A lift chair may be a short-term need to help you get in and out of a chair after knee surgery. Or it could allow you to stay in your home longer if you have muscle weakness from a chronic condition like Parkinson’s disease. Either way, declining mobility as you age is a challenge that a lift chair may ease.
Lift chairs can be costly – ranging from about $500 to more than $3,000 – but the good news is that Medicare Part B will help pay part of that expense. Read on to find out Medicare’s requirements for these products and how much of the cost it covers.
Does Medicare pay for a lift chair?
Medicare Part B pays for the lifting mechanism of these chairs, but not the chair itself. The lifting mechanism is considered durable medical equipment (DME) under Medicare rules. Part B pays 80% of the approved amount after you’ve paid your Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). You then pay your 20% coinsurance. If your deductible is already met, the Medicare Part B payment is typically between $250 to $300 for the lifting mechanism.
Ensuring Medicare pays for part of your lift chair
Lift chairs can sometimes be confused with other products including stair lifts (chairs that take you up and down stairs) and a patient lift (a device that helps a caregiver move you from one spot to another).
A lift chair is neither of these. It looks like a recliner and usually has a button that adjusts your position so you can recline. But lift chairs also have a mechanism that takes you to a standing position, which makes it easier to get in and out of the chair.
Because this is used for people with health conditions that make it difficult to sit or stand easily, a lift chair is considered DME under Medicare guidelines. To be classified as DME under Medicare, the equipment has to:
- Be durable enough to be used repeatedly,
- Assist you with a medical condition,
- Be used in your home,
- Last at least three years.
Some types of DME include oxygen tanks, blood glucose monitors, and wheelchairs. Medicare covers both rentals and purchases of DME, depending on what kind of equipment you need and how long you’ll use it.
It’s important to make sure when purchasing a lift chair that the vendor accepts Medicare assignment. This is the only way Medicare will pay for the lift component. If the supplier is enrolled in Medicare, it means they accept the Medicare-approved price for the lift component.
To find Medicare-approved suppliers:
- Go to Medicare.gov,
- Enter your zip code,
- Choose the seat lift mechanisms category,
- Find ones with an “M” meaning they accept Medicare assignment.
You will need a Certificate of Medical Necessity, but the supplier must not fill this out for you. The information needs to come from your doctor and include their handwritten signature.
To ensure Medicare Part B pays for your lift chair you’ll need to:
- Talk to your doctor and have them document in your health records the need for a lift chair.
- Have your doctor write a prescription for the chair and fill out a Certificate of Medical Necessity – the form must be signed by your doctor.
- Buy the chair from a Medicare-approved vendor (verify that they accept Medicare assignment following the steps above), or Medicare won’t cover the cost.
- Submit the claim (which your supplier may do for you) and buy your chair.
Note: There are several types of these chairs on the market. You may find ones called power lift chairs from popular manufacturers like La-Z-Boy or Ashley. Just remember, you can’t purchase the chair directly through one of these retailers, because they are not durable medical equipment suppliers through Medicare. You’ll need to buy the chair directly through a Medicare-enrolled supplier.
Medical requirements for lift chair coverage
There are several possible criteria Medicare verifies to prove the lift chair is medically necessary. They include:
- Having severe arthritis of the hip or knee, or a neuromuscular disease that makes you incapable of getting up out of a regular chair.
- Being able to walk by yourself or with the use of a cane or walker after you’ve gotten up from the chair (if you need to get directly into a wheelchair, Medicare may not pay for the lift chair).
- The lift chair being part of your doctor’s treatment plan to help improve your condition or slow its deterioration.
Medicare Advantage coverage of lift chairs
Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover the same care and equipment as Medicare Part B. Check with your carrier before purchasing a chair to see if there is any extra paperwork, out-of-pocket expenses, or if you’ll need prior authorization.
When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan through SmartMatch, our Customer Success team can help you find a DME provider and file a claim to Medicare.
