What does medicare provide after hip replacement surgery?

Posted by cindiwass @cindiwass, Apr 3, 2022

I have Medicare and am hoping (?) to go for a hip replacement FINALLY after waiting probably too long since I am now in extreme pain while walking. So it's almost like mandatory for me, hoping for the best, naturally. But I wonder -- my husband is handicapped, he can take care of himself although I'm always scared about him falling, and I wonder what Medicare provides for the recovery portion? Thanks for any help. I will see the doctor this week and I guess I can ask him, but was thinking someone here might help me with an answer.

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@cindiwass, Until others with hip replacement experience respond I thought I would share these two related articles that discuss what is covered under Medicare.

-- Does Medicare Cover Hip Replacement and Associated Costs?: https://www.helpadvisor.com/medicare/does-medicare-cover-hip-replacement-and-associated-costs
-- Does Medicare Cover Hip Replacements?: https://www.medicare.org/articles/does-medicare-cover-hip-replacements/

I would also make a list of your questions to take with you to your doctor's appointment so that you can make sure you get them answered.

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Thanks. I did already look at that. I will certainly speak to my doctor and will also call Medicare. Ty for responding.

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From my conversation with the Medicare rep she said in order for me to get nursing home care I have to be in hospital three days. I don't think my Dr will want me in hospital three days. I hear it can be in and out or at the most overnight. I'll have to inquire.

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Ask your doctor about a rehab facility. They used to pay for this; not sure if they still do.
It is for people that live alone or don't have anyone to take care of them. It is short term. They get you started on your physical therapy.
Good luck!

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@nutmeg56

Ask your doctor about a rehab facility. They used to pay for this; not sure if they still do.
It is for people that live alone or don't have anyone to take care of them. It is short term. They get you started on your physical therapy.
Good luck!

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Thanks. I called Medicare (several times) -- unfortunately the respondents (people they hire) sometimes don't know what they're talking about, and unfortunately can't even read the information. So that's kind of unfortunate. I got some conflicting information. In the meantime, my husband said he can manage if I'm in hospital for 3 days. My doctor prefers that I stay in hospital. I've heard a couple of situations where people came home too early (elderly ones) and had bad reactions with serious consequences after, so I think we'll have someone call my husband during the day to make sure he answers. At least we have a couple of friends that will do that, and we'll give them a key to the apartment so if he doesn't answer they can enter. I think after the 3 days they will pay for a short while to a rehab facility, but I'm not sure. OK, thanks for answer.

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@johnbishop

@cindiwass, Until others with hip replacement experience respond I thought I would share these two related articles that discuss what is covered under Medicare.

-- Does Medicare Cover Hip Replacement and Associated Costs?: https://www.helpadvisor.com/medicare/does-medicare-cover-hip-replacement-and-associated-costs
-- Does Medicare Cover Hip Replacements?: https://www.medicare.org/articles/does-medicare-cover-hip-replacements/

I would also make a list of your questions to take with you to your doctor's appointment so that you can make sure you get them answered.

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Hi there. I had the hip replacement surgery and want to say thank you to all who helped me through this emotionally from the discussions. It was not easy and I think I am recovering, this is the 11th day after the operation. This is the first day I can actually say I feel like I may be improving, like perhaps 10% better than the worst day after the operation. So it's not much but it's something, I guess, and naturally I hope I will continue improving. I'm getting therapy at home because my husband is handicapped, and although I might have done better in a rehab home I couldn't help it, I felt I needed to be home with him, although he can't help much but he does at least put my leg off and on the bed when I need that help. I am grateful for these boards and thanks to all. As far as questions, so far I'm not an easy customer -- I guess the doctor's office is used to annoying people like me who in my 70's is like a crybaby when it comes to pain. I can't say they are rushing to help, telling me things like, well, people are different, pain is expected, you gotta keep moving the leg, etc. Anyway, all i can say is that I hope I make progress to the point where I can say that I'm glad I got the surgery. Thanks again. (My knee is giving me more trouble now and I hope it will not impede my progress because it's swollen and I can't bend the leg because of the knee swelling. I'm seeing the doctor's assistant at the end of the month.)

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@nutmeg56

Ask your doctor about a rehab facility. They used to pay for this; not sure if they still do.
It is for people that live alone or don't have anyone to take care of them. It is short term. They get you started on your physical therapy.
Good luck!

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My aunt broke her sacrum on both sides and had bone cement injected for support. She also has Medicare and they approved her to go to rehab. I don’t know if she had any out of pocket though. I do know they won’t approve all facilities. She couldn’t go to the one she wanted which seemed to better because they denied it.
Definitely talk to your doctor.
I know she told them she wouldn’t have the help or care when she went home.

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@baileygirl

My aunt broke her sacrum on both sides and had bone cement injected for support. She also has Medicare and they approved her to go to rehab. I don’t know if she had any out of pocket though. I do know they won’t approve all facilities. She couldn’t go to the one she wanted which seemed to better because they denied it.
Definitely talk to your doctor.
I know she told them she wouldn’t have the help or care when she went home.

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I was in rehab for 2 weeks, then I received some therapy at home for a couple of weeks then so many weeks at rehab at the clinic. I do have a Medicare supplement, but between he two I didn’t pay for anything. They also paid for my wheelchair and walker.

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