Are Walk In Tubs Covered By Medicaid

Medicaid s policy on walk in tubs.

Are walk in tubs covered by medicaid.

The guidelines for medicaid are different in every state but generally medicaid will pay for dme durable medical equipment that is medically necessary. So a walk in tub wouldn t be covered by medicare. 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. 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.

Unfortunately walk in tubs are not categorized as durable medical equipment by the original medicare. Click here for contact information for your state s medicaid program. But again check with your state s medicaid program. There is no guarantee medicare will assist with or pay for the purchase of a walk in tub.

In order to get any reimbursement you will have to file a claim with medicare and have a written prescription from your doctor. Medicaid may be more likely to provide financial assistance for the purchase and installation of a walk in tub. Items primarily used for self help convenience or personal comfort are not by medicare s definition medically necessary equipment. This does not necessarily cover grab bars and walk in tubs.

Medicaid is not a single federal program. However if you are eligible for medicaid your state s program might offer financial assistance for a walk in bathtub. If your state does not have a community transitions program medicaid may still have sources of assistance to consider. 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.

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. Rather it greatly depends on how you approach the issue and the measures you take. Hence the cost of purchase and installation will not be covered by it. 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.

Having said that there could be some rare situations in which original medicare may provide financial assistance. The question of whether your insurance will pay for a walk in tub is not a simple one. Each state has different waivers for home and community based services hcbs. A walk in tub is a helpful and instrumental piece of equipment which makes bath time easier especially for elderly persons with medical conditions.