FAQ
Is this surgery?
No. None of our treatments involve surgery. Our goal is to provide you with maximum pain-relief using minimally-invasive procedures.
What is the recovery time?
There is no downtime required. Injections are minimally invasive and feel similar to a blood draw. You can resume work and regular activities the same day that you receive treatment.
How long are the appointments?
About 30 minutes. Most patients can be in and out during a lunch break. The actual injection takes less than a minute. The first consultation appointment is about an hour long.
What happens at the consultation?
You and the provider will thoroughly review your medical history. X-rays may be taken and the best treatment plan for your condition will be determined.
Is this covered by my insurance?
Some of our treatments are covered by insurance. More specific information is listed below. We accept Medicare and many commercial insurances. We do not accept Medicaid or Total Health plans at this time. Every insurance package is different. The only way for us to know your particular coverage is to verify your plan when you provide us with your card(s). Please bring your insurance card to your appointment so we can confirm coverage.
- Hyaluronic acid — Covered by insurance
- Platelet-Rich Plasma — Out of pocket procedure
- Stem Cell Injections — Out of pocket procedure
Hyaluronic acid
- Is this the same as the chicken fat shots?
- Hyaluronic acid is a natural gel that our own bodies produce. It can be found throughout our bodies in our skin, hair, nails, and joint spaces. As we age, we produce less hyaluronic acid ourselves. Nature created the perfect replacement for us in the hyaluronic acid found in the rooster’s comb.
- How many injections will I receive?
- That depends upon the treatment protocol that you choose with our provider. Most of our patients receive 5 injections per knee. For your convenience, we have reviewed and chosen the following options based upon their performance and patient outcomes:
- GenVisc 850 – 3 to 5 injections
- Supartz – 3 to 5 injections
- Orthovisc – 3 to 4 injections
- Synvisc – 3 injections
- Synvisc One – 1 injection
- That depends upon the treatment protocol that you choose with our provider. Most of our patients receive 5 injections per knee. For your convenience, we have reviewed and chosen the following options based upon their performance and patient outcomes:
- Are there any adverse reactions?
- There may be slight swelling, bleeding or bruising at the site
- The side effects are similar to a placebo
- How long does the pain-relief from hyaluronic acid injections last?
- Generally, relief lasts from 6 months up to 2 years following treatment, depending upon the severity of your condition.
- Is this procedure covered by insurance?
- Yes. Medicare and most commercial insurances do cover this treatment, and repeat treatments every 6 months.
- I have had surgery, will this still work?
- Yes. If you’ve had your knee(s) only partially replaced, this can still work. If you’ve had a full knee replacement, this will not work for you.
- I have a torn meniscus. Will this work for me?
- Yes. If you have osteoarthritis of the knee, this can work for you. If our X-rays determine that there is no osteoarthritis, one of our other regenerative treatments would be a better fit. We offer treatments specific to repairing meniscus tears as well. Each patient is different and the best options for you will be discussed during your consultation.
Platelet-rich plasma
- Are these injections cleared by the FDA?
- Yes. There are numerous PRP preparation systems on the market with FDA clearance.
- Is this procedure covered by insurance?
- No. At this time platelet-rich plasma therapy is an out-of-pocket expense.
Stem Cell Therapy
- Are these injections cleared by the FDA?
- Yes. The Stem Cells we administer to our patients are screened in compliance with FDA regulatory standards as well as certified through the American Blood Bank and American Tissue Bank.
- Where do you get your stem cells from?
- Our Stem Cells for therapy are from an exclusively accredited scientific company/tissue bank. All of the stem cells we use come from voluntarily donated umbilical cords from healthy, live-births. The stem cells are harvested from willing and un-compensated donors (parents of live birth and cesarean section). Prior to donation, patient health is rigorously screened and only those who pass screening are allowed to donate.
- The stem cells are then carefully processed by licensed professionals and a sample from every donor is kept on file by the harvesting company and the FDA. Stem cells are shipped and received cryogenically preserved (frozen) to ensure the integrity of the cells.
- Is this procedure covered by insurance?
- No. At this time, stem cell therapy is not covered by insurance.
- However, it may be more affordable than the high cost of surgery combined with the large deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums with many insurance plans.
- Does Nu Life Medical offer payment plans?
- Yes. We offer care credit.