In april of 2018 the centers for medicare and medicaid services cms announced the expansion of health related supplemental benefits through medicare.
Will medicare cover a walk in tub.
Home buyers guides does medicare cover walk in tubs.
Medicare may reimburse the costs of a walk in tub fully or partially.
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.
This use of walk in tubs fits loosely into the criteria specified by the cmc.
The cost of walk in tubs.
If you qualify for medicaid your state.
Unlike hospital beds wheelchairs catheters blood glucose monitors or nebulizers a walk in bathtub can be used by anyone.
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.
There is no guarantee medicare will assist with or pay for the purchase of a walk in tub.
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.
2020 update mary white september 8 2020 august 29 2020.
Learning that medicare doesn t cover walk in tubs can be disappointing.
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.
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.
Unfortunately walk in tubs are also fairly expensive with the most basic wheelchair accessible models starting at around 3000.
Unfortunately medicare usually does not consider a walk in tub as durable medical equipment dme and will not be covered by your insurance.
Financial assistance however is by no means guaranteed.
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.
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.
In order to get any reimbursement you will have to file a claim with medicare and have a written prescription from your doctor.
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.
Walk in tubs are not considered dmes and are not covered under medicare.
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.
