Medicare Part B does not cover a permanently installed stair lift, but it may cover alternatives that serve the same purpose

Medicare distinguishes between durable medical equipment (DME), which it will pay for, and home modifications, which it will not. A traditional stair lift—the motorized chair that runs along a rail and is bolted to your stairs—is classified as a structural change to your home rather than medical equipment. Because of this classification, Medicare Part B does not cover the cost of purchase or installation.

However, Medicare may cover equipment that lets you avoid stairs altogether. A portable stair climbing device (a battery-powered lift you sit in while it carries you up or down), a motorized wheelchair, or a scooter can all be covered by Medicare Part B if your doctor prescribes them for a medical reason. The key difference is that these are portable and classified as DME, while a permanently installed stair lift is not. Your doctor's recommendation and your specific medical need determine what Medicare will actually cover in your case.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part B does not cover the cost of a permanently installed stair lift because it is classified as a home modification rather than medical equipment.
  • Portable stair climbing devices, motorized wheelchairs, and scooters may be covered by Medicare Part B if your doctor prescribes them for a medical reason such as arthritis, heart disease, or difficulty walking.
  • To get coverage for any mobility equipment, you need a written prescription from your doctor and must use a supplier enrolled with Medicare before you purchase anything.
  • You will typically pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible, and Medicare pays the remaining 80 percent.
  • Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, or your state's aging services program may cover a stair lift when Medicare does not.

What Medicare Part B covers instead of a stair lift

If you cannot safely use stairs, Medicare Part B may cover equipment that lets you avoid them. A portable stair climbing device (also called a motorized stair climber) is a battery-powered device you sit in while it carries you up or down stairs. Unlike a permanently installed stair lift, this equipment is portable and classified as DME. Medicare covers 80 percent of the approved amount after your deductible; you pay 20 percent.

A motorized wheelchair or scooter that lets you move around your home without using stairs is also an option. If your doctor prescribes one because you cannot walk safely due to arthritis, heart disease, lung disease, or another medical condition, Medicare Part B will cover it. You pay 20 percent of the approved cost after meeting your deductible; Medicare pays the rest. These devices must be prescribed by your doctor and ordered through a Medicare-enrolled supplier—you cannot buy one on your own and ask Medicare to reimburse you.

An elevator or platform lift (a small lift that moves between floors) is also considered a home modification, so Medicare does not cover it. However, some state Medicaid programs, Veterans Affairs, or local aging services agencies may help pay for these if you meet their requirements. Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you what programs exist in your state.

How to get Medicare to cover mobility equipment

The first step is to talk with your doctor about why you cannot safely use stairs. Your doctor needs to document a medical reason—such as severe arthritis, heart failure, COPD, recent surgery, or difficulty walking—and write a prescription for the specific equipment you need. The prescription must state that the equipment is medically necessary, not just convenient or helpful. Without this documentation, Medicare will deny the claim.

Next, you must use a supplier that is enrolled with Medicare. You cannot buy the equipment yourself and ask Medicare to reimburse you; the supplier must submit the claim to Medicare before you purchase anything. Ask your doctor for a referral to a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier, or search the Medicare Supplier Directory at dmepos.cms.gov. Call the supplier and confirm they accept Medicare and will submit the claim on your behalf before you commit to anything.

The supplier will send your doctor's prescription to Medicare for review. Medicare will decide whether the equipment meets its coverage rules. This process usually takes one to two weeks. If Medicare approves it, you will receive the equipment and pay your 20 percent share of the approved amount. If Medicare denies it, you have the right to appeal within 180 days of the denial notice.

What you will pay out of pocket

Your costs depend on whether you have met your Part B deductible for the year. Once you meet the deductible (which changes each year), Medicare covers 80 percent of the approved amount for DME, and you pay 20 percent. The approved amount is set by Medicare, not by the supplier's list price, so your actual cost may be lower than the sticker price you see advertised.

For example, if a portable stair climbing device has a Medicare-approved amount of $3,000 and you have already met your deductible, you pay $600 and Medicare pays $2,400. If you have not met your deductible yet, you pay the full deductible amount first, then 20 percent of the remaining approved cost. Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) cover DME differently than Original Medicare does, so check your plan's coverage details or call the plan directly to find out what you will pay.

