Kidney stones can be incredibly painful and frustrating to endure. Roughly 11 percent of men and 6 percent of women will experience kidney stones at some point in their lives. Many kidney stones are small enough to where they can be passed, but sometimes they need more medical attention to remove them. In that case, Medicare can help.
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals, like calcium or uric acid, that form inside the kidneys. Kidney stones can vary in size from a grain of sand to an egg. They’re caused by an imbalance of fluids and electrolytes in the body, when there’s too much crystal-forming substances like calcium and uric acid and not enough water to dilute them.
Treatment for kidney stones depends on the size and type of stone. Smaller stones can be passed naturally with plenty of water to help keep them moving. For larger stones, medical intervention may be necessary. If a doctor believes you’ll need surgery or another procedure to remove a kidney stone, then Medicare likely will cover it.
Some of the procedures to remove larger kidney stones include:
ESWL (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy): A non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to break down stones
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A surgical operation to remove the stone through a small hole in the back
Ureteroscopy: Passing a small camera through the urethra, bladder and up to the stone so it can be destroyed
Laparoscopic kidney stone removal: A minimally invasive procedure that removes larger stones with a specialized instrument
Yes! Medicare Part B covers kidney stone removal if your doctor determines it is medically necessary for a treatment procedure. Your doctor may decide that surgery is the only way to remove your stones, or they may determine that the stones are too large to pass naturally and need to be broken down by lithotripsy or another procedure. In either case, the removal process will likely be covered by Medicare.
If you have smaller kidney stones, you might not have coverage since it might only involve hydration and over-the-counter pain medications. Some Medicare Advantage plans might offer a credit for those over-the-counter drugs.
Part B means that you would be responsible for 20% of the approved cost. You could receive more coverage with a Medicare Supplement plan that covers some or all of the 20%, or Medicare Advantage plan.
The cost of kidney stone removal varies depending on the procedure. Some procedures, like lithotripsy or ureteroscopy, are usually covered by Medicare Part B when deemed medically necessary. Other treatments like laparoscopic surgery might be covered if your doctor determines it is appropriate for your condition.
If you’re required to pay an out-of-pocket cost, it could be anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more depending on the procedure. The best way to know is to speak with your doctor and check your policy so you understand what is covered.
Before seeking treatment, talk with your doctor to see what is best for your situation. This content is for informational purposes only. If you're experiencing kidney stone problems, you can rest assured knowing that Medicare has you covered. And Fair Square Medicare has you covered when it comes to shopping for Medicare plans. Call us today to speak to an expert.
Do You Need Medigap if You're Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid?
Jan 7, 2023
Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?
Dec 1, 2022
How Does Medicare Pay for Emergency Room Visits?
Nov 21, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
Nov 9, 2022
Costco Pharmacy Partners with Fair Square
Jan 13, 2023
Is Botox Covered by Medicare?
Jan 19, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Ozempic?
Mar 28, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Flu Shots?
Dec 9, 2022
Moving? Here’s What Happens to Your Medicare Coverage
Jul 15, 2025
Estimating Prescription Drug Costs
May 25, 2020
Do I Need Medicare If My Spouse Has Insurance?
Dec 19, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Nexavar?
Nov 30, 2022
How Much Does Xeljanz Cost with Medicare?
Jan 25, 2023
Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?
Jun 16, 2022
Fair Square Bulletin: We're Revolutionizing Medicare
Apr 27, 2023
Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas
Mar 22, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Boniva?
Nov 29, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
Nov 28, 2022
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Columbus
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Indianapolis
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Jacksonville
14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Seattle
14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Washington, D.C.
14 Best Ways to Stay Active in Charlotte
15 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Denver
20 Questions to Ask Your Medicare Agent
2025 Medicare Price Changes
Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad?
Building the Future of Senior Healthcare
Can Doctors Choose Not to Accept Medicare?
Can I Have Two Primary Care Physicians?
Can I Laminate My Medicare Card?
Can I switch From Medicare Advantage to Medigap?
Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?
Can Medicare Advantage Plans Deny Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions?
Comparing All Medigap Plans | Chart Updated for 2025
Denied Coverage? What to Do When Your Carrier Says No
Does Medicare Cover a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
Does Medicare Cover Abortion Services?
Does Medicare Cover Cala Trio?
Does Medicare Cover Cervical Disc Replacement?
Does Medicare Cover Cold Laser Therapy (CLT)?
Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Eye Exams?
Does Medicare Cover Driving Evaluations?
Does Medicare Cover Fosamax?
Does Medicare Cover Hoarding Cleanup?
Does Medicare cover Hyoscyamine?
Does Medicare Cover Hypnotherapy?
Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?
Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?
Does Medicare Cover Mental Health?
Does Medicare Cover Mouth Guards for Sleep Apnea?
Does Medicare Cover Qutenza?
Does Medicare Cover RSV Vaccines?
Does Medicare Cover Scleral Lenses?
Does Medicare Cover Service Animals?
Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts?
Does Medicare Cover the Urolift Procedure?
Does Medicare Cover the WATCHMAN Procedure?
Does Medicare Cover Vitamins?
Does Medicare Have Limitations on Hospital Stays?
Does Medicare Pay for Allergy Shots?
Does Medicare Pay for Antivenom?
Does Medicare Pay for Bunion Surgery?
Explaining the Different Enrollment Periods for Medicare
How Do Medigap Premiums Vary?
How is Medicare Changing in 2025?
How to Apply for Medicare?
How to Deduct Medicare Expenses from Your Taxes
How to Enroll in Social Security
How Your Employer Insurance and Medicare Work Together
Is Balloon Sinuplasty Covered by Medicare?
Is Fair Square Medicare Legitimate?
Is Vitrectomy Surgery Covered by Medicare?
Medicare & Ozempic
Medicare Advantage Plans for Disabled People Under 65
Medicare Consulting Services
Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights by State
Medicare Supplement Plans for Low-Income Seniors
Seeing the Value in Fair Square
The Easiest Call You'll Ever Make
Welcome to Fair Square's First Newsletter
What Does Medicare Cover for Stroke Patients?
What Happens to Unused Medicare Set-Aside Funds?
What If I Don't Like My Plan?
What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?
What Is Medical Underwriting for Medigap?
What is the 8-Minute Rule on Medicare?
What People Don't Realize About Medicare
What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued
Get the Fair Square Bulletin
Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.
Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M