How to Get a Prescription for a Cold Therapy Machine

Yes, a cold therapy machine is a prescribed item — you get one through your surgeon, not off a shelf. The simplest path: at your pre-op visit, ask your surgeon to prescribe cold compression for your recovery. That prescription is what lets a provider set a system up at your home, and it’s also the starting point for any insurance coverage. You don’t have to wait until after surgery to ask — earlier is better, so the system is there on day one.

Here’s exactly how to get it done.

Do you actually need a prescription?

Yes. A clinical-grade cold therapy machine is prescribed by your surgeon. That’s true whether coverage pays for it or you go the cash-pay rental route — the prescription is part of getting the right system for your procedure, safely.

How to get the prescription

1. Bring it up at your pre-op appointment. The easiest moment is when you’re already talking through your recovery plan. Ask directly: “Can you prescribe cold compression for my recovery?”
2. Be specific about your surgery. Your surgeon matches the wrap and system to the joint — knee, shoulder, hip, ankle — so mention the procedure.
3. Ask them to note the medical reason. If you’ll try for insurance coverage, the documented reason on file is what a plan looks for.

Many surgeons already work with WRS Group, so this is often a quick yes.

What the prescription lets you do

• Get a system set up at home before your surgery date, so it’s ready when you get home.
• Start an insurance conversation — coverage almost always requires the prescription plus documentation. (See Does insurance cover a cold therapy machine? →)
• Get the right wrap and settings for your specific joint and procedure.

Don’t have a surgeon conversation lined up yet?

You can still start. Set up a Game Ready rental and we’ll help you understand the path and coordinate with your surgeon so you have a system before you need it.

Why it’s worth the small effort

The prescription is a two-minute ask that sets up the part of recovery you’ll feel most in the first two weeks. Controlling swelling and pain early tends to mean fewer pills — in a survey of 2,060 WRS Group patients, 70% reported using fewer opioids during recovery.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a prescription for a cold therapy machine?
Yes. A clinical-grade cold therapy machine is a prescribed item, ordered by your surgeon — for both coverage and cash-pay rental paths.

Do you need a prescription for Game Ready?
Yes — like other clinical cold therapy systems, it’s prescribed by your surgeon.

How do I get the prescription?
Ask your surgeon at your pre-op visit to prescribe cold compression for your recovery, and to note the medical reason if you’ll try for coverage.

When should I ask?
Before surgery, so a system can be at your home on day one.

Can WRS Group help?
Yes — WRS Group provides Game Ready to surgical patients and coordinates with your surgeon. Start here →