Medicare covers shower chairs as durable medical equipment, but only if your doctor prescribes one and it meets specific conditions

Medicare Part B will pay for a shower chair if a doctor determines you need it for a medical reason — not just for comfort or convenience. The chair must be prescribed as part of your treatment, and you'll typically pay 20% of the approved cost after you've met your Part B deductible. The supplier must be enrolled with Medicare, which means not every store that sells shower chairs can bill Medicare for one.

The key difference is between a standard shower chair you buy at a drugstore and one that Medicare considers medically necessary. A standard plastic shower seat is inexpensive and widely available, but Medicare won't pay for it unless your doctor has documented that you have a condition — such as arthritis, balance problems, weakness after surgery, or a neurological condition — that makes standing in the shower unsafe or impossible for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Your doctor must write an order stating you need a shower chair for a medical condition before Medicare will consider paying for it.
  • You'll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting your Part B deductible; the supplier must be Medicare-enrolled to bill the program.
  • Medicare distinguishes between basic comfort items (which it doesn't cover) and medical equipment prescribed to treat or manage a specific health condition.
  • If your doctor hasn't prescribed one, you can buy a shower chair out of pocket from a drugstore or online retailer for $30 to $150, depending on features.
  • Grab bars, bath benches, and transfer benches follow the same coverage rules as shower chairs.

How to get Medicare to cover a shower chair

Start by talking to your doctor about your difficulty or safety concerns in the shower. Be specific: explain whether you're unsteady on your feet, have arthritis that makes standing painful, are recovering from surgery, or have another condition that affects your balance or strength. Your doctor will decide whether a shower chair is medically necessary for your condition.

If your doctor agrees, they'll write an order (sometimes called a prescription) for durable medical equipment. You don't fill this at a pharmacy — instead, you'll take it to a Medicare-enrolled supplier. You can find enrolled suppliers by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or searching the Medicare Supplier Directory online at dmepos.cms.gov. Give the supplier your Medicare number and the doctor's order, and they'll handle the paperwork with Medicare.

The supplier will submit the claim to Medicare. Medicare reviews it to confirm the order is from a real doctor, that the equipment is appropriate for your condition, and that the price is within the approved amount. This review can take one to two weeks. Once approved, Medicare pays 80% of the approved cost, and you pay 20% — but only if you've already met your Part B deductible for that year.

What Medicare considers medically necessary versus comfort items

Medicare has a strict definition: equipment is covered only if it treats an illness or injury, compensates for a disability, or helps you perform a function you've lost. A shower chair bought for general comfort — because you like to sit while showering, or because it's convenient — does not meet this standard, even if you're over 65.

Conditions that typically support a shower chair prescription include arthritis affecting your knees or hips, balance disorders, Parkinson's disease, stroke recovery, post-surgical weakness, neuropathy, or severe fatigue from conditions like cancer or heart disease. Your doctor documents the specific reason in your medical record, and that documentation is what Medicare reviews.

If you don't have a medical condition that justifies the prescription, Medicare won't pay. In that case, you can still buy a shower chair on your own. A basic plastic shower seat costs $30 to $60 at drugstores, pharmacies, or online retailers. More elaborate models with armrests, higher weight capacity, or specialized features run $80 to $150.

Your out-of-pocket costs under Medicare

If Medicare approves your shower chair, your cost depends on two things: whether you've met your Part B deductible, and what the Medicare-approved amount is for that equipment.

For 2024, the Part B deductible is $240 per year. Once you've paid that amount toward any Part B services or equipment, you then pay 20% of the approved cost for the shower chair. If the approved amount is $200, you'd pay $40. If it's $300, you'd pay $60. The supplier can tell you the approved amount before you commit.

If you haven't met your deductible yet, you'll pay the full approved cost up to your deductible, then 20% of anything over that. For example, if your deductible is $240 and the approved cost is $300, you'd pay $240 toward your deductible, then $12 (which is 20% of the remaining $60).

