Does Health Insurance cover Knee Replacement Surgery?
Written ByMousree DasSenior Content Writer
Mousree Das
Senior Content Writer
With over 3 years of experience in the UAE’s fintech market, Mousree specialises in crafting content for insurance sectors. Her portfolio extends to Travel, and Health Insurance. She incorporates industry knowledge into her writing, delivering insightful and engaging content. With a flair for storytelling, she creates unique and data driven content that boosts brand visibility and engagement.
Reviewed ByToshita ChauhanBusiness Head - General Insurance
Toshita Chauhan
Business Head - General Insurance
Driving growth, partnerships, and digital distribution across the UAE’s insurance landscape. Focused on scaling B2C channels, building high-impact teams, and unlocking value through data-led strategy and product innovation. Passionate about transforming legacy insurance with tech, speed, and customer obsession.
Arthritis and other joint-related issues are probably two of the most common and annoying health issues people face these days. The pain in joints often reaches a level where it is impossible to be treated simply with medicine. Such a situation may require you to undergo a complete knee replacement surgery. But undergoing a major surgery like this can become a huge toll on not only your mental state but also your wallet. It is genuine to wonder, “does health insurance cover knee replacement surgeries” in situations like this. The good thing is that, yes, most health insurance plans indeed offer coverage for knee replacement surgeries. But, as you may have suspected, this coverage may come with a bunch of underlying conditions and terms. Let’s examine the different types of knee replacement surgeries, what can lead to it, and how does health insurance covers knee surgery.
What is Knee Replacement Surgery?
Technically referred to as arthroplasty, knee replacement surgeries can be a result of several factors, osteoarthritis is one of the major ones. Most of these factors often go unnoticed due to their menial nature that’s how they cause trouble later. Apart from osteoarthritis, conditions like ligament tear and rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to knee troubles and surgery as well. Depending on the damages that your knees have incurred and the kind of replacement they need, knee surgeries can be divided into four types –
Complete Knee Replacement – When both joint faces at the end of the thigh bone and shin bone are replaced. Some surgeries may also involve the replacement of the patella, the surface under the kneecap.
Unicompartmental or Partial Knee Replacement – This surgery involves changing only the part of your knee that has been affected, generally by arthritis. It is generally the inner part of the knee that gets affected here and is changed in the surgery.
Kneecap Replacement – Only the under-part of the kneecap and the trochlea is replaced in this surgery.
Complex Knee Replacement or Revision Surgery – People with severe arthritis may need more complex surgeries which require several revisions. This surgery includes placing a longer stem in the knee to help keep the replacements in place or additional pieces to replace damaged bones.
Does Health Insurance Cover Knee Replacement?
The simple answer to this question is, yes, knee replacement surgeries, are covered by most health insurance plans despite not being an emergency surgical procedure. However, the inclusivity of this particular benefit completely depends on the providers and the plans that they are offering. You may also find that knee replacement surgery is covered in one plan offered by a certain provider but not in another one.
How to Buy Health Insurance for Knee Replacement Cover via Policybazaar.ae?
Policybazaar.ae is your one-stop platform to buy the best medical insurance for knee replacement. Here are the quick steps to choose the right insurance:
Click the button below for the form
Provide correct details and submit the form
Compare the listed plans and read their policy wording
Select one and complete the payment process
We will get in touch with you and send your policy documents to the registered email ID.
Is there a Waiting Period Applicable?
Since knee replacement surgeries are not emergency surgeries, they come with a waiting period in most health insurance plans. Most treatments that do not require immediate attention get a waiting period. The waiting period for knee replacement surgeries can range anywhere between 6 months to 2 years depending on the plan and providers.
When Do You Need a Knee Replacement Surgery?
Extreme damage to the bone, ligament, and joint may lead you to excruciating pain and dysfunctional joints and that makes knee replacement a necessity. Since the kneecap and other parts of the joint get replaced by artificial fixings, it is best to opt for the surgery as the last resort. Doctors generally recommend surgery only to people who go through extreme pain and discomfort even when performing general day-to-day actions like sitting, standing up, or walking. Your age, body fat levels, physical activity, bone health, skin health and many other factors are considered before suggesting knee replacement surgery. So, it is best to consult a doctor and get a fair idea in advance.
When Should You Opt for a Knee Replacement Insurance Cover?
Knee-related issues develop gradually over a period of time. However, you must buy comprehensive health insurance at the earliest. This is because if you have any knee-related medical issues, your insurance can prove useful. It can cover the costs related to consultation visits and diagnostic tests. Moreover, as discussed above, knee replacement cover may come with a waiting period of 6 months. This means if you buy the policy early, you’ll complete this waiting period in advance. Thus, you can get the coverage when you actually need it.
Does health insurance cover knee replacement surgery in the UAE?
Yes, most comprehensive health insurance plans cover knee replacement surgery if it is medically necessary and prescribed by a licensed doctor. However, the coverage varies by insurer, plan type, and policy terms.
Is there a waiting period for knee replacement surgery coverage?
Yes, knee replacement is usually considered a planned procedure. Thus, it generally comes with a minimum waiting period of 6 months. However, depending on the chosen plan and coverage, the waiting period may exceed 6 months.
Are all expenses related to knee replacement surgery covered?
Not always. While hospitalisation and surgery are often covered, post-surgery physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or advanced procedures may have limits or co-pays, or require additional approvals depending on the plan.
Can senior citizens get coverage for knee replacement surgery in the UAE?
Yes, senior citizens can get coverage, but plans often come with higher premiums (due to age-related risk) and possible coverage limits or co-pay requirements depending on the insurer and policy terms.
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