If you're making improvements to your home to make it safer and easier to navigate, you may be wondering if Medicare or another source covers the cost of installing a stair glide lift. The answer is that even though the changes you're making can help to prevent future injuries and save Medicare the cost of medical expenses in the future, Medicare doesn't cover this type of home improvement.
Medicare classifies improvements such as stair lifts or elevators for people who can no longer climb stairs as convenience features rather than items that are medically necessary. So, while walkers, hospital beds, and patient lifts are covered if they meet the required criteria, including being doctor prescribed, stair lifts are not. Patient lifts are entirely different devices from stair lifts; they help caregivers transfer patients with limited mobility from one place to another, such as from the bed to a chair.
However, don't despair--there are other avenues that can help you fund a stair chair lift.
Other possible options for funding a stair lift
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does provide some coverage to veterans for the cost of a stair lift. They have three different grants that can be used for making home modifications to aid mobility.
Home improvements that can be covered with the use of VA grants include the installation of wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, and elevators. Most of these grants are only given if you need the modifications due to a service-related disability. To find out if you qualify, contact Veterans Affairs Benefits and Services.
Consider contacting your local Area Agency on Aging to find out more about the options available to you. These agencies aren't just for senior citizens; they strive to help people of all ages and incomes to obtain long-term support and services in the most desirable and appropriate setting for each individual.
It's even possible that your Area Agency on Aging could provide funds to help you get a stair lift thanks to the Older Americans Act. Additionally, the Department of Housing and Urban Development sometimes offers grants for safety modifications to the home.
The Twilight Wish Foundation grants wishes to adults 68 and older who haven't been able to make their own wishes come true due to a lack of resources. The types of wishes they've granted have ranged from whimsical to practical, and they have provided stair lifts to seniors in need.
For any of the options above, there may be waiting lists and specific criteria you'll need to meet, but it's worth investigating all the options that are available for keeping your home safe and comfortable. Talk with a professional, like All-Star Lifts, for more information.
Share26 April 2016
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