Are Stairlifts Covered By Medicare

These policies are intended to help with co payments and deductibles for goods and services covered by original medicare.

Are stairlifts covered by medicare.

Patient lifts medicare part b medical insurance covers patient lifts as durable medical equipment dme that your doctor prescribes for use in your home. As a result medicare does not cover it. 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. 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.

Medicare supplemental insurance policies also do not cover stair lifts. So lifts that move a person up and down stairs wouldn t be covered. With a little research and persistence you ll be able to find the proper financing you need to get your independence back. 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.

This type of medical equipment is not considered medically necessary. Stair lifts are considered a home modification which isn t covered under medicare guidelines. While patient lifts are listed on medicare s website as part of dme coverage stair lifts unfortunately do not fall into this category. The cost of a straight rail stair lift is typically around 2 200 to 5 000 with installation based upon the make and model.

Stair lifts can cost thousands of dollars and many seniors wonder if medicare will help cover the cost. 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. They see it as more of a tool for convenience instead of a medically necessary piece of equipment. Since original medicare does not help neither would a supplemental or medigap policy.

Although many people tend to disagree with this classification this is medicare s current standing on the issue. They consider it a home modification which isn t covered by their guidelines. 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. According to accessible home cleveland a stair lift isn t considered to be durable medical equipment by medicare.

Various types of durable medical equipment are covered under medicare part b. In some cases individuals eligible for medicaid may get assistance paying for a stair lift through home and community based services. While medicare does not pay for the acorn stair lifts stairlifts are often covered for persons with veteran s benefits through the va.