As mobility becomes more difficult with age, many Medicare beneficiaries ask whether Medicare can help cover stair chair lifts and other home accessibility devices. Here is a straightforward look at what Medicare will and will not cover, along with alternative options.
Where Medicare Stands on Stair Lifts
Original Medicare does not pay for stair chair lifts. Medicare categorizes stair lifts as home modifications rather than durable medical equipment (DME), and home modifications are typically not included in Medicare coverage.
Medicare Part B does cover DME that satisfies certain requirements:
- It must be ordered by a physician for home use
- It must be primarily medical in purpose
- It must be built to last (capable of withstanding repeated use)
- It must fulfill a medical need within the home
Even though stair lifts are durable and intended for home use, Medicare regards them as convenience devices or home improvements rather than medically required DME.
Mobility Equipment That Medicare Does Cover
While stair lifts are not covered, Medicare Part B does pay for a variety of mobility-related durable medical equipment, such as:
- Manual wheelchairs when ordered by a physician
- Power wheelchairs and scooters when medical criteria are satisfied
- Walkers and rollators
- Canes and crutches
- Hospital beds intended for home use
- Patient lifts (like Hoyer lifts) for transferring individuals
For Medicare to cover any of this equipment, your physician must provide documentation proving medical necessity.
Stair Lifts Through Medicare Advantage
Certain Medicare Advantage plans include supplemental benefits that extend beyond Original Medicare's scope. A limited number of MA plans may offer:
- Home modification allowances (which could potentially cover stair lifts)
- Bathroom safety devices
- Accessibility upgrades
Contact your Medicare Advantage plan directly to find out whether any home modification benefits are part of your coverage.
Other Ways to Fund a Stair Lift
If you need a stair lift and Medicare will not help pay for it, here are some alternatives worth exploring:
- Medicaid: Certain state Medicaid programs provide home modification coverage for qualifying beneficiaries through waiver programs
- Veterans Affairs (VA): Eligible veterans may receive home modification grants from the VA
- Area Agency on Aging: Local agencies may have grants or affordable loan programs for home accessibility projects
- Nonprofit organizations: Some nonprofits offer financial help for home modifications
- Tax deductions: A stair lift installed for medical purposes may count as a deductible medical expense on your federal tax return, provided your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income
Steps to Get Help
- Discuss your mobility concerns with your doctor and ask about covered alternatives
- Reach out to your state Medicaid office to inquire about home modification programs
- Contact your local Area Agency on Aging by calling 1-800-677-1116
- Get quotes from several vendors, since stair lift prices can differ considerably
- Review your Medicare Advantage plan for any supplemental home modification benefits
Although Medicare's coverage for stair lifts is restricted, looking into alternative resources can help you secure the support you need to remain safe and independent at home.