Does Medicare Cover Laser Therapy?

Cold laser therapy is a type of therapy that uses low levels of light to stimulate healing of a body part. The name cold laser therapy is because the level of the light is so low that it is not enough to heat the body’s tissue. This is a painless and non-invasive procedure and it is commonly used to repair tissues and provide pain relief.

Because of the popularity of this treatment, many people want to know, “does Medicare cover laser therapy?” In this article, we answer that question in clear, plain English. We’ll also cover what laser therapy costs and provide some other helpful information about it.

Does Medicare Cover Laser Therapy?

The short answer is no. In most cases, Medicare will not cover the cost of cold laser therapy. That said, there may be some situations where you can get these costs covered. Below we’ll take a closer look at this to see when you might be able to get Medicare to pay for your cold laser therapy.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) does not provide coverage for cold laser therapy. So that means you will have to pay 100 percent for your cold laser therapy. This is because according to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, studies show that it is not a reasonable and necessary treatment method.

Original Medicare does not provide coverage for cold laser therapy or the use of infrared technology to treat diabetic and non-diabetic peripheral sensory neuropathy, wounds and ulcers, and similar related conditions, along with the symptoms of the mentioned conditions.

Aside from Medicare, Medicaid also does not provide coverage for this type of treatment. However, some other major health insurance companies may provide coverage for this type of treatment.

Part C Coverage for Laser Therapy

Just like with Original Medicare, most Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) also do not provide coverage for cold laser therapy. Medicare Advantage plans have to cover all the treatments and services Original Medicare covers. However, they will also offer extra benefits as well. Laser therapy, unfortunately, is not one of them.

How Much Does Cold Laser Therapy Cost?

Cold laser therapy costs an average of $55 per session. Sessions of cold laser therapy usually take 6-7 sessions to get the best results.

What Conditions Can Be Treated Using Cold Laser Therapy?

The main use of laser therapy is for tissue repair and pain relief and inflammation. It is said to be useful for many minor injuries and sprains such as muscle strains, lower back pain, and knee pain. It is also used to heal wounds, such as wounds related to diabetes. Aside from medical benefits, it also has cosmetic benefits, such as skin rejuvenation.

Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may vary from plan to plan for Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Always be sure to double check with your health care provider and/or Medicare insurance provider about what your plan covers and what it does not.