The elbow is the joint on the body that is less prone to pain caused by wear and tear. When pain does occur, it’s likely due to overuse, arthritis, or a serious injury. Several sports, jobs, or hobbies that involve repetitive wrist or arm movements can lead to elbow pain.
Since three bones come together at the elbow joint, elbow pain may involve arm muscles, elbow ligaments, tendons, bones, and bursae. To ease pain and discomfort, medical grade elbow braces can provide stability and help you recover from injury.
When it comes to elbow braces, Medicare offers coverage for certain types of orthopedic devices. Elbow braces can help reduce pain and protect the elbow from further injury. It’s important to understand what Medicare covers to ensure you receive the right elbow brace for your needs.
Causes of Elbow Pain
Elbow pain can be due to the following:
- One-time injuries from accidents or sports
- Sprains
- Gout
- Arthritis
- Trapped or pinched nerves
Does Medicare Cover Elbow Braces?
Medicare allows you to receive durable elbow braces with a valid prescription from an enrolled Medicare doctor verifying it “medically necessary.” By taking advantage of your benefits, you may be able to obtain rigid or semi-rigid arm supports that are 80% covered by Medicare Part B.
To get the most coverage for an elbow brace, you must use a Medicare-enrolled “participating” medical supplier.
Medicare has a wide range of options when it comes to coverages and benefits. Medicare recognizes the value of offering preventive care and will often approve medically necessary medical devices and equipment such as orthopedic braces.
Does Medicare Advantage Cover Elbow Braces?
Although private companies provide Medicare Advantage plans, they must meet the same coverage and qualification requirements as Original Medicare Parts A and B. So your minimum health care benefits should remain unchanged when signing up for such a plan.
It all depends on the supplemental coverage offered as to whether these plans extend more coverage than Medicare.
If you join the Advantage plan, it would be best to contact your provider first as they have their network of medical suppliers and doctors. Going outside of this network will likely result in a loss of or limited coverage, so its best to stay within their designated network.
Medicare Qualifying Guidelines for Elbow Braces
To get your elbow brace covered under Medicare Part B, you must have a doctor’s appointment with a physician registered in the Medicare program. The ordering physician will need to certify that the elbow brace is medically necessary for you to use.
Elbow braces are typically needed for one of the following reasons.
- To stabilize the elbow because of a weakness or deformity.
- To restrict movement of the elbow joint because of an injury or disease.
- To facilitate healing following a surgical procedure.
If you meet one of the specified criteria, your doctor will provide a signed prescription which you can take to any medical supplier participating in Medicares network to obtain your desired brace.
Medicare-approved Elbow Braces
You have two choices when it comes to elbow braces, both of which are covered by Medicare Part B: custom fitted and off-the-shelf.
The difference between the two types of braces —
Custom Fitted Braces
Custom-fitted braces require fitting by a certified orthotist, as they may require several modifications during the fitting process.
Off-The-Shelf Braces
Off-the-shelf braces should only require minimal adjustments, which the beneficiary can easily do themselves. They shouldn’t require the help of a certified orthotist to get the right fit.
Our Medicare-approved Elbow Braces
Our Medicare-approved elbow braces help with the following:
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Stress fractures
- Chronic gouty arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursitis
- Dislocations
- Distal bicep tendon repair
- Elbow ligament instabilities
- UCL repair or reconstruction
- Hyperextension
- Total elbow arthroplasty and more
TRU-RANGE® Elbow Brace
The ARYSE TRU-RANGE ELBOW BRACE features multiple range-of-motion (ROM) positions to provide support for injury recovery.
Scope of Application
- Bicep/tricep tendon ruptures
- Chronic gouty arthritis with or without tophus
- Dislocations
- Distal bicep tendon repair
- Elbow ligament instabilities
- Fracture management
- Hyperextension
- Lateral collateral ligament repair
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Medial epicondylitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-surgery recovery
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Total elbow arthroplasty
- Tricep tendon repair
- UCL repair or reconstruction
- Ulnar nerve transposition
Features
- Universal
- Range-of-motion (ROM) hinges with multiple settings
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Comfortable
Product Materials
- Aluminum
- Polypropylene thermoplastic polymer
- Nylon
- Polyurethane
Directions for Use
- Unfasten and loosen straps.
- Align the hinge with the center of the affected elbow joint.
- With your free hand, pull the straps around the injured arm and fasten the straps starting closest to the elbow and working your way out, tightening to the desired comfort level.
- To adjust the range of motion, press the flexion and extension button(s) and rotate until the desired degree is achieved.
TRU-RANGE+® Elbow Brace
Features
- Multiple range-of-motion positions to provide support for bicep/tricep tendon ruptures
- Chronic gouty arthritis with or without tophus
- Dislocations
- Distal bicep tendon repair
- Elbow ligament instabilities
- Fracture management
- Hyperextension
- Lateral collateral ligament repair
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Medial epicondylitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-surgery recovery
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Total elbow arthroplasty
- Tricep tendon repair
- UCL repair or reconstruction
- Ulnar nerve transposition, and more
When to Use TRU-RANGE Elbow Brace?
- Bicep/tricep tendon ruptures.
- Distal bicep tendon repair.
- Elbow ligament instabilities.
- Fracture management.
- Lateral epicondylitis.
- Post-surgery recovery.
How To Use the ARYSE® TRU-RANGE® Elbow Brace?
- Unfasten and loosen straps.
- Align the hinge with the center of the affected elbow joint.
- With your free hand, pull the straps around the injured arm and fasten the straps starting closest to the elbow and working your way out, tightening to the desired comfort level.
- To adjust the range of motion, press the flexion and extension button(s) and rotate until the desired degree is achieved.
When to Contact a Doctor About Elbow Pain
Our elbow braces are universal in size and feature multiple range-of-motion positions to offer comfort and support. If you’re not sure what product is right for you or if you’re eligible for insurance coverage, Artik Medical Supply will provide the guidance you need. We can even communicate with your doctor to determine the best elbow brace for you.
Contact us today to check your Medicare coverage for free or call us at (888) 433-9796.
In Conclusion
If you think you may be eligible for an elbow brace through Medicare, it’s important to speak to your doctor first and get an official prescription. Knowing what elbow braces are covered by Medicare can help ensure you get the best one for your condition and receive the coverage you need.
Contact us today if you have more questions about Medicare-approved elbow braces. We can provide information on what braces are covered and answer any other questions you may have regarding coverage. With the right Brace, you can get relief from elbow pain and protect yourself from further injury.
