Does Medicare cover chair lifts for stairs?

“Does Medicare cover chair lifts for stairs?” is a common question that creates more questions than answers. Fortunately, this guide will bring you solutions to clarify whether Medicare will pay for chair lifts.

Since Medicare is a federal health insurance program, your options to get stairlift coverage may be complicated, but it’s not impossible.

If your Medicare provider doesn’t cover chair lifts for stairs, try comparing health insurance companies in your area using our free online quote tool to see if you can find coverage.

For more information on Medicare stairlift coverage, continue reading.

Does Medicare cover chair lifts for stairs?

The short answer is no. A standard Medicare plan won’t cover the cost of stairlifts. However, Medicare Advantage (MA) could cover the cost. Coverage heavily depends on the state and condition of the insured. 

Some Medicare programs see stairlifts as an addition to the home rather than a need for the insured. There are many gray areas to chair lifts for stairs. It’s uncommon to get a stairlift from Medicare.

Does Medicaid cover chair lifts for stairs?

Like Medicare coverage, Medicaid stair lift coverage depends on the state, and their requirements for medical equipment coverage. However, you’re more than likely to get help through Medicaid.

HCBS waivers – or Medicaid waivers – cover home modifications.

States with Medicaid stairlifts coverage use Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers to provide Medicaid recipients with nursing level care. 

Unlike Medicare, Medicaid works with state-based home modification programs. This gives Medicaid recipient health care on the same level as a nursing home.

Read more: How Life Insurance Impacts Medicaid Eligibility

Does the Veterans Administration cover chair lifts for stairs?

Veterans Administration (or VA) recipients only need approval before a chair lift for stairs is installed. If you need a stairlift for reasons unrelated to military service, the VA Aid and Attendance benefit will provide assistance.

Also, the VA has a program known as Veterans Directed Home and Community-Based Services (VD-HCBS). It’s similar to the Medicaid program, but it’s more comprehensive.

Other Financial Options and Chair Lifts for Stairs Cost

What do you do when you don’t qualify for Medicaid or VA assistance? We did some research and found four options you can use to get chair lifts for stairs.

Get A Loan

New stairlifts are about $2,000 ($7,500 for higher-end stairlifts). The installation cost is between $500 and $1,500. If you get a personal loan or another type of loan, you could cover a stairlift cost.

Most installation costs are included with the stairlift, so you may pay less than what’s expected.

DIY

Installations can be just as expensive as the stairlift itself. If you’re skilled with putting things together, purchase a used stairlift, and install it yourself. You can save up to 50 percent off on a stairlift if you can install it yourself. You can even report it on your taxes.

Finance Through A Manufacturer

Some stairlift manufacturers have more cost-efficient options such as financing. Instead of paying a lump sum payment, you can make monthly payments to the stairlift manufacturer instead of getting a loan.

Here’s a list of stairlift manufacturers:

• Acorn
• AmeriGlide
• Bruno
• Handicare
• Harmar
• MediTek
• Sterling
• Stannah
• Thyssen-Krupp

Check out each manufacturer and compare their services. You can find a great deal on stairlifts if you compare their prices, too.

Rent A Chair Lift for Stairs

If you don’t care to own a stairlift, you can always rent one. However, the cost to rent a stairlift is between $200 and $500 per month. Shop around for stairlifts to see if you can get a lower price.

Factors that Affect Chair Lift for Stair Price

Let’s examine a few factors that affect stairlift cost.

• The shape of the stairway
• Features of the chair
• The stairway length
• Outdoor vs. Indoor
• Rider’s Weight
• A folding rail

Consider the size and shape of your stairway. It may help to record measurements before you call the stairlift manufacturer.

Alternatives to Stairlifts

If the chair lifts for stairs are still too expensive, think about alternatives. A strong handrail could be just as reliable with installation costs under $200. An inclined platform is also a reliable alternative. It depends on the needs of the person who needs it.

Case Studies: Medicare Coverage for Chair Lifts

Case Study 1: John’s Experience

John is a Medicare insurance recipient who recently experienced mobility issues due to his age. He found it increasingly challenging to climb stairs in his home and considered installing a chair lift for assistance.

However, John discovered that Medicare does not cover the cost of chair lifts for stairs. To explore other options, John decided to compare different Medicare providers to find better coverage.

Case Study 2: Lisa’s Dilemma

Lisa, another Medicare recipient, faced a similar situation to John. She sought coverage for a chair lift to make her home more accessible. However, Lisa learned that Medicare does not typically provide coverage for chair lifts for stairs. As an alternative, Lisa decided to compare quotes from various health insurance companies in her area to find potential coverage options.

Case Study 3: Robert’s Medicaid Solution

Unlike John and Lisa, Robert was covered under Medicaid, a state-governed program that offers assistance for medical expenses. Robert discovered that Medicaid, through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, provides coverage for home modifications, including chair lifts for stairs.

Thanks to Medicaid’s coverage, Robert was able to receive the necessary assistance to install a chair lift in his home.

Case Study 4: Sarah’s Veterans Administration (VA) Benefit

Sarah, a recipient of Veterans Administration (VA) benefits, required a chair lift for stairs. Although the VA primarily covers medical expenses related to military service, Sarah discovered that the VA Aid and Attendance benefit could provide assistance for a chair lift if it was necessary for reasons unrelated to her military service.

Additionally, Sarah learned about the Veterans Directed Home and Community-Based Services (VD-HCBS) program, which offered comprehensive support similar to Medicaid.

Medicare Stairlift Coverage: The Bottom Line

An original Medicare plan won’t cover stairlift costs. However, you could receive help from a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicaid, and the VA. If you’re not eligible for either program, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for a stairlift, or you’ll need to get a loan to pay for a stairlift.

And it may be just as difficult to get the best insurance companies to get on board with installing a new stairlift.

Use our free online quote tool by entering your ZIP code below and compare health insurance companies that could help you with chair lifts for stairs.