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Yes - typically coveredPrior auth: Usually required

Does UnitedHealthcare cover acl reconstruction?

ACL reconstruction is a covered benefit under UHC commercial and Medicare Advantage plans. Surgery center authorization is handled separately from hospital authorization - confirm which facility your surgeon uses before submitting prior auth. Post-surgical physical therapy is covered (usually 30-60 visits per year).

Quick summary

Coverage

Yes - typically covered

Prior authorization

Usually required

Typical patient cost

With commercial insurance: $800-$3,500 depending on deductible and outpatient vs. inpatient setting. Most ACL reconstructions are outpatient procedures. Without insurance, surgery center fees alone often run $8,000-$15,000, with anesthesia additional.

Prior authorization for UHC

eviCore handles imaging prior auth. Surgical auth may route directly through UHC. Your surgeon's office typically manages this; ask them to confirm the route.

Always verify your specific UHC plan before scheduling. Plans within the same insurer (UnitedHealthcare) can have different prior authorization rules, network requirements, and cost-sharing. Call the number on the back of your insurance card or log into your plan portal to confirm coverage for your specific plan.

How to confirm your coverage before scheduling

  1. 1Call UHC member services (number on back of your insurance card) and ask specifically if acl reconstruction is covered under your plan.
  2. 2Ask your orthopedic surgeon's office to verify benefits on your behalf - they do this routinely and can identify in-network requirements.
  3. 3Request the prior authorization criteria in writing if prior auth is required. Ask what documentation is needed from your surgeon.
  4. 4Confirm your deductible remaining for the year - your out-of-pocket cost depends on where you are in the deductible cycle.
  5. 5Get a pre-service cost estimate from the facility if you want a specific dollar figure before scheduling.

What to do if UHC denies coverage

Insurance denials for orthopedic procedures are common and frequently overturned on appeal. Follow these steps:

  1. 1Request the written denial with specific clinical criteria not met
  2. 2Provide MRI report confirming the tear and functional instability documentation
  3. 3Ask your surgeon for a peer-to-peer review with the medical director
  4. 4File internal appeal citing medical necessity guidelines
  5. 5Request external review if internal appeal is denied

Common questions

Does insurance cover ACL surgery if I am not a competitive athlete?
Yes. Insurance covers ACL reconstruction based on functional instability and medical necessity, not athletic status. Activities of daily living - stairs, uneven terrain, getting in and out of a car - count as qualifying functional limitations if the knee gives way on them.
Is physical therapy after ACL surgery covered by insurance?
Yes. Post-ACL reconstruction rehabilitation typically takes 6-9 months. Most plans cover 30-60 PT visits per year. If your rehab requires more visits, your surgeon can document medical necessity for additional sessions. Some plans require a new authorization after the initial session count is reached.
Will insurance cover ACL surgery on both knees?
Yes, though each knee is authorized separately. Insurance covers bilateral ACL tears - whether simultaneous or staged surgeries - when both meet medical necessity criteria. Staging the surgeries (one at a time) is the norm unless both are acutely injured together.

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