Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts

A stair lift is, basically a motorized chair that assists a person to ride up or down the stairs on a secure rail system and hence it can be considered to be a type of portable home medical equipment. The cost of a stair lift can vary anywhere from $ 3,000 to $ 4,000.Of the various Medicare plans, Medicare Part B plan covers different types of portable medical equipment for domestic use. It pays only for that part of the equipment that aids the patient, but does not pay for manufacture, assembling or installation of the equipment. Thus, the whole lift chair is not covered by Medicare, instead only the part that actually raises the chair is covered. This means that Medicare will cover the cost for the chair's lift mechanism and motor. This usually costs about $300.

However, for stair lifts to be covered by Medicare, it is necessary to obtain a Certificate of Medical Necessity from a medical professional. The general practitioner has to assess the individual’s physical ability, based which he/she has to certify that the equipment is required for medical reasons. In the case of a lift chair, the Certificate of Medical Necessity must explicitly certify that the individual is only able to get out of the chairs with the support of others in the house. Further, the equipment has to be provided by a Medicare approved supplier.

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