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How To Get A Shower Chair Under Medicare
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Bathroom safety devices like shower chairs are more than just convenient. They can prevent injury if you have mobility or balance issues and provide the support you need to keep you safe. Medicare does not cover shower chairs directly anyways, but they may offer reimbursement that would help you spend little at the end. Shower chairs are classified as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). Depending on the specific mobility or balance issues you have been diagnosed with, these chairs may or may not be covered by your Medicare insurance.
Bathroom safety devices like shower chairs are more than just convenient. They can prevent injury if you have mobility or balance issues and provide the support you need to keep you safe. Medicare does not cover shower chairs directly anyways, but they may offer reimbursement that would help you spend little at the end. Shower chairs are classified as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). Depending on the specific mobility or balance issues you have been diagnosed with, these chairs may or may not be covered by your Medicare insurance.
Shower Chair - A Durable Medical Equipment?
To understand when shower chairs may or may not be eligible for coverage, you need to know how Medicare defines Durable Medical Equipment (DME). The meaning of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is strictly defined by Medicare Part B coverage. For a piece of equipment to be classified as Durable Medical Equipment and eligible for Medicare coverage, the device has to meet some requirements, and some of these requirements include:
– Intended for use in your home
– Used for a specific medical reason
– Able to be used repeatedly
– Expected to last for at least three years
It is also essential to add that a doctor must prescribe a device classified as Durable Medical Equipment covered by Medicare. The Doctor and the supplier of the equipment must participate in Medicare and accept assignments. You may be responsible for copayments or coinsurance, and your Part B deductible will apply. Even though you may feel that all the above criteria are met, it is essential to know that Medicare does not usually deem shower chairs a medically necessary intervention. If you are in a hospital or a skilled nursing facility, you will have access to a shower chair if you need one. During your stays in these facilities, Medicare Part A will help cover the costs.
If you have a Medicare Advantage, you may get a shower chair for free.
Medicare Coverage For Shower Chair
Medicare B defines Durable Medical Equipment as devices that must be used to meet specific medical necessities. Shower chairs are generally covered under Medicare. Also, as stated earlier, if you work as a nurse or health worker in a health facility, you may have Medicare Advantage that could get you a shower chair during your stay in the facility with the cost fully covered by Medicare A. Many Medicare recipients choose to get their benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan. MA plans must provide at least Part A and Part B coverage as Original Medicare, but many medical advantage plans include additional benefits at little to no extra cost.
Some Medicare Advantage comes with extra allowances that can cover safety devices like shower chairs; you should check on the exact costs of items to purchase.
