Are Walk In Tubs Covered By Medicaid

The question of whether your insurance will pay for a walk in tub is not a simple one.

Are walk in tubs covered by medicaid.

Having said that there could be some rare situations in which original medicare may provide financial assistance. This does not necessarily cover grab bars and walk in tubs. A walk in bathtub may well be covered if it proved to aid the recipient s transition to independent living by reducing the risk of injury. 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.

If your state does not have a community transitions program medicaid may still have sources of assistance to consider. Medicaid may be more likely to provide financial assistance for the purchase and installation of a walk in tub. Unfortunately walk in tubs are not categorized as durable medical equipment by the original medicare. So a walk in tub wouldn t be covered by medicare.

Medicaid is not a single federal program. Each state has different waivers for home and community based services hcbs. The guidelines for medicaid are different in every state but generally medicaid will pay for dme durable medical equipment that is medically necessary. Because walk in tubs could be considered specialized medical equipment or an environmental accessibility modification to your home which are covered by medicaid there is more room for medicaid to consider your application.

But we are going to explain how you can get it. Hence the cost of purchase and installation will not be covered by it. In order to get any reimbursement you will have to file a claim with medicare and have a written prescription from your doctor. August 29 2020 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.

Items primarily used for self help convenience or personal comfort are not by medicare s definition medically necessary equipment. A walk in tub is a helpful and instrumental piece of equipment which makes bath time easier especially for elderly persons with medical conditions. Rather it greatly depends on how you approach the issue and the measures you take. Walk in tubs are not considered dmes and are not covered under medicare.

Even with medicare advantage plans offering supplemental healthcare and new supplemental non healthcare benefits in 2020 medicaid is more likely to provide financial assistance for the purchase and installation of a walk in tub. 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. There is no guarantee medicare will assist with or pay for the purchase of a walk in tub. Click here for contact information for your state s medicaid program.