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 home improvements including walk in tubs. 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.