When Medicare denies coverage and what to do next

Medicare may deny coverage if your doctor's prescription does not clearly state a medical reason, if the equipment is deemed not medically necessary, or if you do not use a Medicare-enrolled supplier. If this happens, you will receive a notice called an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that explains why Medicare said no. Read this notice carefully and keep it for your records.

You have the right to appeal. You can ask your doctor to provide more detail about your medical condition and why the equipment is necessary for your safety. Send this additional information to Medicare along with a written appeal within 180 days of the denial date. Many appeals are successful when the doctor provides additional clinical information that was missing from the original prescription. Include your name, Medicare number, and the date of the original denial in your appeal letter.

If Medicare continues to deny coverage, explore other funding sources. Your state's Medicaid program may cover a stair lift if you meet income and asset limits. If you are a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs may cover home modifications. Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you what programs exist in your state and help you understand the requirements for each one.

Other programs that may help pay for a stair lift

Medicaid covers stair lifts in some states, particularly if you are homebound or at high risk of falling. Each state sets its own rules, so contact your state Medicaid office to ask whether stair lifts are covered and what you need to provide—usually a doctor's order and proof of income. Your state Medicaid office can also tell you whether you need prior approval before purchasing the equipment.

Veterans Affairs covers home modifications, including stair lifts, for veterans with service-connected disabilities or those receiving Aid and Attendance benefits. Contact your local VA medical center or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1, to learn what you may be may have access to to. The VA has its own process for approving home modifications, and approval can take several weeks.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers in your county can tell you about local programs, grants, and low-interest loans for home modifications. Search for your local center at acl.gov/ltcombudsman or call your Area Agency on Aging. These centers often know about smaller local programs and non-profit funding that is not widely advertised.

Non-profit organizations focused on specific diseases (such as the American Heart Association or American Lung Association) sometimes offer grants or can direct you to local resources. Your doctor may know of programs that help patients with your condition. Some disease-specific organizations have relationships with equipment suppliers and can negotiate discounts.

Questions to ask your doctor

Before you pursue any equipment, have a clear conversation with your doctor about your options and Medicare's rules. Ask: "What equipment do you think would help me move safely at home?" "Will you write a prescription for [specific equipment]?" "Is there a reason Medicare might not cover this?" and "Are there other options if Medicare denies this one?" A doctor who understands Medicare's rules can help you choose equipment that is both medically appropriate and likely to be covered.

Also ask your doctor whether they have worked with Medicare-enrolled suppliers before and whether they can recommend one. Some doctors have established relationships with suppliers and know which ones process claims quickly and reliably. This can speed up the approval process and reduce the chance of delays or denials due to paperwork problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a stair lift myself and have Medicare reimburse me?

No. Medicare only pays when you use a Medicare-enrolled supplier and the supplier submits the claim before you purchase the equipment. If you buy it on your own, Medicare will not reimburse you, even if the equipment would have been covered under Medicare's rules.

Does Medicare Advantage cover stair lifts differently than Original Medicare?

It may. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer different coverage for DME or home modifications. Call your plan's customer service number (on your insurance card) and ask specifically about stair lifts and portable stair climbing devices. Get the answer in writing if possible so you have documentation.

What if my doctor says I need a stair lift but Medicare says it is not medically necessary?

You can appeal. Ask your doctor to write a detailed letter explaining your medical condition and why a stair lift is necessary for your safety. Send this to Medicare with a written appeal within 180 days. If the appeal is denied, ask about a portable stair climbing device instead, which Medicare may cover as DME.

Will my supplemental insurance (Medigap) help pay for a stair lift?

Medigap plans cover the same services as Original Medicare, so if Medicare does not cover a stair lift, your Medigap plan will not either. However, Medigap will pay your 20 percent share of any DME that Medicare does cover, such as a portable stair climbing device or scooter.

How long does it take to get approval and receive the equipment?

Medicare's review usually takes one to two weeks. Once approved, the supplier will deliver the equipment within a few days to a few weeks, depending on availability and whether the item needs to be ordered. Tell your doctor and supplier if you need it urgently so they can flag the request for faster processing.