Are Stairlifts Covered By Medicare

Medicare s part b includes coverage for durable medical equipment dme such as wheelchairs and walkers but stair lifts are usually not included in these benefits.

Are stairlifts covered by medicare.

If medicaid does not cover the price of your stairlift there are several options available that you should look in to to help cover the cost. According to accessible home cleveland a stair lift isn t considered to be durable medical equipment by medicare. Stair lifts can cost thousands of dollars and many seniors wonder if medicare will help cover the cost. They consider it a home modification which isn t covered by their guidelines.

Your costs in original medicare if your supplier accepts assignment you pay 20 of the medicare approved amount and the part b deductible applies. Original medicare although various types of medical equipment are covered under medicare part b medicare considers a stairlift to be a medical device used for self help personal comfort or convenience. Since original medicare does not help neither would a supplemental or medigap policy. As a result medicare does not cover it.

So lifts that move a person up and down stairs wouldn t be covered. Medicare supplemental insurance policies also do not cover stair lifts. Patient lifts medicare part b medical insurance covers patient lifts as durable medical equipment dme that your doctor prescribes for use in your home. While medicare does not pay for the acorn stair lifts stairlifts are often covered for persons with veteran s benefits through the va.

In some cases individuals eligible for medicaid may get assistance paying for a stair lift through home and community based services. Stair lifts are considered a home modification which isn t covered under medicare guidelines. However equipment and services primarily used for self help convenience or personal comfort don t fit into medicare s definition of medically necessary durable medical equipment. A custom curved rail stair lift will likely start at 9 500 with installation.

In addition there are several private foundations that may help to pay to have acorn stairway lifts installed in homes of persons needing the help a stairlift could give. These policies are intended to help with co payments and deductibles for goods and services covered by original medicare. The cost of a straight rail stair lift is typically around 2 200 to 5 000 with installation based upon the make and model. With a little research and persistence you ll be able to find the proper financing you need to get your independence back.

Unfortunately standard health insurance policies and medicare will not typically cover the purchase or installation of a stair lift even with a doctor s order. Although many people tend to disagree with this classification this is medicare s current standing on the issue. They see it as more of a tool for convenience instead of a medically necessary piece of equipment.