Medicare covers shower chairs as durable medical equipment if your doctor prescribes one and you meet specific conditions

Medicare Part B covers shower chairs, grab bars, and other bathroom safety equipment, but only when a doctor writes an order saying you need one for a medical reason. The chair must be prescribed as durable medical equipment (DME) — something that can withstand repeated use and serves a medical purpose. A shower chair you buy on your own at a drugstore will not be covered, even if it is the exact same product. The prescription and the medical reason are what make the difference.

You will pay 20 percent of the approved amount after you have met your Part B deductible for the year. Medicare pays the other 80 percent. The actual out-of-pocket cost depends on which DME supplier you use and what Medicare's approved amount is in your area — these vary by location.

Key Takeaways

  • Your doctor must write an order for a shower chair as durable medical equipment, not just suggest you get one.
  • Medicare covers the chair only if you have a medical reason — such as arthritis, balance problems, or recovery from surgery — that makes it unsafe for you to stand in the shower.
  • You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting your Part B deductible; Medicare pays 80 percent.
  • You must use a Medicare-approved DME supplier, and the supplier will file the claim on your behalf.
  • The approval process usually takes one to two weeks, though some suppliers can tell you the same day whether Medicare will cover it.

What counts as a medical reason for a shower chair

Medicare does not cover a shower chair just because you want one or think it would be safer. A doctor has to document that you have a condition that makes standing in the shower unsafe or impossible. Common reasons Medicare approves shower chairs include arthritis that limits your ability to stand, balance problems or dizziness, recent surgery or injury that affects your mobility, weakness from illness or treatment, and neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease or stroke recovery.

The doctor's order must say why you need the chair — not just "patient needs shower chair" but something like "patient has severe arthritis in knees and hips, cannot stand safely for more than two minutes." The more specific the reason, the faster the approval usually goes. If you have a condition you think qualifies, talk to your doctor at your next visit or call the office and ask whether they think a shower chair would be medically necessary for you.

How to get your doctor to write the prescription

Start by telling your doctor you are having trouble standing safely in the shower. Describe what happens — do you lose your balance, feel dizzy, have pain that makes it hard to stand, or worry you might fall. Your doctor will decide whether a shower chair is medically necessary based on your condition and what they observe during your visit.

If your doctor agrees, they will send the prescription directly to a Medicare-approved DME supplier. You do not need to pick up a paper prescription and deliver it yourself. The supplier will contact you to confirm your address, insurance information, and which type of chair you need. If your doctor is unsure whether to prescribe one, you can ask them to consider it — you are not asking for something unreasonable, and many doctors prescribe shower chairs regularly for patients with mobility problems.

Choosing a Medicare-approved DME supplier

Not every medical supply store is a Medicare-approved DME supplier. You can search for approved suppliers in your area on the Medicare DME Supplier Locator at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website. Type in your ZIP code and it will show you which suppliers Medicare recognizes in your region.

You can use any approved supplier you choose — Medicare does not assign you to one. Some suppliers are large national chains, others are local. Call a few and ask what shower chairs they have in stock, whether they can deliver, and how long approval usually takes. Many suppliers can tell you the same day whether Medicare will cover the chair once they have your doctor's prescription. The supplier files the claim with Medicare, so you do not have to do the paperwork yourself.

What happens after you order

Once the supplier receives your doctor's prescription, they submit it to Medicare for review. This usually takes one to two weeks. Medicare checks that your doctor is licensed, that the prescription includes a medical reason, and that the item is on the list of covered DME. If everything is in order, Medicare sends approval to the supplier.

The supplier then delivers the chair to your home and bills Medicare directly. You will receive a bill from the supplier for your 20 percent share after the Part B deductible. Keep the receipt and any paperwork the supplier gives you — you may need it for your taxes or if you have questions about the charge later.

Types of shower chairs Medicare covers

Medicare covers basic shower chairs — seats that sit inside the tub or on the shower floor, with or without a backrest. It also covers grab bars, shower benches, and transfer benches (the kind that sit partly inside and partly outside the tub). The specific model matters less than whether it serves the medical purpose your doctor prescribed.

Some suppliers will show you options and ask which one you prefer. If you have a strong preference for a particular brand or style, tell the supplier — they may be able to order it, though the cost could be higher if it is not the standard model Medicare covers. The supplier can explain what the difference in cost would be and whether you would have to pay extra out of pocket.

What is not covered

Shower chairs you buy yourself without a doctor's prescription are not covered, even if you later get a prescription. Decorative or luxury shower chairs are not covered. Grab bars that are permanently installed as part of home modification may fall under a different coverage category or may not be covered at all — ask your supplier about this, because the rules are different from portable shower chairs.

If you rent rather than own your home, check your lease before having grab bars installed. Some landlords require written permission. A portable shower chair does not have this problem, which is one reason many renters prefer them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my doctor says I do not need a shower chair but I think I do?

Medicare will not cover it without a doctor's prescription. If you are worried about falling or struggling in the shower, ask your doctor specifically about safety concerns. Sometimes a doctor needs to hear the details before they understand how much you are struggling. If your regular doctor is not responsive, you can ask for a referral to a physical therapist, who can assess your safety and make a recommendation to your doctor.

Do I have to use the shower chair forever, or can I return it?

Once Medicare covers a shower chair, it is yours to keep. You do not have to return it. If your condition improves and you no longer need it, you can donate it or discard it. Medicare does not ask for it back or charge you a restocking fee.

Will Medicare cover a second shower chair if the first one breaks?

Medicare covers replacement of durable medical equipment if it wears out or breaks after normal use. Your doctor would need to write a new prescription, and you would go through the approval process again. This usually takes longer the second time because Medicare has already approved one for you, so the process is faster.

What if I have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare?

Original Medicare Part B covers shower chairs as described here. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, coverage rules may be different — some Advantage plans cover DME the same way, others have different requirements or limits. Call your plan's customer service number to ask whether shower chairs are covered and what you need to do to get one.

Can I get a shower chair covered if I am in a nursing home or assisted living?

Medicare rules are different for people living in facilities. The facility is usually responsible for providing basic safety equipment. Ask the facility's social worker or nurse whether they can provide a shower chair, and whether Medicare would cover one if the facility does not have one that fits your needs.