One of the most common questions we hear from patients considering Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis is, “How Much Does Genicular Artery Embolization Cost?” It’s a great question—and honestly, the answer depends on your insurance. The total price of the procedure isn’t the same as what you will owe. Your deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum all play a part. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of what most patients can expect.
Commercial Insurance
If you have a commercial plan (Blue Cross, Medica, HealthPartners, UnitedHealthcare, etc.), your cost depends on:
- Your deductible
- Whether you’ve met that deductible
- Your coinsurance (often 20–30%)
- How close you are to your out-of-pocket maximum
What our patients typically pay:
Most commercially insured patients end up paying $1,500–$2,500 out-of-pocket for GAE at our clinic
Where you land in that range depends on your plan details and where you are in your benefit year.
Medicare (Traditional Medicare Only)
If you have Medicare Part B without a supplement, Medicare covers 80% and you’re responsible for 20%.
What our patients typically pay:
$1,500–$2,500
Medicare + Supplement (Medigap)
If you have Medicare plus a supplement (Plan G, Plan N, etc.):
- After you meet your small annual Part B deductible ($240 in 2025)
- Your supplement usually covers the rest
What our patients typically pay:
$0
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans vary, but most have fixed copays for outpatient procedures.
What our patients typically pay:
Around $75, depending on the plan.
Medicaid
Medicaid generally covers GAE in full.
What our patients typically pay:
State Medicaid: $0
Managed Medicaid: Usually a small copay (<$30)
What About Anthem, Cigna, Humana, or Aetna?
These four insurers—Anthem, Cigna, Humana, and Aetna—currently label GAE as investigational or experimental, which means they do not cover it under their standard policies.
However, this isn’t always the end of the conversation. We can often request a medical exception, especially when GAE is the safest or most appropriate option for you.
Examples of when a medical exception may apply:
- You’re not a candidate for knee replacement due to other medical conditions Your BMI is >40, increasing surgical risk
- You must stay on blood thinners, making surgery unsafe
- You’ve failed conservative treatments
- You have medical considerations that make surgery risky or unrealistic
Exceptions aren’t guaranteed, but we pursue them when medically appropriate.
Want to Know Your Exact Genicular Artery Embolization Cost? Schedule a Consultation!
Every plan is different, and the only way to know your true out-of-pocket responsibility is to review your benefits in detail.
At your consultation, our team can:
- Verify your insurance
- Review your deductible and coinsurance
- Look up your out-of-pocket maximum
- Run your plan’s coverage rules
- Provide a personalized cost estimate using the exact CPT codes for GAE
If you’re considering GAE, call us to schedule a consultation.
We’ll help you understand your benefits and your expected genicular artery embolization cost before you move forward.
Important Disclaimer
Insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary widely from one plan to another. The information on this page reflects general patterns we see in our clinic and is provided for educational purposes only. It is not a guarantee of coverage, approval, or final cost.
We will verify your benefits and make every effort to help you understand your insurance coverage; however, your insurance company makes the final determination of payment, and benefits may change at any time. Because you are the policyholder, you are responsible for confirming your own coverage and financial obligations directly with your insurance plan.
Every patient’s medical situation is unique, and treatment plans may vary. If additional services, supplies, imaging, medications, or follow-up care are needed beyond the original estimate, these may result in additional charges. We will always discuss any recommended services with you in advance whenever possible.
Any ranges listed on this page are estimates only, based on typical experiences of our patients. Your actual genicular artery embolization cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific insurance benefits, deductibles, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums, medical policy rules, and timing within your plan year.
Reading this page does not create a patient-provider relationship. Coverage decisions, prior authorizations, medical exceptions, and appeals are determined by your insurance carrier. Final financial responsibility for services rendered always rests with the patient.
