Does Medicare Cover Shower Chairs?
As you get older, you become more prone to joint problems and balance issues, and performing certain functions like standing while in the shower can be difficult. If you are permanently or temporarily disabled, you may find it difficult to get into the shower and bathe yourself. You may also be more worried about slipping and falling while in the shower.
Having bathroom safety devices, like a sturdy shower chair, along with grab bars and a raised toilet seat, can lessen the risk of falling.
While Medicare does not typically cover shower chairs, this article will help you understand how you can reduce your costs and how to get a shower chair if Medicare doesn’t cover it.
Does Medicare cover shower chairs?
Original Medicare does not routinely cover shower chairs, as they are not deemed "medically necessary."
Medicare Part B (one part of Original Medicare) covers medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME). A shower chair can be very helpful for anyone who needs support in the shower. That said, it is considered a convenience item rather than a necessity, like a wheelchair or oxygen equipment.
For Medicare Part B to cover DME, the item must be:
Durable (can withstand repeated use)
Used for a medical reason
Used in your home
Has an expected lifetime of at least 3 years.
While shower chairs can be durable, proving medical necessity can be difficult.
What is a shower chair?
A shower chair is a seat designed to be used in the tub or shower. Some are permanently installed, but most are height-adjustable and made with 100% plastic or plastic with aluminum legs and rubber feet. They provide simple seating with or without a back. Others meet special needs for those who require special help getting in or out of the tub
There are several types of shower chairs, including the following.
Shower stool: A shower stool has no back and is easy to fold and store. These stools are easy to remove from the shower when not in use if you are mobile enough to manage picking them up.
Shower chair: These chairs have a back with easy-to-grip side handles. The back provides extra support, and the handles make it easier to get up and down from the chair. If you don't like the back, you can remove it on most models.
Tub bench: If you are in a wheelchair or have a hard time getting into the tub or shower, a tub transfer bench makes it easier. The bench has a long seat with two legs that sit in the tub and two legs that sit on the floor outside the tub. You can sit on the bench and slide across it to get in the right position to bathe. Some transfer benches are extra long, so you can slide across to the tub or even sit over the toilet.
Fold-down chair: After you securely wall-mount these chairs in your shower, you flip the seat down when you're ready to bathe, then fold it back up out of the way when you're done.
Rolling shower chair: These chairs look like wheelchairs with a commode-style seat that is open underneath so you can access a toilet. The chair rolls and has locking wheels for safety. You can easily and safely roll in and out of an accessible shower. Some high-end models have a bridge enabling you to get into a walk-in shower with a step or hoist into the tub.
Does Medicare cover shower chairs in a skilled nursing facility?
As a patient in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, you may have access to a shower chair during your stay. Your Medicare Part A coverage may help cover the chair and other services and supplies you receive while formally admitted.
Does Medicare cover the cost of a shower chair in any case?
Some wheeled shower chairs can be used as a portable commode that you can use over the toilet or by the bedside when you slide in a removable chamber pot. If equipment like this is deemed medically necessary by your doctor, you could receive Medicare coverage.
If Medicare covers such devices, the usual out-of-pocket costs apply:
Medicare pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount after you have met your Part B deductible.
A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan should pick up the remaining amount.
How can you increase your chances of receiving Medicare coverage for a shower chair?
You can increase the chance that Medicare will pay if you do the following:
Get a prescription: Obtain a prescription from your doctor that clearly states the medical necessity of the shower chair.
Documentation: Keep detailed records of your medical condition and how the shower chair helps.
Contact Medicare: Call Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan provider directly to inquire about coverage details.
Contact DME suppliers: Some DME suppliers will assist with the paperwork to help you receive Medicare coverage for your shower chair.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover shower chairs?
Medicare Advantage plans may offer more liberal coverage for shower chairs than Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans vary, so you’ll need to check with your specific plans. Some Medicare Advantage plans also offer over-the-counter cash cards that you can use to purchase a shower chair without any out-of-pocket costs.
Will Medicaid pay for a shower chair?
Medicaid may cover the cost of a shower chair if the doctor says it is medically necessary. To qualify, you must meet income eligibility requirements.
For low-income individuals in nursing homes, Medicaid may cover shower chairs, raised toilet seats, and other bathroom safety equipment that promotes independence and wellness.
Some Medicaid recipients can use PACE, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, to obtain needed equipment.
How can you get a shower chair if Medicare will not pay?
If Medicare doesn’t pay for a shower chair, you can consider purchasing one on your own. You should look at the chairs’ stability, size, comfort, height adjustability, and weight capacity. Many models, including the Carex Bath Seat And Shower Chair or Dr. Kay's Adjustable Shower Chair are available for less than $50.
Get free or reduced-cost shower chairs from local organizations and communities
If the cost of a shower chair is outside your budget, there are other ways to get one.
Local charitable organizations such as local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), the Lions Club, or Easterseals may provide financial aid, new equipment, or donated equipment.
State-level programs may provide assistive devices like shower chairs to individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions.
Secondhand sources include online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist, as well as brick-and-mortar locations like thrift stores or yard sales.
Try to get a chair deemed medically necessary
Some rolling shower chair commodes cost hundreds of dollars, but many such devices are moderately priced. If you need a more advanced model, your doctor and DME vendor may be able to get Medicare approval by substantiating the medical purpose for the chair and properly preparing the paperwork.
Use a tax credit for medically necessary modifications
Another option is to make home modifications, such as adding a walk-in bathtub or an accessible shower that includes a built-in shower seat. While Medicare won't reimburse you for these improvements, you may be able to get a tax credit. Before you start renovations, chat with your tax advisor about the current rules so you can justify that your improvements are medically necessary.
Bottom line
While Original Medicare rarely covers shower chairs, Medicare Advantage plans might. Medicare Advantage plans may also eliminate your costs for a shower chair through your OTC benefit. It's essential to verify your specific plan's coverage and obtain proper documentation from your doctor.