Does Medicaid Cover Bunion Surgery?
If you are looking for an answer to this question, you should not miss out on reading this post, as it contains the answer.
If you know about this surgery, you don’t need any further explanation, but if not, there is no need to worry, as we will explain it to you. Let’s discuss what bunion surgery is and what is the purpose of this surgery.
A bunion is an enlargement of the bone or tissue around a joint in the body. It is typically at the base of the big toe or the little toe.
Does Medicaid Cover Bunion Surgery
What is Bunion Surgery done for?
Bunion Surgery is done to ease the pain and correct the deformity caused by a bunion. However, you should consult a specialist before going for this surgery and move further only if the specialist gives you a green signal.
Usually, a doctor will recommend bunion surgery only if they feel that the pain due to the bunion stops you from wearing shoes and doing your daily activities.
Bunion surgery will reduce or eliminate the pain; you can only walk around but cannot run. In some cases, people can walk only after wearing surgical shoes.
If the doctor feels that your bunions will hurt you only when you wear pointy-toed or high-heeled shoes, they will not recommend this surgery.
For your information, bunions occur more in women than men. Also, people who wear tight shoes are prone to bunions, so you should avoid wearing tight shoes.
Does Medicaid Cover Bunion Surgery?
If you are covered under Medicaid and suffering from a bunion, you want to know whether Medicaid covers bunion surgery. So, the good news is that Medicaid covers bunion surgery.
For those who don’t know what Medicaid is, there is no need to worry. Medicaid is a government program that pays for medical treatment for poor people who cannot afford health insurance.
However, you need to know that each US state has rules and regulations about what procedures are covered. Before making up your mind about this surgery, you should look for those rules and regulations.
Even you can be asked for treatment just before the bunion surgery, and you may have to pay for the same from your pocket. So, it is advised to talk with your plan manager to discuss coverage specifics and go ahead only if you are okay with the specifics.
Medical Requirements for Bunion Surgery under Medicaid
Like any other surgical procedure, you are eligible for bunion surgery under Medicaid only if it is medically necessary; otherwise, you have to look for another option.
A doctor will determine the medical necessity and give you the nod if they feel bunion surgery is the only solution to your problem. Remember that only a prescription from a Medicaid-certified doctor is valid.
Medicaid-certified doctors must adhere to the program’s guidelines; if they do not follow them, they could face penalties.
Does Medicaid Cover Aftercare?
People planning bunion surgery are worried about how they will manage care after bunion surgery. One question that arises in their minds is, does Medicaid cover aftercare? So, there is no need to worry as Medicaid covers aftercare.
Usually, bunion surgery will not take much time as you will be treated as an outpatient, so you are not required to stay overnight. However, the recovery time is lengthy and depends upon your health and the complications you may face.
During the recovery time, you may feel pain and swelling in your joints. Even there is limited mobility. So prepare yourself to deal with these situations.
Medicaid covers aftercare, so you don’t have to worry about follow-up visits, and even if there are any medications prescribed, that too will be covered under Medicaid. However, you have to arrange for someone to take you to the clinic for a follow-up.
Arrange for someone in advance so you don’t have difficulty with follow-up visits.
Conclusion:
Bunion surgery can be your go-to solution if you suffer from a bunion, feel so much pain, and have a deformity in your toes. In this post, you will find information about bunion surgery and what makes you eligible for this surgical procedure.
If you are covered under Medicaid, you will get to know whether bunion surgery is covered under Medicaid or not.
The eligibility requirements for Medicaid may vary from state to state, so you must look at your state’s eligibility requirements before moving ahead.
See Also
Does Medicare Cover Bunion Surgery?
What Diabetic Supplies Covered by Medicaid?
Does Medicaid Cover Liposuction?
I am a medical student who dedicated herself helping individuals and non profit organizations for finding medical grants for medical bills, medical treatment, medical education, research and medical equipment.
Having sharpened her skills as a validation manager in the fast-paced world of Cybersecurity over a decade, Andrea now applies her expertise to raise the standards of the fact-checking space. As a meticulous fact-checker, she diligently validates the claims presented in our articles, leaving no room for misinformation or ambiguity.
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