, so I do recommend the treatment, when done by a competent and legitimate professional. In the near future, though my insurance will not cover the cost of the procedure, I do plan to have stem cell injections in my knees (same clinic and doctor).
-Dee