Will Medicare Cover A Walk In Tub

The claim process has proven successful for many although not all seniors or those with.

Will medicare cover a walk in tub.

After all for many people a walk in tub is a helpful piece of equipment one that makes bath time much safer and promotes independence. Unlike hospital beds wheelchairs catheters blood glucose monitors or nebulizers a walk in bathtub can be used by anyone. Walk in tubs are not considered dmes and are not covered under medicare. Home buyers guides does medicare cover walk in tubs.

While medicare doesn t typically cover walk in bathtubs if you get both medicare and medicaid benefits you might qualify for a dual eligible special needs plan. While a walk in tub is not typically covered by medicare you may be able to get some type of reimbursement after you ve purchased the tub and had it installed in your home. In april of 2018 the centers for medicare and medicaid services cms announced the expansion of health related supplemental benefits through medicare. 2020 update mary white september 8 2020 august 29 2020.

While getting original medicare to cover the cost of walk in tubs is very difficult medicare advantage regulated by medicare but run by private insurance companies may be a different story. Financial assistance however is by no means guaranteed. Although medicare expanded supplemental benefits in 2018 medicaid is still the more likely of the two programs to cover the costs of purchasing and installing a walk in bathtub. 2020 update does medicare cover walk in tubs.

This is a type of medicare advantage plan that tailors its benefits for beneficiaries who are eligible for both medicare and medicaid coverage also known as dual eligibles. Although in rare instances a walk in tub may be part of a written prescription for a medical diagnosis most likely there would be only reimbursement in these cases. Medicare sometimes considers walk in tub as durable and effective medical equipment for seniors who need special care when looking for a comfortable and safe bath. The cost of walk in tubs.

Unfortunately medicare usually does not consider a walk in tub as durable medical equipment dme and will not be covered by your insurance. Learning that medicare doesn t cover walk in tubs can be disappointing. This use of walk in tubs fits loosely into the criteria specified by the cmc. If you currently receive medicare benefits you may be wondering if your coverage will help pay some of the costs of a walk in tub.

The guidance by the cmc could be interpreted with an understanding that some medicare advantage plans can cover the cost of a walk in tub. Walk in bathtubs are generally not covered by medicare because they are not considered durable medical equipment. Medicare may reimburse the costs of a walk in tub fully or partially. Unfortunately walk in tubs are also fairly expensive with the most basic wheelchair accessible models starting at around 3000.