Quick Answer
Yes, Medicare covers hip injections and hip replacement surgery when they are medically necessary. Medicare Part B covers outpatient hip injections including cortisone shots and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hip replacement surgery. Stem cell injections are not FDA-approved and are not covered. There is no limit on the number of hip replacements Medicare will cover, but cortisone injections are typically limited to three per year.
Coverage Comparison by Plan Type
| Plan Type | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cortisone injections | Covered | Covered under Part B; typically up to 3 per year per joint |
| PRP injections | Covered | Covered under Part B when medically necessary |
| Stem cell injections | Not Covered | Not FDA-approved for orthopedic use; not covered by Medicare |
| Hip replacement surgery (inpatient) | Covered | Covered under Part A; $1,736 deductible per benefit period (2026) |
| Hip replacement surgery (outpatient) | Covered | Covered under Part B; 20% coinsurance after deductible |
| Viscosupplementation injections | Varies | Coverage varies; may be covered when medically necessary |
Understanding Your Coverage Options
Original Medicare (Part B - Hip Injections)
Covers cortisone shots and PRP injectionsMedicare Part B covers hip injections when they are medically necessary. Hip injections are often a middle-of-the-road treatment - after medications and physical therapy but before surgery. The two most common types of hip injections are cortisone injections and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections.
Cortisone injections are covered under Original Medicare and are typically limited to three per year per joint. Medicare Part B pays for the administration of cortisone injections when a healthcare provider administers the drug. Unlike prescription drugs covered under Part D, cortisone injections are administered by a medical professional and fall under Part B.
PRP injections use the patient's own blood platelets to stimulate healing in the affected joint. Medicare covers PRP injections when medically necessary. Viscosupplementation injections (hyaluronic acid) may also be covered in some cases. However, stem cell injections do not have FDA approval for orthopedic use and are not covered by Medicare.
What It Covers
- Cortisone injections (typically up to 3 per year per joint)
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections
- Viscosupplementation injections (when medically necessary)
- Doctor visits for hip pain evaluation and treatment
- Physical therapy for hip conditions
What It Doesn't Cover
- Stem cell injections (not FDA-approved for orthopedic use)
- Experimental or investigational treatments
- Injections from providers who do not accept Medicare
You pay 20% coinsurance after the $283 annual Part B deductible (2026) for covered hip injections.
Original Medicare (Part a - Hip Replacement)
Covers inpatient hip replacement surgeryMedicare Part A covers inpatient hip replacement surgery when it is medically necessary. Hip replacement surgery involves replacing the hip joint with an artificial joint made of ceramics, hard plastic, and metal. There is no limit on the number of hip replacements Medicare will cover - if your doctor determines another replacement is medically necessary, Medicare will cover it.
The average cost of a hip replacement is $32,000–$44,000, but Medicare covers the majority of this cost. Under Part A, you pay the $1,736 deductible per benefit period (2026), with $0 coinsurance for days 1–60. After a qualifying hospital stay, Medicare also covers skilled nursing facility care and inpatient rehabilitation.
Hip replacement surgery may also be performed as an outpatient procedure. When performed outpatient, the surgery is covered under Medicare Part B at 80%, and you pay 20% coinsurance after your Part B deductible.
What It Covers
- Inpatient hip replacement surgery (no limit on number of replacements)
- Hospital stay for hip replacement (semi-private room, meals, nursing care)
- Skilled nursing facility care following a qualifying hospital stay
- Inpatient rehabilitation following hip replacement
- Outpatient hip replacement (covered under Part B)
What It Doesn't Cover
- Private hospital room (unless medically necessary)
- Long-term custodial care after recovery
- Treatment at non-Medicare-approved facilities
Part A: $1,736 deductible per benefit period; $0 coinsurance for days 1–60 (2026). Outpatient: 20% coinsurance after $283 Part B deductible.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Covers Part A deductible and Part B coinsuranceMedicare Supplement (Medigap) plans can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs for hip injections and hip replacement surgery. Medigap Plan G covers the $1,736 Part A deductible for inpatient hip replacement surgery, leaving you with $0 out of pocket for the hospital stay. Plan G also covers the 20% Part B coinsurance for outpatient hip injections and outpatient hip replacement.
With Medigap Plan G, your only annual cost for covered hip services is the $283 Part B deductible. After that, Plan G covers all remaining cost-sharing for the rest of the year.
What It Covers
- Part A deductible ($1,736) for inpatient hip replacement surgery
- Part B coinsurance (20%) for hip injections and outpatient procedures
- Part A coinsurance for extended hospital stays (days 61–90)
What It Doesn't Cover
- Stem cell injections (not covered by Original Medicare)
- Services not covered by Original Medicare
With Medigap Plan G, inpatient hip replacement: $0 out of pocket. Outpatient hip injections: $283 annual deductible only.
Hip Injection and Hip Replacement Costs under Medicare (2026)
| Service | Medicare Part | Your Cost (No Supplement) | Your Cost (With Plan G) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortisone injection (up to 3/year) | Part B | 20% coinsurance + $283 deductible | $283 deductible only |
| PRP injection | Part B | 20% coinsurance + $283 deductible | $283 deductible only |
| Hip replacement (inpatient, days 1–60) | Part A | $1,736 deductible per benefit period | $0 (Plan G covers Part A deductible) |
| Hip replacement (outpatient) | Part B | 20% coinsurance + $283 deductible | $283 deductible only |
| Stem cell injection | Not covered | Full cost ($5,000–$10,000+) | Full cost (not covered) |
✦ Important Rules for Hip Treatment Coverage
No Limit on Hip Replacements
Medicare does not limit the number of hip replacements you can receive. If your doctor determines that another hip replacement is medically necessary - whether it's a revision of a previous replacement or a replacement of the other hip - Medicare will cover it. Each hip replacement is subject to the Part A deductible per benefit period.
There is no lifetime limit on hip replacements under Medicare. Each replacement requires a new benefit period and the associated Part A deductible.
Outpatient vs. Inpatient Hip Replacement
Hip replacement surgery can be performed as either an inpatient or outpatient procedure. Inpatient surgery is covered under Part A with the $1,736 deductible. Outpatient surgery is covered under Part B with 20% coinsurance. Your surgeon will determine whether inpatient or outpatient is appropriate based on your health status and the complexity of the procedure.
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
David Haass
AuthorDavid Haass is the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Elite Insurance Partners and MedicareFAQ.com. He is a member and regular contributor to Forbes Finance Council.
Ashlee Zareczny
ReviewerAshlee Zareczny is a licensed Medicare agent in all 50 states dedicated to educating those eligible for Medicare. She trains agents on CMS compliance guidelines.