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Lift Chairs and Medicare

A Lift chair is a type of recliner that has a motorized lifting base. When the chair is fully raised, the chairs occupant can easily come to a standing position. They also allows an individual to sit in a safe and controlled manner.

Will My Lift Chair Be Covered By Medicare?

Medicare currently only partially covers the cost of a lift chair. Medicare will typically only provide reimbursement for the lifting mechanism in the chair and not the chair itself. Usually this is around $300.

The lift mechanism is what actually lifts the chair into the air. In order for it to be covered, it must allow the chair to be operated in a smooth and steady fashion.

Some older lift chairs had used a kind of spring catapult to raise the chair, but this type of chair proved to be extremely dangerous and is not covered by Medicare.

Requirements for Reimbursement

  • The Insured must suffer from arthritis or some other type ambulatory disorder that makes them unable to stand on their own. This is not limited only to certain chairs, but must be true of all chairs in the insured’s home.

  • The Insured must be able to use and operate the lift chair independently and once upright they must be able to stand and walk without assistance.

  • A Doctor’s Prescription is necessary to receive Medicare reimbursement for any type of durable medical equipment. The lift chair must be part of a prescribed treatment to ensure that the patients condition does not get worse.

  • A Certificate of Medical Necessity is simply a more detailed prescription that must be filled out by a physician and required to receive coverage for a lift chair.

Process for the Insured

If the insured meets all of the above requirments, they will be able to receive partial reimbursement for the lift chair. Most people choose to purchase the chair and then apply for reimbursement after the purchase.

You will need to have proof of purchase for the chair, which will be provided from the dealer. Most dealers can also provide a Certificate of Medical Necessity for your doctor to fill out and sign.