Other bathroom safety equipment Medicare may cover

Shower chairs are one of several bathroom aids that follow the same coverage rules. Grab bars, bath benches, transfer benches, and raised toilet seats can all be covered if your doctor prescribes them for a medical reason. Bathtub lifts — motorized devices that lower you into the tub — are also sometimes covered, though approval is less common.

Toilet safety frames, which attach to the toilet and provide armrests to help you stand and sit, are frequently covered. Shower stalls with built-in seats or grab bars are not typically covered as individual items, but grab bars installed as part of home modifications may be covered under certain circumstances — this varies and requires specific documentation.

The process for all of these is the same: doctor's order, Medicare-enrolled supplier, and Medicare review. If you need multiple items, your doctor can write one order listing all of them, and the supplier can submit them together.

What to do if Medicare denies your claim

If Medicare denies coverage for a shower chair, the supplier will send you a notice explaining the reason. Common reasons include: the doctor's order didn't include enough detail about your medical condition, the supplier wasn't enrolled with Medicare, or Medicare determined the item wasn't medically necessary based on your diagnosis.

You have the right to appeal. The notice will explain how to file an appeal and the important date — usually 120 days from the date of the denial. You can ask your doctor to provide more detailed documentation of your condition, or you can submit additional medical records that support the need for the chair.

If the appeal process feels overwhelming, you can contact your State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP), which offers free counseling about Medicare coverage decisions. Find your local SHIP by calling 1-877-839-2675 or visiting shiptacenter.org.

Alternatives if Medicare doesn't cover your shower chair

If your doctor hasn't prescribed one or Medicare denies your claim, you have several options. The simplest is to buy a shower chair out of pocket. Basic models are affordable and available at most drugstores, medical supply stores, and online retailers like Amazon or Walmart.

Some Medicaid programs cover shower chairs for beneficiaries who may have access to, so if you're on both Medicare and Medicaid, check with your state Medicaid office. Veterans may have coverage through the VA if they're enrolled in VA health care. Some supplemental insurance plans (Medigap) don't cover durable medical equipment, but it's worth checking your policy.

If cost is a barrier, local Area Agencies on Aging sometimes have equipment loan programs or can connect you with community resources. Call your local AAA or search for one at eldercare.acl.gov. Some nonprofits focused on specific conditions — arthritis foundations, stroke associations — also maintain equipment lending libraries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a shower chair myself and ask Medicare to reimburse me?

No. Medicare only pays suppliers who are enrolled with the program. If you buy a shower chair on your own, even with a doctor's prescription, Medicare won't reimburse you. You must use a Medicare-enrolled supplier for Medicare to pay any part of the cost.

Do I need a prescription from my primary care doctor, or can any doctor write one?

Any doctor can write the order — your primary care doctor, a specialist, a physical therapist, or an occupational therapist. The person writing the order must be licensed to do so in your state and must have examined you or reviewed your medical record. The order must include your diagnosis and explain why the shower chair is medically necessary.

What if my doctor says I need a shower chair but won't write a prescription?

Some doctors are unfamiliar with the Medicare process for durable medical equipment, or they may not think of it as their role. You can ask your doctor directly: "Would you be willing to write an order for a shower chair for my medical condition?" If they decline, you can seek a second opinion from another doctor, such as a rheumatologist (for arthritis) or a neurologist (for balance problems).

Will Medicare pay for a fancy shower chair with special features?

Medicare pays for equipment that is medically necessary, not for upgrades or luxury features. A basic shower chair with a seat and legs is typically approved. Specialized features — such as a commode function, extra-wide seat, or padded armrests — may be approved if your doctor documents that you need them for your specific condition, but Medicare will only pay the approved amount for standard equipment. You'd pay out of pocket for any upgrades beyond that.

How long does a shower chair last, and will Medicare pay for a replacement?

A typical plastic shower chair lasts three to five years with regular use. Medicare will pay for a replacement only if your original chair is no longer functional and your doctor still prescribes one. You'll need a new order from your doctor and will go through the same process with a Medicare-enrolled supplier.