Medicare's Coverage of Compression Stockings
Medicare Part B covers compression stockings — also called support hose — but only when a doctor writes an order for them as medical treatment, not as general preventive wear. The stockings must be prescribed to treat a specific condition: venous insufficiency, lymphedema, post-thrombotic syndrome, or severe varicose veins. Medicare will pay 80 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible, and you pay the remaining 20 percent as coinsurance.
The prescription must come from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who has examined you. A telehealth visit counts. The provider must document in your medical record why the stockings are medically necessary — that is, what condition they treat and why that condition requires compression therapy rather than other options.
You cannot straightforward buy compression stockings over the counter and submit the receipt to Medicare. The order must be placed through a supplier enrolled in Medicare, and that supplier bills Medicare directly. If you buy them yourself, Medicare will not reimburse you later.
Key Takeaways
- Your doctor must write a prescription for compression stockings to treat a specific vein or lymphatic condition; Medicare does not cover them for general comfort or prevention.
- You must purchase the stockings through a Medicare-enrolled supplier, not over the counter, or Medicare will not pay any part of the cost.
- Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of the approved amount after your deductible; you pay 20 percent coinsurance.
- The prescription order must include documentation of the medical reason — the condition being treated — in your medical record.
- Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans may cover your coinsurance, depending on your specific plan.
What Conditions may have access to for Coverage
Medicare covers compression stockings for venous insufficiency, the most common reason. This is a condition in which the veins in your legs do not return blood to your heart efficiently, causing swelling, pain, or skin changes. Your doctor documents this diagnosis in your chart, usually based on symptoms you report or an ultrasound of the leg veins.
Lymphedema — swelling caused by damage to or removal of lymph nodes — also qualifies. This often occurs after cancer surgery or radiation. Post-thrombotic syndrome, which develops after a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot), is covered. Severe varicose veins that cause symptoms like pain or swelling may also meet the standard, though the bar is higher than for the other conditions.
Your doctor decides whether your condition meets Medicare's threshold. If you have been told you have one of these conditions but have never been prescribed compression stockings, ask your doctor whether they would help you. If your doctor says the stockings are not medically necessary for your situation, Medicare will not cover them even if you buy them yourself.
How to Get a Prescription and Order Stockings
Start by scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor, cardiologist, vascular surgeon, or dermatologist — whoever treats the vein or lymphatic condition. Tell them you are interested in compression stockings and ask whether they think the stockings would help your condition. If they agree, they will write an order.
The order will specify the type of compression (measured in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg), the length (knee-high, thigh-high, or waist-high), and the quantity Medicare will cover — usually two to three pairs per month. Your doctor's office will either give you the order to take to a supplier or send it directly to a supplier they work with.
Find a Medicare-enrolled supplier by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or searching the Medicare Supplier Directory at dmepos.cms.gov. You can also ask your doctor's office which suppliers they recommend. Call the supplier, give them your prescription, and they will measure you (usually by phone or video) and ship the stockings to your home. The supplier bills Medicare directly; you should receive an explanation of benefits in the mail showing what Medicare paid and what you owe.
What You Will Pay Out of Pocket
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on whether you have met your Part B deductible for the year. Once you meet the deductible — which is $226 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly — Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount for the stockings, and you pay 20 percent.
The approved amount is set by Medicare, not by the supplier's list price. A pair of compression stockings might be listed at $150 by the supplier, but Medicare's approved amount might be $80. You would pay 20 percent of $80, which is $16 per pair, not 20 percent of $150.
If you have a Medigap plan (supplemental insurance), it may cover your coinsurance. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's rules — some cover compression stockings with a copay, others with coinsurance, and some may not cover them at all. Check your plan documents or call the plan to find out.
Coverage Limits and Renewal
Medicare typically covers two to three pairs of compression stockings per month, which works out to roughly 24 to 36 pairs per year. This limit accounts for wear and washing. If you need more than this amount, your doctor can request an exception, though Medicare may deny it.
Your prescription does not expire after one order. Once your doctor writes the order, you can reorder from the same supplier or a different Medicare-enrolled supplier as long as the order remains valid — usually for one year. After one year, you need a new prescription from your doctor. If your condition has improved or changed, your doctor may adjust the prescription or decide the stockings are no longer medically necessary.
If you switch suppliers, make sure the new supplier is Medicare-enrolled. If you order from a non-enrolled supplier, Medicare will not pay, and you will owe the full cost.
When Medicare Does Not Cover Compression Stockings
Medicare does not cover compression stockings bought over the counter, even if they are the same type and quality as prescribed stockings. The order must come from a doctor and go through a Medicare-enrolled supplier.
Medicare also does not cover compression stockings for prevention — that is, if you have no symptoms or diagnosis but want to wear them to prevent problems. They must treat an existing condition. If your doctor says you do not have a condition that warrants compression therapy, Medicare will not pay.
Some suppliers sell "medical-grade" compression stockings directly to consumers without a prescription. These are not covered by Medicare. If you buy them yourself, you cannot later submit the receipt and ask Medicare to reimburse you.
Medicare Advantage and Medigap Coverage Differences
If you have Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan, Medigap typically covers your 20 percent coinsurance after Medicare pays its 80 percent. This means you may pay nothing out of pocket, depending on which Medigap plan you have. Plans C, D, G, and M cover coinsurance; Plans A and B do not. Check your Medigap policy or call your plan to confirm.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, coverage works differently. Your plan sets its own rules for compression stockings. Some plans cover them with a copay (for example, $25 per pair), some with coinsurance (for example, 20 percent), and some may not cover them at all. You must check your plan's formulary or call the plan's customer service line to find out what you will pay. If your plan does not cover compression stockings, you can still get a prescription and buy them yourself, but you will pay the full cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy compression stockings over the counter and have Medicare pay me back?
No. Medicare only pays when you order through a Medicare-enrolled supplier with a doctor's prescription. If you buy them yourself, even from a pharmacy or medical supply store, Medicare will not reimburse you. You must use the prescribed route from the start.
Do I need a specific type of doctor to prescribe compression stockings?
No. Any doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who has examined you and documented a may have access to condition can write the order. Your primary care doctor, cardiologist, vascular surgeon, or dermatologist can all do this. A telehealth visit counts as long as the provider has examined you and can document the medical reason.
What if my doctor says compression stockings are not medically necessary?
Then Medicare will not cover them. You can buy them yourself if you wish, but you will pay the full cost. If you disagree with your doctor's assessment, you can seek a second opinion from another doctor, but Medicare will only pay if a doctor documents that the stockings treat a may have access to condition.
How long does it take to receive compression stockings after I get a prescription?
Most suppliers ship within 3 to 7 business days after they receive your prescription and take your measurements. Some suppliers measure you by phone or video before shipping. Call the supplier to ask about their timeline once you have placed the order.
Can I use my Medicare Advantage plan's mail-order pharmacy to get compression stockings?
No. Compression stockings are durable medical equipment, not pharmacy items, so they do not go through a mail-order pharmacy. You must order through a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier. Your Medicare Advantage plan will tell you which suppliers are in-network if you call customer service.