Does Medicare Cover Bathroom Remodeling

When it comes to aging in place or dealing with disabilities, the bathroom is one of the most common places where accidents can happen. You might be wondering Does Medicare cover bathroom remodeling to help make your bathroom safer and more accessible Well let’s dive in and find out.

Understanding Medicare Coverage

Medicare covers a wide range of medical services and equipment but when it comes to bathroom remodeling things get a bit tricky Medicare Part B which covers durable medical equipment (DME) does provide coverage for certain items like commode chairs grab bars and shower chairs However it does not directly cover bathroom remodeling or renovations

Henry Beltran owner of Medicare Advisors Insurance Group LLC says “Medicare is fantastic for a lot of things but unfortunately when it comes to getting your bathroom remodeled it falls a bit short”

What Medicare May Cover

While Medicare doesn’t cover full bathroom remodeling it may help with certain aspects if they are considered medically necessary For example

• Grab Bars Medicare may cover the installation of grab bars if they are deemed medically necessary by your doctor
• Commode Chairs Medicare Part B can cover commode chairs which can be helpful if getting to the bathroom is difficult
• Shower Chairs If you’re at risk of falling while bathing Medicare might cover a shower chair

Potential Drawbacks with a Twist

While Medicare might cover some small items the major renovations are usually not covered Here’s where the drawbacks come in with a little humor

• Costly Out of Pocket Remodeling a bathroom can cost a small fortune You might end up spending more on your bathroom than on your entire house and Medicare won’t foot the bill
• Red Tape You’ll need to navigate the bureaucratic maze to prove that items like grab bars are medically necessary It’s almost like you need a doctorate in paperwork
• Limited Coverage Even if you do get something covered don’t expect Medicare to give you a spa-like experience You might get a grab bar but the jacuzzi tub is on you

Exploring Alternative Options

Since Medicare won’t cover full bathroom remodeling you might need to explore other options

Medicaid Waivers In some states Medicaid offers waivers that may cover home modifications including bathroom remodeling This is more common for those who meet specific income and health criteria

Veterans Benefits If you’re a veteran you might qualify for home modification grants through the VA which can be used for bathroom remodeling

Nonprofit Organizations Some nonprofits provide assistance with home modifications for seniors and people with disabilities It’s worth checking with local organizations to see if you qualify

What You Can Do

So what can you do if you need to remodel your bathroom and Medicare won’t cover it

• Get a Doctor’s Note If you’re going to try and get Medicare to cover any part of the remodeling make sure you have a note from your doctor stating that it’s medically necessary
• Plan Ahead If you’re planning on aging in place start thinking about bathroom modifications early so you can budget accordingly
• Look for Grants There are grants and assistance programs out there but you’ll need to do some research to find them

Henry Beltran adds “It’s important to explore all your options and not rely solely on Medicare for these types of expenses Remember there are other resources out there that can help”

Conclusion

While Medicare is an excellent program for covering many healthcare needs it falls short when it comes to covering bathroom remodeling However with some creativity and research you can find other ways to get the help you need in making your bathroom safe and accessible

For more details about what Medicare covers you can visit Medicare Advisors Insurance Group LLC at this link Does Medicare Cover Bathroom Remodeling

References

• Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
• VA Home Modification Grants
• Medicaid Waivers for Home Modifications