Are Walk In Tubs Covered By Medicaid

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Are walk in tubs covered by medicaid.

Each state has different waivers for home and community based services hcbs. The question of whether your insurance will pay for a walk in tub is not a simple one. Medicaid is not a single federal program. 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.

So a walk in tub wouldn t be covered by medicare. However if you are eligible for medicaid your state s program might offer financial assistance for a walk in bathtub. 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. Having said that there could be some rare situations in which original medicare may provide financial assistance.

In order to get any reimbursement you will have to file a claim with medicare and have a written prescription from your doctor. If your state does not have a community transitions program medicaid may still have sources of assistance to consider. 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. Medicaid may be more likely to provide financial assistance for the purchase and installation of a walk in tub.

There is no guarantee medicare will assist with or pay for the purchase of a walk in tub. Unfortunately walk in tubs are not categorized as durable medical equipment by the original medicare. Hence the cost of purchase and installation will not be covered by it. 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.

This does not necessarily cover grab bars and walk in tubs. But we are going to explain how you can get it. The guidelines for medicaid are different in every state but generally medicaid will pay for dme durable medical equipment that is medically necessary. Items primarily used for self help convenience or personal comfort are not by medicare s definition medically necessary equipment.

But again check with your state s medicaid program. 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. Rather it greatly depends on how you approach the issue and the measures you take. Medicaid s policy on walk in tubs.