How to get free knee surgery?
Asked by: Makayla Marquardt | Last update: July 31, 2025Score: 5/5 (61 votes)
What if I can't afford knee surgery?
Government or Charitable Assistance
Financial assistance programs, sometimes called "charity care," provide free or discounted health care to people who need help paying their medical bills. The Affordable Care Act requires hospitals with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status to have programs to provide this care.
What weight do you have to be for knee surgery?
There is a range of accepted weight ranges, but the current standard is that anyone obese (greater than 100 pounds over ideal weight or a BMI of roughly 40-45) should not consider joint replacement.
How to get a referral for knee surgery?
- your GP can book it while you're at the surgery.
- you can book it online using the appointment request letter your GP gives you.
- you can phone the NHS e-Referral Service line on 0345 608 8888 (open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, and on weekends and bank holidays from 8am to 4pm)
Do I qualify for knee surgery?
To consider surgery, the patient should feel that arthritis pain causes some or all of the following issues. Their knee pain: Measurably impacts everyday activities, causing them patient to stay in the house more or avoid activity altogether. Makes them unable to go up and down stairs.
5 Tips to Speed Recovery from Knee Replacement Surgery
Can you go to an orthopedic without a referral?
Or, there is an option to meet with an orthopedic doctor immediately. For example, if you are experiencing knee pain or a foot injury, it makes sense to go to a specialist instead of a general doctor. Most patients have the option to visit an orthopedic doctor without a referral.
What is the minimum cost of knee replacement?
Ans: The average cost for a knee replacement surgery ranges from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh, depending on various factors like type of surgery, city, hospital, post-operative care, etc.
How long is the waiting list for knee replacement?
The maximum waiting time for a knee and hip replacement is 18 weeks.
What happens if you need a knee replacement and don t get one?
The longer you delay surgery, the more stress your knee's supporting structures, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones, endure. This extended pressure on these structures can lead to long-term complications. A deteriorated knee joint can affect not only your knee but also other parts of your body.
What is too heavy for knee surgery?
Is There a Safe Maximum Weight for Knee Replacement? There are risks associated with a knee replacement at 300 pounds or at any weight that is generally considered higher than a healthy weight. However, being overweight or obese is not automatically a disqualification for knee replacement.
Is knee surgery a disability?
Yes, it is possible to receive SSD and SSI benefits due to a disability resulting from knee replacement surgery. To qualify, your knee-related disability must meet strict criteria.
What weight is unsafe for surgery?
Mortality rates were significantly lower in the 25 < BMI < 30 group and significantly higher in the BMI > 35 group than in those with normal BMI. Morbid obesity (BMI > 40) was associated with an increased perioperative mortality rate and more surgical complications.
How to pay for surgery with no money?
In cases like this, we recommend contacting your insurance, surgeon, or hospital and asking if they can help you with a payment plan. Remember that your surgery provider wants to get paid so they may be very willing to work with you on a payment plan.
Can injections really fix bad knees?
Knee gel injections work well for most knee pain, especially if you have mild to moderate arthritis. The effects generally last 6 to 12 months.
Why would insurance deny knee surgery?
A knee pain treatment insurance denial can occur for many different reasons. The claim may have been incorrectly coded or may not have sufficient information about the treatment. You may have used an out-of-network provider, or the prescribed treatment may be specifically excluded from your healthcare plan.
What happens if you wait too long for a knee replacement?
The longer you wait, the more damage occurs in the knee joint. Without a functioning cartilage cushion, your bones may rub against each other, causing them to wear down or deform. This can lead to more complicated issues in surgery, as your surgeon might have to correct more damage than initially expected.
How do you get approved for a knee replacement?
- you have severe pain, swelling and stiffness in your knee joint and your mobility is reduced.
- your knee pain is so severe that it interferes with your quality of life and sleep.
- everyday tasks, such as shopping or getting out of the bath, are difficult or impossible.
Where is the best place to have a knee replacement?
What are the top surgery centers in the U.S. for knee replacement surgeries? The top surgical center on our list performing knee replacement surgeries is the Advanced Center for Joint Surgery LLC in Cumming, Georgia. The knee arthroplasties performed there accounted for 1.3% of all knee replacement surgeries in 2023.
What is the best age to have a knee replacement?
In the United States, currently, the average age to undergo knee arthroplasty is around 65 years old. Mostly knee replacement surgery is performed in elders with severe arthritis, while those under the age of 50 are considered young and are asked to wait until the age of 65.
How painful is a total knee replacement?
While any surgical procedure is associated with post-operative discomfort most patients who have had the total knee replacements say that the pain is very manageable with the pain medications and the large majority look back on the experience and find that the pain relief given by knee replacement is well worth the ...
Can you get orthopedic surgery without insurance?
These fees can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, with or without insurance. While the cost of orthopedic surgery can vary by the location and type of surgery, here are some of the most common procedures and their average costs to consider. These costs are without health insurance.
How to get a referral without a doctor?
If you don't have a primary doctor or your doctor won't provide a referral, there are alternative ways to obtain one: Urgent Care Centers: Urgent care centers are an option for obtaining referrals for non-emergency conditions. They can evaluate your health issue and provide referrals to specialists if needed.
Can you see an orthopedic surgeon without needing surgery?
Meeting with one of our orthopaedic specialists doesn't necessarily mean that you will need surgery. We prefer to try more conservative methods first whenever possible, such as physical therapy, cortisone injections, or prescription medication. However, your injury could fail to respond to any one of these.