Walk In Bathtubs Covered By Medicare
Home buyers guides does medicare cover walk in tubs.
Walk in bathtubs covered by medicare. Walk in tubs are designed to help minimize the risk of fall or slip thereby minimizing the chances of injuries and fractures. 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. In order to get any reimbursement you will have to file a claim with medicare and have a written prescription from your doctor. In april of 2018 the centers for medicare and medicaid services cms announced the expansion of health related supplemental benefits through medicare.
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. 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. Unfortunately medicare usually does not consider a walk in tub as durable medical equipment dme and will not be covered by your insurance. Medicare walk in bathtubs walk in showers april 3 2019 medicare has specific rules about what types of equipment and supplies they will cover and a good rule of thumb is whether it is considered durable medical equipment.
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. 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. Medicaid is fundamentally different from medicare. 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.
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. Financial assistance however is by no means guaranteed. Unlike hospital beds wheelchairs catheters blood glucose monitors or nebulizers a walk in bathtub can be used by anyone. The claim process has proven successful for many although not all seniors or those with.
2020 update does medicare cover walk in tubs. There is no guarantee medicare will assist with or pay for the purchase of a walk in tub. Walk in bathtubs are generally not covered by medicare because they are not considered durable medical equipment. If you qualify for medicaid your state.
The cost of walk in tubs. This use of walk in tubs fits loosely into the criteria specified by the cmc. 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.