Are knee replacements covered under Medicare?

Medicare covers most knee replacement surgeries within the United States, according to Indiana University Health. Depending on the type of surgery, Medicare may require a co-payment for certain types of insurance plans.

Some Medicare plans may require pre-authorization or a second opinion before medical procedures take place, because the majority of patients receiving knee replacement surgery are over the age of 65, states Health Affairs. Medicare spends an average of $16,500 to $33,000 on every patient that needs a knee replacement surgery, as of 2016. This number varies depending on the hospital, the duration of the visit and the quality of the surgery.