Does Medicare Cover Coolief Knee Treatment?

Coolief treatment is a relatively new treatment for osteoarthritis. It is a less invasive treatment, and it is an excellent alternative to surgery and opioids.

As more people consider this treatment, many seniors have the question “Does Medicare cover Coolief knee treatment?” In this article, we answer this question in clear, plain English. You will also find the average costs of Coolief knee treatment, as well as other helpful info.

Does Medicare Cover Coolief Knee Treatment?

The short answer is yes; Medicare may cover the cost of Coolief knee treatment. But not 100% of the time. As is often the case with Medicare, certain conditions have to be met in order for Medicare to pay for your Coolief knee treatment. Below we look at what these are so you know what to expect.

Even though Medicare may cover Coolief knee treatment, we recommend that you confirm this first with your healthcare provider as well as your insurance provider.

In the treatment’s clinical study, it is shown that it is long-lasting and it provides more significant pain relief compared to steroids. But because it’s a newer treatment you’ll want to discuss your options first with your doctor.

Both to find out if Medicare will cover the procedure and also so you’re aware of risks of the treatment.

How Much Does Coolief Knee Therapy Cost?

Coolief knee treatment cost typically is somewhere between $2,000 to $4,000 according to NBC News.

What Is Coolief Treatment?

Coolief treatment, or cooled radiofrequency ablation, is a minimally invasive treatment that transmits pain signals placed near the knees’ nerves. Your doctor will insert electrodes through the skin that deliver heat to the nerve.

The procedure hinders the nerves’ ability to send pain signals to the brain. Aside from heating up the electrodes, Coolief treatment also cools them down.

Even though the procedure is minimally invasive, it requires multiple injections and x-ray guidance to know where precisely the electrodes should be injected.

Coolief’s clinical studies show that the treatment can provide pain relief for long-lasting periods, up to 1 year. Patients have also reported feeling pain relief 1-2 weeks after the procedure; More than that, these studies show that it improves the lives of people suffering from osteoarthritis.

Coolief treatment does not require an overnight hospital stay. As soon as the procedure is over, patients can immediately return home. Unlike surgery, this type of treatment does not require an incision.

Even though most Coolief treatment studies have shown that it rarely shows side effects, the manufacturer still warns of potential risks that may include infection and nerve damage. But the potential risks may be based on reports of the procedure being performed on other parts or areas of the body.

It is also important to know that Coolief treatment is the first and only radiofrequency treatment for osteoarthritis that the FDA clears. But despite that, it is important to discuss it with your doctor before undergoing Coolief treatment.

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.