Stair Lift Medicare Reimbursement

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 lift medicare reimbursement. 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. 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. They see it as more of a tool for convenience instead of a medically necessary piece of equipment. Medicare part b medical insurance covers patient lifts as durable medical equipment dme that your doctor prescribes for use in your home.
However medicare is not the only option. Medicare pays for different kinds of dme in different ways. 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. Paying for a stair lift stair lifts can cost thousands of dollars and many seniors wonder if medicare will help cover the cost.
You will be reimbursed for the cost covered by medicare. Typically you ll pay somewhere around 350 for the lifting mechanism of the lift chair after medicare pays their portion. 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.
Stair lifts are considered a home modification which isn t covered under medicare guidelines. Medicare will only reimburse for the lifting mechanism of the lift chair the motor and levers. Reimbursement is capped at different amounts for different stated. The reimbursement is only for 80 of the lifting mechanism.
However if you have a medigap plan the above cost sharing may be covered 100. This price varies on which state you live in but the reimbursement is typically between 280 and 300. The remaining 20 of the lifting mechanism and the chair itself will not be reimbursed. There are medical standards for your lift chair to be covered by medicare part b.
These standards include but are not limited to.