Preparing for knee replacement surgery: Insurance coverage, healthy history and physical exam

Insurance coverage

Health care benefits are constantly changing and differ from plan to plan and provider to provider. It is important for you to understand your health care benefits before your surgery. Now is a good time to call your insurance provider and find out exactly what is and isn't covered under your plan.

Your health history and physical exam

Before your surgery, your primary care doctor should do a health history and physical exam. The exam will evaluate your current health status. Now is a good time to call your clinic to schedule your appointment.

Do not take aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin before surgery. If you take aspirin on a regular basis, talk with your doctor about when to stop taking it. If you currently take any medicines, make sure your doctor provides you with the following information:

directions for taking your medicines the morning of surgery
directions for stopping any prescription medicines before your surgery
directions for stopping any over-the-counter medicines before your surgery, including herbal medicines.

Please talk with your doctor about how to take your medicines before your surgery.

These medicines include aspirin products and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen (Advil® and Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®), piroxicam (Feldene®), nabumetone (Relafen®), oxaprozin (Daypro®). Some of these medicines may need to be stopped several days before your surgery.