Stair Lift Medicare Reimbursement

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 lift medicare reimbursement.

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. Medicare pays for different kinds of dme in different ways. Medicare approved lift chair dealers. Your costs in original medicare if your supplier accepts assignment you pay 20 of the medicare approved amount and the part b deductible applies.

You will be reimbursed for the cost covered by medicare. Original medicare might pay for a small portion of the cost if the stair lift has an elevating seat which helps the rider to sit down and get up from the chair safely. Medicare part b medical insurance covers patient lifts as durable medical equipment dme that your doctor prescribes for use in your home. The cost of a straight rail stair lift is typically around 2 200 to 5 000 with installation based upon the make and model.

While medicare typically won t pay for a lift chair in full medicare part b medical insurance or medicare part c medicare advantage may cover the seat lift mechanism as durable medical equipment dme if your doctor determines that it s medically necessary and will help your condition. These standards include but are not limited to. However such a feature would only be available in a high end stair chair which would cost considerably more than the amount original medicare would reimburse the purchaser. This price varies on which state you live in but the reimbursement is typically between 280 and 300.

There are medical standards for your lift chair to be covered by medicare part b. The remaining 20 of the lifting mechanism and the chair itself will not be reimbursed. The reimbursement is only for 80 of the lifting mechanism. There s also a deductible that falls under part b.

However if you have a medigap plan the above cost sharing may be covered 100. Stair lifts are considered a home modification which isn t covered under medicare guidelines. However medicare is not the only option. Reimbursement is capped at different amounts for different stated.

Paying for a stair lift stair lifts can cost thousands of dollars and many seniors wonder if medicare will help cover the cost.