The Cost of PRP and How Medicare Applies
One of the first questions people ask about PRP therapy is what it costs and whether Medicare helps. The answer has a few moving parts, including the consultation, referrals and the treatment itself. This article explains what to understand about the cost of PRP therapy and exactly where Medicare does and does not apply.
Does Medicare cover PRP?
PRP does not currently attract a Medicare rebate. That means the PRP therapy itself is not subsidised in the way some other medical procedures are, and you should plan for it as an out-of-pocket treatment. It is worth knowing this up front so the cost is not a surprise when you are deciding whether to proceed. This is the same not just at Ringwood Sports Medicine but all clinics offering this service around Melbourne.
How a referral affects what you claim
While a referral is not essential for PRP, a GP or specialist referral may allow you to claim a higher Medicare rebate for your consultation. In other words, the rebate question applies to the consultation rather than to the PRP procedure itself.
Because an assessment is required before any treatment, this is a practical point to sort out early. If you can obtain a referral before your appointment, you may reduce the cost of the consultation portion of your care. Our guide on what to expect from PRP treatment explains where the consultation sits in the overall process. A GP referrals is preferred to see our Sports Physicians but is not required if you are seeing one of our Specialist GP’s.
What goes into the cost of PRP
A few elements make up the total. There is the consultation with one of our Specialist Doctors or Sports and Exercise Physicians, which is required to determine whether PRP is appropriate for you. There is the procedure itself, which typically takes 20 to 40 minutes and uses an internationally recognised PRP preparation system. There may also be a recommended rehabilitation program, since PRP forms part of a comprehensive treatment approach rather than a standalone treatment.
It is also worth remembering that some patients require more than one PRP treatment to achieve the desired outcome, which is sensible to factor in when you are planning. However our high grade systems usually minimises the requirements for repeat injections.
Weighing the value
Cost is only one side of the decision. For some people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis, PRP may form part of a strategy that helps avoid or delay surgery in selected patients, which is worth weighing against the cost of treatment. Our article on PRP for osteoarthritis looks at that in more detail.
The right way to understand your likely costs is to discuss them at your assessment, where they can be set against your specific condition and treatment goals. As with any procedure, there are potential risks and complications to consider as well, although serious adverse events are uncommon.
Please note that post injection physiotherapy is claimable via private health with physio extra’s or if you are under an EPC plan. Talk to your GP to see if you quality for an EPC plan which can cover physiotherapy treatment.
Book an assessment
To discuss the cost of PRP therapy and whether it suits your condition, contact Ringwood Sports Medicine for an assessment, or book an appointment online.
