Does Medicare Cover Electric Stair Lifts

You need assistance from two or more people to transfer you from your bed to a chair wheelchair or commode.

Does medicare cover electric stair lifts.

The cost of a straight rail stair lift is typically around 2 200 to 5 000 with installation based upon the make and model. If these would help you take a look at the list of approved suppliers by visiting the medicare gov website. So lifts that move a person up and down stairs wouldn t be covered. Your health condition would be improved by moving periodically.

The patient can t stand on their own from a regular chair. Many types of mobility assistance devices may be covered by original medicare such as canes walkers and wheelchairs. Your health care provider can write a prescription for a full body hydraulic lift and your medicare benefits may help cover the cost of it if you meet the following criteria. Medicare pays for different kinds of dme in different ways.

Medicare benefits do not cover electric lifts. 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. In some cases individuals eligible for medicaid may get assistance paying for a stair lift through home and community based services. Medicare part b medical insurance covers patient lifts as durable medical equipment dme that your doctor prescribes for use in your home.

How to determine if the lift chair is medically necessary. But medicare advantage plans may cover the cost. While patient lifts are listed on medicare s website as part of dme coverage stair lifts unfortunately do not fall into this category. The short uncomplicated answer is for all practical purposes original medicare does not pay for stair lifts.

Medicare part b may cover a patient lift for you to use in your home if medically necessary and prescribed by your doctor. 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. Stair lifts can cost thousands of dollars and many seniors wonder if medicare will help cover the cost. To be eligible your doctor must determine that the device is medically necessary because.

Unfortunately medicare does not cover the cost of stair lifts. Your costs in original medicare if your supplier accepts assignment you pay 20 of the medicare approved amount and the part b deductible applies. If you have a temporary need for a stair lift you may be able to rent the equipment. They see it as more of a tool for convenience instead of a medically necessary piece of equipment.

Once the lift chair gets approval medicare covers 80 of the lifting mechanism.