Medicare has specific rules about what types of equipment and supplies they will cover, and a good rule of thumb is whether it is considered “durable medical equipment”.
So what is durable medical equipment?
It is something that is prescribed by a doctor, and is medically necessary for use in your home. Looking further, Medicare also requires that the medical equipment prescribed cannot be used by someone who is not medically sick or injured.
Looking at the definition above, it is safe to say that a walk in shower would not meet these requirements. Even if a doctor did “prescribe” it, it is the type of equipment that would not be specific to one person.
Think of hospital beds. This type of equipment is covered under Medicare when prescribed by a doctor because a hospital bed would only be used by the patient.
Can You Receive Reimbursement from Medicare for a Walk In Bathtub
There is not a “yes or no” answer to this question. You should be prepared to cover the cost of the walk in shower including installation at the onset of the project. If you can get a doctor to “prescribe” the shower as medically necessary, get this in writing before you move forward with the purchase.
How Do I Apply For Reimbursement?
Once you have the prescription and the invoice that you have paid for it, submit it to Medicare for reimbursement. Sometimes they will reimburse a portion of the cost, but not always. It is worth the envelope and postage, even if they decline your reimbursement.
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