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Specialized shower chairs are designed with non-slip rubber feet and durable frames to provide stable, secured seating in bathtubs or showers.
These chairs are growing in popularity among seniors and people with disabilities.
However, under Original Medicare Part B, shower chairs are not exactly classified as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and are therefore not covered by the program.
Why aren’t shower chairs covered as DME?
For equipment to qualify as DME under Medicare Part B, it must meet some criteria:
- Durable: Withstands repeated use for over three years
- Serve a medical purpose: Used to treat an injury, illness, or condition
- Used at home: For in-home medically necessary use
- Not useful to people without health issues: Mainly benefits sick, injured, or disabled people.
Shower chairs don’t fit the description because they’re viewed as convenience items rather than medically necessary equipment. So, if your doctor writes a letter of medical need for a shower chair, Medicare is still unlikely to cover it.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover shower chairs?
Private Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same benefits as Original Medicare, but many offer additional coverage for vision, dental, hearing aids, prescription drugs, and more.
Some plans may even cover items like shower chairs through flexible spending accounts or allowances.
Before enrolling in an Advantage plan, call to ask about shower chair coverage specifics. You may need to submit Medicare shower chair documentation from your doctor.
Coverage levels, out-of-pocket costs, and stipulations can vary greatly between different Medicare Advantage providers’ shower chair policies.
How to get help with shower chair costs?
Basic shower chairs or stools start around $15, while more complex chairs run over $300. If you need financial assistance, here are a few options to explore:
- Medicaid
In some states, Medicaid helps pay for shower chairs not covered by Medicare, especially more advanced chairs assisting with toileting/personal hygiene. Medicaid eligibility and covered equipment differ by state. Reach out to your local Medicaid office.
- VA Benefits
For qualifying veterans and service members, the Department of Veterans Affairs may provide certain disability compensations or grants to cover the cost of shower chairs and bathroom grab bars if deemed medically necessary.
- Patient advocacy organizations
Groups like the ALS Association may provide equipment grants for people facing serious mobility-limiting conditions.
The bottom line
Under Medicare Part B, shower chairs don’t meet the strict specifications to be covered as durable medical equipment in most cases. Very few exceptions exist.
However, alternate sources like Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid, the VA, or patient advocacy groups may provide full or partial shower chair funding assistance if eligibility requirements are met.
As you seek the shower chair that best suits your needs, be sure to exhaust all potential coverage options.
