Does Medicare Cover Walk In Showers
Finally if converting a tub to a walk in shower is not feasible consider getting a bath chair that is wide enough to be placed both in the tub and on the bathroom floor.
Does medicare cover walk in showers. And get a hand held shower head while you are making these changes. Medicare insurance sometimes reimbursement for the purchase and installation of walk in tubs. Items primarily used for self help convenience or personal comfort are not by medicare s definition medically necessary equipment. So what is durable medical equipment.
However original medicare part a and part b generally doesn t consider a walk in bathtub to be durable medical equipment. To be covered under medicare the equipment must be an absolute medical necessity. Medicare does occasionally reimburse a portion of your purchase price so it makes sense to seek a partial reimbursement. As of today medicare won t cover a walk in tub even if it s a necessary bathroom safety device.
Check your policy for details. But the your state funded medicaid program may cover it contact your local medicaid office for more information. You can sit on it and your daughter can help you swing your legs over the edge of the tub to then be seated in the tub for your shower. This means there is no guarantee that original medicare would offer financial assistance until after you paid out of pocket and submitted a claim.
Medicare walk in bathtubs walk in showers april 3 2019 medicare has specific rules about what types of equipment and supplies they will cover and a good rule of thumb is whether it is considered durable medical equipment. Some long term care insurance policies cover some home modification. Walk in bathtubs are generally not covered by medicare because they are not considered durable medical equipment. Medicare may cover certain durable medical equipment dme.
Hence medicare may cover the cost of a walk in tub only when it has been recommended by a doctor. In rare situations original medicare may make an exception and cover the cost of a walk in tub. Unlike hospital beds wheelchairs catheters blood glucose monitors or nebulizers a walk in bathtub can be used by anyone. However in rare cases financial help may be available to those that have an absolute need.
There is no guarantee medicare will assist with or pay for the purchase of a walk in tub. While there are no guarantees that you will be successful your only loss if they deny your request is the cost of photocopying. Medicare hardly considers walk in tub shower as durable and effective medical equipment for senior who need special care when looking for a comfortable and safe bath. However you d receive a reimbursement instead of an upfront payment.
Walk in tubs are not considered dmes and are not covered under medicare. It provides even. The beneficiary would also need a medical diagnosis to prove he or she needs the walk in tub. For the most part paying for a walk in tub is something beneficiaries must do themselves.