Cover for Joint Replacement Surgery

Group of senior friends doing tai chi exercise outdoors in park.

Published - 1 Sep 2023 | Updated - 31 Oct 2025

Health insurance can make the world of difference to some people. Paying a regular health insurance premium in return for a prompt referral to a specialist, and then treatment can be worthwhile.

With people living longer, health insurance can enable you to avoid long waiting times, helping you get back to normal after illness or injury quicker.

Joint replacements, particularly hip replacements and knee replacements are common ailments.

Over time, our joints can experience natural wear and tear through use, or they may become damaged by arthritis or other medical conditions.

Damage to a joint can cause pain if left untreated. As a result, this can have a negative impact on your quality of life. Replacing a damaged joint of any kind with a prosthetic, or having one repaired can make a dramatic improvement, but it can be costly.

Having health insurance which covers joint replacements or reconstruction means that if you need treatment you won't have to worry about finding the money to pay for it.

Does health insurance cover hip replacement surgery?

Knowing what your health insurance covers you for is really important. Your insurance provider should make it clear so you know what treatment options are available both now and in the future.

Persistent pain in hip joints, from everyday activities such as walking, driving and even getting dressed, is a common, yet debilitating condition.

You may require a hip replacement, if you sustain a serious enough injury to your hip. Or if you suffer from osteoarthritis, a condition which causes painful wear and tear on your joints.

Having the right health insurance can give you peace of mind, knowing you can benefit from fast access to private healthcare – from diagnosis through to surgery.

Does health insurance cover knee replacement surgery?

Over 100,000 knee replacement procedures took place in the UK in 2023, for a range of conditions.

You may need a full knee replacement if pain and a loss of mobility is affecting your quality of life. This procedure if performed privately without health insurance can be expensive, with an average cost of around £15,000.

While that may seem steep for this type of surgery, it can be covered by health insurance. So, it's important to make sure you have the right cover. Eligibility can depend on the underwriting method your policy uses and whether your condition is considered new or pre-existing.

With Saga Health Insurance, you can benefit from prompt access to a specialist after referral from your GP. If you require treatment, you have the option to choose where this takes place from a wide choice of private hospitals across the UK.

Treatment in a private hospital also allows you to recuperate in peace and privacy in your own private room. Some Saga HealthPlans also offer physiotherapy, to help your recovery.

Saga Health Insurance provides you with clear guidance and the means to make a claim. In most cases this can be paid direct to your hospital or surgeon, leaving you to recover without worry.

For more information about our cover, simply call our friendly, UK-based advisers on 0330 094 6361.

Who underwrites Saga Health Insurance?

Saga Health Insurance is a unique product designed by us specifically for our customers and it is only available through us. Together with our underwriter, Bupa Insurance Limited, we are committed to providing high levels of quality, service and choice. That's why we offer a range of policies that can be tailored to suit your needs and budget.