Does Medicare Cover Bathroom Equipment

However medicare does not generally consider bathroom aids such as grab bars to be covered durable medical equipment.

Does medicare cover bathroom equipment.

You may need to buy the equipment. But these plans have strict networks and it s worth comparing medigap vs. There are different ways by which medicare covers bathroom equipment. Medicare will only cover your dme if your doctors and dme suppliers are enrolled in medicare.

Medicaid related programs may provide coverage for certain types of bathroom equipment if a healthcare professional prescribes its use for a recipient with mobility issues but the recipient may be limited on which brand or what type of bathroom equipment they can order. Medicare may cover the costs of this equipment to some extent when they are recommended by the doctor. Commodes will be covered under part b s durable medical equipment benefits if the patient is confined to a room without bathroom facilities. However if you receive home health care medicare pays for some disposable supplies including intravenous supplies gauze and catheters as part of your home health care benefit.

The policy may only cover supplies under specific conditions. Doctors and suppliers have to meet strict standards to enroll and stay enrolled in medicare. You may need to rent the equipment. For example medicare does not cover incontinence pads catheters surgical facemasks or compression leggings.

If your doctor does prescribe durable medical equipment you will need to get it from a supplier that accepts assignment. Most dme items used in the bathroom are considered by medicare to be personal convenience items. Many big ticket items such as walk in bathtubs bath lifts or exercise equipment are also not covered. Medicare advantage before enrolling.

Some of the items not covered include air cleaners or air conditioners bath lifts bath seats bed trays grab bars massage devices raised toilet seats or conventional toilet seats. Medicare also covers lancets and test strips used with diabetes self testing equipment. Your medicare part b may also cover other bathroom equipment like toilet safety frames handheld shower heads portable commodes walk in bathtubs and emergency alert system. Consistent with medicare rules aetna s hmo based plans however do consider certain dme toilet items commodes bed pans etc medically necessary if the member is bed confined or room confined.

Medicare part b generally does cover durable medical equipment such as walkers and canes that may give you increased stability while using the bathroom. Medicare part b also generally covers commode chairs. To find out if medicare covers the equipment or supplies you need or to find a dme supplier in your area call 1 800 medicare or visit www medicare gov.