Knee Osteoarthritis × bcbs
Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Coverage with bcbs
Compare bcbs coverage for 9 treatments commonly used for knee osteoarthritis. Find out what's covered, requirements, and estimated costs.
6 Covered
3 Not Covered
Treatment Options & Coverage
Cortisone Injections
Typically Covered $100-$300 per injection (with insurance copay typically $20-$50)
Bracing and Orthotics
Typically Covered $50-$200 (OTC); $400-$1,500 (custom/unloader)
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Typically Covered $300-$1,500 per injection series (without insurance)
Joint Supplements
Not Covered $15-$60 per month
Oral Medications
Typically Covered $5-$50 per month (OTC); $30-$200 (prescription)
PRP Injections
Not Covered $500-$2,500 per injection
Physical Therapy
Typically Covered
Prior Auth Required
$75-$150 per session (before insurance)
Requirements: Physician referral (varies by plan) • In-network provider preferred +2 more
Topical Treatments
Typically Covered $10-$30 (OTC); $50-$300 (prescription)
Stem Cell Therapy
Not Covered $3,000-$25,000
Coverage Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of bcbs coverage for knee osteoarthritis treatments.
| Treatment | Covered? | Prior Auth | Est. Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortisone Injections | No | $100-$300 per injection (with insurance copay typically $20-$50) | strong | |
| Bracing and Orthotics | No | $50-$200 (OTC); $400-$1,500 (custom/unloader) | moderate | |
| Hyaluronic Acid Injections | No | $300-$1,500 per injection series (without insurance) | moderate | |
| Joint Supplements | No | $15-$60 per month | limited | |
| Oral Medications | No | $5-$50 per month (OTC); $30-$200 (prescription) | strong | |
| PRP Injections | No | $500-$2,500 per injection | emerging | |
| Physical Therapy | Required | $75-$150 per session (before insurance) | strong | |
| Topical Treatments | No | $10-$30 (OTC); $50-$300 (prescription) | moderate | |
| Stem Cell Therapy | No | $3,000-$25,000 | insufficient |
Recommended Approach
Based on bcbs coverage for knee osteoarthritis, we recommend:
- 1 Start with covered conservative options (physical therapy, oral medications)
- 2 If insufficient relief, progress to injection therapies
- 3 Document treatment history for any prior authorization requirements
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