By Zane Josie
Is knee replacement health insurance necessary?
Well, human bones and joints experience wear and tear more intensely than other body parts, leading to gradual changes and weakness as we grow old. Knees are arguably the most important pair of joints in our body and are affected a lot throughout our lifetime.
Chronic knee pain, immobility and significant injuries can cause a lot of trouble in old age and lead to the need for knee surgery and, consequently, health insurance. Knee replacement surgery is also one of the most effective ways to restore functionality.
Understanding Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery consists of replacing damaged and worn-out bones and cartilage with artificial ones made of prosthetics that function well and work towards reducing or even alleviating pain.
As we age, knees and other joints deteriorate faster than other parts of the body. However, people with an active lifestyle experience less damage to their knee health than people with a sedentary lifestyle.
With a lack of movement and exercise, your knee functions and health can deteriorate at a faster rate. Moreover, obesity, ligament tears, cartilage defects, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and serious injuries can also lead to knee replacement surgeries.
Most of this can be prevented through an active lifestyle. However, accidents and injuries can still happen so buying cashless health insurance from reliable providers like TATA AIG is a good contingency plan to account for any unpredictable medical issues.
Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries
Before we get into the discussion about buying health insurance for knee replacement surgery, let us understand the different types of surgeries that your medical policy can cover.
● Total Knee Replacement
Total replacement is the most common type of knee surgery performed on patients with chronic pain. In total knee replacement surgery, all three parts of the knee—the thighbone, shinbone and kneecap—are replaced.
● Partial Knee Replacement
The partial replacement procedure involves only the affected or concerned part of the knee. It is less invasive and suitable for patients with confined damages to specific parts.
● Bilateral Knee Replacement
The surgery is performed on both the patient’s knees. It involves replacing both knees in the same surgery and is suitable for patients who suffer from severe arthritis in both knees. This might consist of total or partial knee replacement surgery on the two knees.
In India, the success rate of knee replacement surgery is close to 100%. This takes us to the next question, i.e., is knee replacement covered under health insurance?
Certainly! A good policy from a great provider, like TATA AIG, offers sufficient knee replacement surgery insurance coverage. But how much coverage is sufficient for a knee surgery, and what should be covered? Let us see!
Cost of Knee Replacement Surgery In India
In India, the cost of your knee replacement surgery will vary. However, general estimates amount to ₹2,00,000 – ₹5,00,000. Here are the different factors affecting the cost of your knee surgery.
- The type of knee replacement surgery. Total knee replacement surgery is more expensive than partial knee surgery.
- Type of replaced implants.
- Patient’s health conditions and pre-existing illnesses.
- Choice of hospital: public or private.
- Duration of hospitalisation.
Knee Replacement Surgery Insurance Coverage and Inclusions
Reliable health insurance policy providers offer substantial coverage that provides complete protection against incurred expenses. The policy will offer overall and comprehensive coverage with affordable premium allotment. Here are some common inclusions in knee replacement health insurance.
- Pre-hospitalisation expenses
- Room fares
- Nursing fees
- Hospitalisation fare
- Post-hospitalisation
- Cash support for accommodation (mostly shared)
- Ambulance expenses
- Follow-up charges
- Consultation fees
- Cashless health insurance policy coverage
Benefits of Knee Replacement Health Insurance
- Health insurance policy promotes preventative care. You can detect and address any knee issues beforehand to avoid the surgery altogether.
- You can enjoy the perks of cashless treatment, where you do not have to care about collecting cash to get hospitalised.
- The medical policy will offer sufficient financial coverage.
- This health insurance policy also offers coverage for other medical issues along with knee replacement.
- Peace of mind.
Ending Note
Knee replacement surgery is a life-changing experience. People who know what chronic pain feels like will always cherish and protect this painless experience. Therefore, we can say that health insurance for knee replacement is an essential asset to ensuring a pain-free.
