Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are not covered by Medicare. Despite the growing evidence of the benefits of PRP therapy, Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) does not provide coverage for PRP injections. This means that you will have to pay 100% of the costs of your PRP injections. However, Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) may provide coverage for PRP injections if certain criteria are met.
The lack of coverage for PRP injections is due to the lack of scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness. Without funding from big pharmaceutical companies, comprehensive clinical trials for PRP injections will never be conducted. The type of medical professional who administers the injections can also affect the costs. You should check with your plan to see if they can offer coverage for PRP injections that Original Medicare doesn't cover.
In some cases, Medicare covers PRP for patients who have chronic diabetic wounds that don't heal when specific criteria are met. However, this is not a common occurrence and it is important to note that Medicare does not generally cover PRP injections. PRP injections, when used appropriately, can be a great alternative to more common medical procedures. They should be administered by professionals who are adequately trained to treat the problem being treated and should use appropriate local anesthetics (numbness) and guidance.
