Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment that is primarily medical, and it classifies walk in tubs as a convenience item, so a Medicare claim for a tub is denied. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise, including a salesperson who "handles the Medicare paperwork." What does exist is a patchwork of programs that reimburse part or all of a bathroom safety modification for the right person. We have helped clients use every one below.
Programs that do help
- Medicare Advantage (Part C): some plans include a home safety or bathroom modification benefit of $500 to a few thousand dollars. Call the number on your card and ask for "supplemental home modification benefits."
- Medicaid HCBS waivers: every state runs home and community based services waivers that can fund bathroom modifications that keep someone out of a nursing home. Eligibility is income and need based; your Area Agency on Aging can start the application.
- VA HISA grant: veterans with a service-connected condition can receive up to $6,800, and non-service-connected veterans up to $2,000, for medically needed bathroom changes such as roll in showers and soaking walk in tubs (HISA does not pay for jets or other spa features). We prepare the quote and drawings the VA requires. HISA details.
- VA SAH and SHA grants for severely disabled veterans cover far larger sums.
- State and local programs: many states, counties and utilities run aging-in-place grants or low-interest loans; we keep a list by state and will point you to yours.
- Medical expense tax deduction: with a doctor's letter, a walk in tub installed for a medical condition can be deductible as a capital improvement to the extent it does not increase home value. Ask your tax preparer.
- Long-term care insurance policies sometimes reimburse home modifications; check the rider.
What we do for you
We write the quote in the format each program needs, supply the drawings and product specifications, and include a letter describing the medical need when your doctor provides one. We do not charge for this, and we never inflate a quote to match a grant.