Medicare covers walk-in showers only when a doctor prescribes them as medical equipment, not as home improvements
Medicare Part B covers a walk-in shower or shower chair if your doctor writes an order saying you need it for a medical reason — such as difficulty standing, balance problems, or recovery from surgery. The shower itself must be ordered through a supplier that Medicare recognizes, and you typically pay 20 percent of the approved cost after you meet your Part B deductible. If a contractor straightforward installs a walk-in tub or shower in your home without a doctor's prescription, Medicare will not pay for any part of it.
The difference between what Medicare covers and what it does not comes down to one thing: medical necessity. A walk-in shower installed for convenience or aging-in-place planning is a home modification that you pay for yourself. A walk-in shower prescribed by your doctor to treat a specific medical condition or help you recover from one is durable medical equipment, and Medicare may share the cost.
Key Takeaways
- Your doctor must write an order for a walk-in shower or shower chair, stating the medical reason you need it, before Medicare will consider paying.
- You order the equipment through a Medicare-approved supplier, not a general contractor, and you pay 20 percent of the approved cost after your Part B deductible.
- Permanent bathroom renovations — such as removing a bathtub and installing a walk-in shower — are home modifications that Medicare does not cover under any circumstance.
- If you rent your home, you may need your landlord's permission in writing before a supplier can install equipment, and some landlords will not allow permanent changes.
How to get a doctor's order for shower equipment
Start by talking to your primary care doctor or the specialist treating your condition — for example, a physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon, or neurologist. Describe the specific difficulty you have: trouble stepping over the edge of a tub, fear of falling, pain when standing in the shower, or balance problems. The doctor needs to understand not just that you are older, but why this particular piece of equipment would help you manage your medical condition or recover from an injury or surgery.
If your doctor agrees, they will write an order (sometimes called a prescription) that includes the type of equipment, the medical reason for it, and your doctor's signature and credentials. You do not need to ask for anything fancy — the order can be straightforward and brief. Bring this order to a Medicare-approved durable medical equipment supplier in your area. You can find suppliers by calling your local hospital discharge planning department, asking your doctor's office for a referral, or searching the Medicare supplier directory at dmepos.cms.gov.
What Medicare actually pays for versus what it does not
Medicare Part B covers portable shower chairs, grab bars, and shower benches when prescribed by a doctor. These are items you can move or remove. Medicare also covers a prefabricated walk-in tub or shower unit if it is ordered as durable medical equipment through an approved supplier — meaning a self-contained unit that can be installed and, in theory, removed.
Medicare does not cover the cost of construction, installation labor, plumbing work, or permanent modifications to your bathroom. If you need a walk-in shower built into your existing bathroom — which means removing your current tub, rerouting plumbing, and building new walls or curbs — that is a home renovation. You pay for the entire project yourself. The same rule applies to grab bars installed by a contractor; if your doctor prescribes grab bars and you order them through a Medicare supplier, Medicare may cover the bars themselves, but not the labor to install them.
Some people confuse Medicare coverage with Medicaid coverage. Medicaid (the joint federal-state program for people with low income) sometimes covers home modifications in certain states, but Medicare never does. Check your state's Medicaid rules separately if you think you might be may be able to access.
Your out-of-pocket costs
If Medicare approves a shower chair or prefabricated walk-in unit, you will pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after you have met your Part B deductible for the year. The approved amount varies by region and by supplier. For example, a shower chair might have an approved cost of $200 to $400, meaning you would pay $40 to $80 out of pocket. A prefabricated walk-in tub can have an approved cost of $3,000 to $5,000 or more, which would mean you pay $600 to $1,000 or more.
Before you order, ask the supplier what the Medicare-approved amount is for the specific item your doctor prescribed. Some suppliers will also tell you whether they accept Medicare assignment, which means they agree to accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment (except for your 20 percent share). Suppliers who do not accept assignment can bill you for the difference between what they charge and what Medicare approves, so this is worth asking about upfront.
Renting versus owning your home
If you rent, you will need written permission from your landlord before a supplier can install any equipment in your bathroom. Many landlords will not allow permanent changes, such as grab bar installation or removal of a bathtub. Some will allow temporary equipment like a shower chair or a portable grab bar that does not require drilling into walls.
Talk to your landlord before you get a doctor's order. Explain what equipment your doctor is recommending and ask whether they will allow it to be installed. If they refuse, you may still be able to use a portable shower chair or other equipment that does not require installation. If you are in subsidized housing or public housing, contact your housing authority's maintenance office to ask about their policy on medical equipment — many have formal processes for this.
When Medicare Advantage plans cover shower equipment differently
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) instead of Original Medicare, your coverage for shower equipment may be different. Some Advantage plans cover the same items as Original Medicare, while others cover additional items or have different cost-sharing rules. A few Advantage plans in certain states also cover some home modifications, though this is rare.
Call your Advantage plan's customer service number (on the back of your card) and ask specifically whether they cover shower chairs, grab bars, or walk-in tubs when prescribed by a doctor. Ask what your out-of-pocket cost would be and whether you need prior approval before ordering. Do not assume your Advantage plan works the same way as Original Medicare.
Alternatives if Medicare does not cover what you need
If your doctor does not think shower equipment is medically necessary, or if you need a permanent bathroom renovation that Medicare will not cover, you have other options. Some state Medicaid programs cover home modifications for people who are may be able to access. Veterans may be able to get help through the VA's Aid and Attendance benefit or the Specially Adapted Housing grant. Some nonprofits and aging agencies offer small grants or low-interest loans for home safety modifications — ask your local Area Agency on Aging whether programs exist in your region.
You can also pay out of pocket, sometimes with help from family or through a home equity loan or line of credit if you own your home. Some contractors offer financing plans. Get quotes from at least two contractors before you decide, and check their references and licensing with your state's licensing board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my doctor order a walk-in shower if I have not had surgery or a recent injury?
Yes. Your doctor can prescribe shower equipment if you have a chronic condition that makes standing or stepping difficult — such as arthritis, Parkinson's disease, balance disorder, or severe back pain. The medical reason does not have to be recent; it has to be real and documented in your medical record. Your doctor will need to explain in the order why this equipment helps you manage your condition.
What if my doctor says I do not need it, but I want it anyway?
You can pay for it yourself. Many people buy shower chairs, grab bars, and other bathroom safety equipment without involving Medicare. Prices range widely — a basic shower chair costs $50 to $150, and grab bars cost $20 to $100 each. If you are paying out of pocket, you can order from any retailer, not just Medicare suppliers.
Does Medicare cover the cost of removing my old bathtub?
No. Removal, demolition, plumbing work, and construction are all home modifications, which Medicare does not cover. You pay for the entire renovation project yourself, including labor and materials.
If I have a walk-in shower installed, will Medicare pay me back later?
No. Medicare does not reimburse you for home modifications after the fact. The equipment must be ordered through a Medicare supplier with a doctor's order before you pay anything, so Medicare can process it correctly and you know your cost in advance.
What if I live in a nursing home or assisted living facility?
The facility is responsible for providing safe bathrooms and equipment for residents. If you need a shower chair or grab bars, ask the facility's nursing staff or social worker to provide them. Medicare does not pay residents or families for equipment in these settings — the facility's Medicare or Medicaid payment includes the cost of basic safety equipment.