Does Medicare Pay For A Liftchair?

We are often asked if Medicare will pay for a lift chair. The short answer is rarely. And, when if does pay it is only a small amount which equals a small amount of money compared to the actual purchase price of a quality Reclining Lift Chair. Here are the general Medicare rules.

 Medicare only covers the seat-lift mechanism, but not the actual chair/furniture portion itself. The reimbursement amount is between $250-$300 depending on where you live IF all the criteria is met. Also, there is a yearly deductable fopr Medicare Part B that you pay out of packet before any benefit is paid. 

A lift chair is considered medically necessary if all of the following coverage criteria are met:

• The beneficiary must have severe arthritis of the hip or knee only, or have a severe neuromuscular disease. This must be specifically documented by your physician.
• The seat lift mechanism must be a part of the physician's course of treatment and be prescribed to effect improvement, or arrest or retard deterioration in the patient's condition.
• The patient must be completely incapable of standing up from a regular armchair or any chair in their home.
• Once standing, the patient must have the ability to walk, even if a cane, walker or other assistance is required. Medicare will not cover this item if the beneficiary has a wheelchair, scooter, or power wheelchair on file.
• By Medicare standards, the fact that a beneficiary has difficulty or is even incapable of getting up from a chair, particularly a low chair is not sufficient justification for a seat lift mechanism. Almost all beneficiaries who are capable of ambulating can get out of an ordinary chair, if the seat height is appropriate and the chair has arms.
• Medicare requires that the physician ordering the seat lift mechanism must be the attending physician or a consulting physician for the disease or condition resulting in the need for a seat lift.

Unfortunately, few qualify and the time and effort spent is not in proportion to the amount received, assuming you receive anything. 

Best Regards, Ed

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