Medicare covers the motorized lift mechanism of a lift chair or seat-lift chair.If you qualify. You would be liable for any copays or deductibles, as well as the added cost of the lift chair’s furniture.

People who need help getting in and out of their chair daily due to life changes such as aging, arthritis, or a recent mobility-limiting surgery, often consider buying a lift chair. However, lift chairs can cost hundreds – or even thousands of dollars, leaving many Medicare beneficiaries wonderingif their Medicare health insurance coverage will help pay any of the lift chair’s costs. While Medicare typically won’t pay for a lift chair in full, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) or Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) may cover the seat-lift mechanism as durable medical equipment (DME) if your doctor determines that it’s medically necessary and will help your condition. Read on to learn more about Medicare coverage of lift chairs.

How do I qualify for a lift chair?
Will Medicare pay for a lift chair?The seat lift mechanism for a lift chair may be covered by Medicare if the following criteria are met:

Medicare coverage: You must have Medicare Part B(Medical Insurance) or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). If you get your Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage Plan, talk to your private insurance provider about coverage rules, costs, and suppliers to use when getting a lift chair.

Certificate of medical necessity: You must schedule an appointment with your physician to obtain a prescription for the lift chair that determines medical necessity and have sections B and D completed on a “Certificate of Medical Necessity for Seat Lift Mechanisms form,” also called “Medicare form CMS-849.”

Determining medical necessity: A lift chair’s seat lift mechanism may be considered medically necessary if the following requirements are met:

The patient has severe arthritis of the hip or knee, or a severe neuromuscular disease
The patient is completely incapable of standing up from a regular chair
When standing, the patient can walk independently or with the aid of a walker or cane; transferring directly to a wheelchair can prevent Medicare from paying for the device
The seat lift mechanism is part of the physician’s course of treatment to effect improvement or slow deterioration in the patient’s condition
Medicare-participating suppliers: You must order your lift chair from a Medicare-participating supplier that accepts assignment, otherwise Medicare will not pay for it.