Does Medicaid Pay For Walk In Tubs

There may be rare situations in which original medicare does provide financial assistance.

Does medicaid pay for walk in tubs.

Medicaid is fundamentally different from medicare. Walk in bathtubs are generally not covered by medicare because they are not considered durable medical equipment. Unfortunately there is no one size fits all answer to the question does medicare pay for walk in showers generally speaking walk in bathtubs or showers are not considered durable medical equipment by original medicare which means that the plan will not pay to have your tub removed and a walk in installed. Although medicare expanded supplemental benefits in 2018 medicaid is still the more likely of the two programs to cover the costs of purchasing and installing a walk in bathtub.

Medicaid unlike medicare medicaid is much more likely to pay for installation of a walk in tub. But again check with your state s medicaid program. Unlike hospital beds wheelchairs catheters blood glucose monitors or nebulizers a walk in bathtub can be used by anyone. The guidelines for medicaid are different in every state but generally medicaid will pay for dme durable medical equipment that is medically necessary.

Unfortunately paying for walk in tubs or their installation by original medicare is not a possibility as they are not considered to be durable medical equipment. Specially designed adjustable bed which is of hospital style. Medicaid s policy on walk in tubs. Does medicare pay walk in tubs.

This does not necessarily cover grab bars and walk in tubs. There is no guarantee medicare will assist with or pay for the purchase of a walk in tub. For example california has a medicaid program that helps nursing home residents make the transition back to their home this might include modifications such as installing a walk in tub. A plethora of different medical items belong to the group which is considered as durable equipment.

While medicare doesn t typically cover walk in bathtubs if you get both medicare and medicaid benefits you might qualify for a dual eligible special needs plan. Medicaid is not a single federal program. Although in rare instances a walk in tub may be part of a written prescription for a medical diagnosis most likely there would be only reimbursement in these cases. Even with medicare advantage plans offering supplemental healthcare and new supplemental non healthcare benefits in 2020 medicaid is more likely to provide financial assistance for the purchase and installation of a walk in tub.

Walk in tubs are not considered dmes and are not covered under medicare. Costs of walk in bathtubs may vary widely from one company to another. Financial assistance however is by no means guaranteed. When this occurs the support comes as reimbursement rather than in advance of the purchase.