Medicare covers lift chairs only when a doctor prescribes them as medical equipment, not as furniture

Medicare Part B will pay for a lift chair if your doctor writes an order saying you need it for a medical reason — usually difficulty standing up due to arthritis, surgery recovery, or mobility loss. The chair must be prescribed as Durable Medical Equipment (DME), which means it has to serve a medical function beyond comfort. A lift chair you buy for convenience at a furniture store will not be covered, even if it is the same model.

The coverage splits the cost between you and Medicare. Medicare typically pays 80 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible for the year. You pay the remaining 20 percent, plus any difference if the supplier charges more than Medicare's allowed amount. The total out-of-pocket cost depends on the chair's price and your deductible status.

Key Takeaways

  • Your doctor must write a prescription stating that a lift chair is medically necessary for your condition, not just convenient.
  • Medicare covers the chair through Part B as Durable Medical Equipment after you meet your annual deductible.
  • You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost, plus any amount the supplier charges above that approved price.
  • You must order the chair from a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier, not from a furniture store or online retailer.
  • Medicare may require a face-to-face doctor visit and documentation of your medical need before approving payment.

How to get your doctor to prescribe a lift chair

Start by talking to your primary care doctor or the specialist treating your condition — for example, your orthopedic surgeon if you had knee surgery, or your rheumatologist if you have arthritis. Explain the specific difficulty: "I cannot stand up from a regular chair without pain" or "I fall when I try to get up from a low seat." The doctor needs to understand that a lift chair addresses a medical problem, not just a preference.

Your doctor will likely ask you to come in for a visit so they can document your mobility problem in your medical record. This visit is part of Medicare's requirement — they want proof that the need is real and recent, not something from years ago. If your doctor agrees, they will write a prescription that includes the medical reason (the diagnosis), your name, and a signature. Some doctors' offices send this directly to a DME supplier; others give it to you to carry.

If your regular doctor is unsure whether a lift chair qualifies, ask them to contact a DME supplier's medical review team. Suppliers often help doctors understand what Medicare will cover, and this conversation can clarify whether your situation meets the standard.

Finding a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier

You cannot order a lift chair from a furniture store or general online retailer and expect Medicare to pay. The supplier must be enrolled with Medicare, which means they have agreed to follow Medicare's rules and billing practices. You can search for enrolled suppliers in your area using the Medicare Supplier Directory on Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for DME suppliers near you.

Once you have your prescription, contact at least two or three suppliers to compare prices. Medicare sets an approved amount for lift chairs, but suppliers can charge more — and if they do, you pay the difference on top of your 20 percent coinsurance. Some suppliers are more expensive than others, so shopping around can save you money. Ask each supplier what their total charge is and what Medicare's approved amount is for that model.

The supplier will verify that your prescription is valid, check your Medicare coverage, and tell you what you will owe out of pocket. They handle the paperwork with Medicare, so you do not have to submit a claim yourself.

What Medicare's approved amount covers

Medicare sets a maximum price it will pay for different types of lift chairs, and this amount varies slightly by region and supplier. As of recent years, the approved amount for a standard lift chair typically ranges from around $1,000 to $1,500, though this can change. The actual price you see at a supplier may be higher, lower, or the same as the approved amount.

If the supplier charges $1,200 and Medicare's approved amount is $1,000, Medicare pays 80 percent of $1,000 ($800), and you owe 20 percent of $1,000 ($200) plus the $200 difference — a total of $400. If the supplier charges $900 and the approved amount is $1,000, Medicare still pays 80 percent of $1,000 ($800), and you pay 20 percent of $1,000 ($200). Choosing a supplier who charges at or below the approved amount keeps your out-of-pocket cost at 20 percent.

Meeting your Part B deductible first

Before Medicare pays for the lift chair, you must meet your Part B deductible for the calendar year. In 2024, the Part B deductible is $240, though this amount changes annually. If you have already paid $240 toward Part B services (doctor visits, lab work, imaging, or other covered services) earlier in the year, your deductible is met and Medicare will pay 80 percent of the approved chair cost right away.

If you have not met the deductible yet, you pay the full deductible amount first, then Medicare covers 80 percent of the remaining cost. For example, if the approved amount is $1,000 and you have not met your deductible, you pay $240 (deductible) plus 20 percent of the remaining $760 ($152), for a total of $392. After that, for the rest of the calendar year, Medicare pays 80 percent of any other Part B services you use.

Rental versus purchase options

Medicare allows you to either rent or buy a lift chair, and the choice affects your cost. If you rent, you pay a monthly fee — typically $50 to $150 depending on the supplier and chair model — and Medicare covers 80 percent of that rental cost after your deductible. Rental makes sense if you think you will need the chair for only a few months, such as during recovery from surgery.

If you purchase, you pay the full price upfront (minus Medicare's 80 percent share), but you own the chair and can keep it as long as you need it. After you have paid for the chair through rental for about 13 months, the supplier typically transfers ownership to you at no extra cost. This is called the rental-to-purchase option. If you know you will need the chair long-term, purchasing outright or choosing the rental-to-purchase path is usually more economical.

Ask your supplier which option they offer and what the total cost would be under each scenario. Some suppliers are more flexible than others about switching between rental and purchase.

What happens if Medicare denies the claim

Sometimes Medicare denies a lift chair claim because the prescription does not clearly state a medical reason, the doctor's visit was too long ago, or the supplier submitted incomplete paperwork. If this happens, the supplier will send you a notice called an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that explains why the claim was denied.

You have the right to ask for a review of the denial. The supplier can resubmit the claim with additional medical records or a clearer prescription from your doctor. If the denial stands, you can file a formal appeal with Medicare, though this process takes time. Contact 1-800-MEDICARE to ask about your appeal options, or ask the supplier whether they will help you appeal.

In the meantime, you may have to pay the supplier out of pocket while the appeal is pending. Some suppliers will wait for the appeal decision before charging you; others will ask you to pay and refund you if the appeal succeeds. Clarify this with the supplier before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan to cover the lift chair instead of Original Medicare?

If you have Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, your Medigap may cover some or all of your 20 percent coinsurance, depending on the plan. If you have Medicare Advantage, the lift chair is still covered as DME, but your out-of-pocket cost may be different — some Advantage plans charge a copay instead of coinsurance. Contact your plan to find out what you will owe.

What if my doctor says I need a lift chair but I do not have a regular doctor?

You can see any doctor who accepts Medicare for the prescription visit — this does not have to be your primary care doctor. Urgent care clinics, walk-in centers, and specialists all can write the prescription. The key is that the doctor must examine you, document your mobility problem, and write the order in your medical record.

Does Medicare cover a lift chair if I have had one before?

Medicare can cover a replacement lift chair if your previous one is broken beyond repair or if your medical condition has changed significantly. You will need a new prescription from your doctor explaining why you need a replacement. If you straightforward want an upgrade to a fancier model, Medicare will not cover it.

Can I buy a lift chair online and then ask Medicare to reimburse me?

No. Medicare only pays when you order from a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier. If you buy from a furniture store or online retailer, Medicare will not reimburse you, even if you have a valid prescription. The supplier enrollment is part of Medicare's quality and billing oversight.

How long does it take for Medicare to approve and pay for a lift chair?

Once the supplier submits your prescription and paperwork, Medicare typically makes a decision within 5 to 10 business days. The supplier then orders the chair, which may take 1 to 3 weeks to arrive depending on the model and their inventory. Total time from prescription to delivery is usually 3 to 4 weeks, though it can be faster or slower depending on circumstances.