Does Medicare cover shower chairs? In general, Original Medicare does not cover a standard shower chair purchased for everyday bathroom safety. Medicare Part B covers certain medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME), but not every item that makes bathing safer qualifies for coverage.
Your options may differ if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, which may offer additional benefits. Before buying a shower chair, check your specific plan, ask about eligible bathroom safety equipment, and confirm any approval or supplier requirements.
Are Shower Chairs Covered by Medicare?
For most people with Original Medicare, a standard shower chair is an out-of-pocket purchase. Although Medicare Part B covers certain durable medical equipment, the item must meet Medicare’s coverage requirements. A product being useful for an older adult or recommended for safer bathing does not automatically make it a covered benefit.
Medicare’s official Durable Medical Equipment Coverage page describes the types of equipment Part B may cover, eligibility requirements, and supplier rules. Shower chairs are not listed among the examples of covered DME on that page.
This is different from equipment such as certain walkers, wheelchairs, and commode chairs, which Medicare specifically identifies as potentially covered when eligibility requirements are met. For example, see the official Medicare coverage page for commode chairs.
Important distinction: A shower chair and a commode chair are not interchangeable terms for coverage purposes. Do not assume a shower chair qualifies simply because Medicare covers certain commode chairs or other medical equipment.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
The type of Medicare coverage you have matters. Check which of these situations applies to you before deciding how to pay for a shower chair.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare includes Part A and Part B. Part B covers certain medically necessary DME, but a standard shower chair is generally not covered as a standalone bathroom safety purchase.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans must provide the Medicare-covered benefits available under Original Medicare, and some plans offer additional benefits. Whether a shower chair is included depends on the specific plan’s benefits and conditions.
Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer supplemental benefits related to bathroom safety or home modifications. These benefits are not universal, and the availability of a bathroom safety benefit does not necessarily mean every shower chair is eligible.
Check the plan’s current Evidence of Coverage, Summary of Benefits, or supplemental benefit documents. Ask the plan directly whether a shower chair is covered, what allowance or limits apply, and whether you must use a designated vendor.
Does Medicare Part B Pay for Shower Chairs?
Medicare Part B covers certain DME when the item meets the program’s criteria. In general, covered DME must be durable, used for a medical reason, generally useful to someone who is sick or injured, intended for use in the home, and expected to last at least three years. Other item-specific rules also apply.
A standard shower chair used mainly to make bathing more comfortable or reduce the risk of slipping generally does not qualify as covered DME under Original Medicare. A healthcare professional’s recommendation alone does not guarantee payment.
For a different item that does qualify as covered DME, Medicare Part B generally pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible, and the beneficiary typically pays 20% of that amount when the supplier accepts assignment. That cost-sharing rule does not mean Medicare will pay for a shower chair.
For the current rules, see Medicare’s official DME coverage guidance.
How to Check Your Medicare Advantage Benefits
If you have Medicare Advantage, follow these steps before purchasing a chair.
Step 1
Review Your Plan
Find the current Summary of Benefits and Evidence of Coverage for your exact plan and coverage year.
Step 2
Ask About Shower Chairs
Ask whether a shower chair is an eligible item under any supplemental bathroom safety or home support benefit.
Step 3
Confirm Restrictions
Check benefit limits, eligible products, medical documentation, prior authorization, and vendor requirements.
Step 4
Get the Details in Writing
Confirm how to obtain the item, what you may owe, and whether reimbursement is allowed before ordering.
Questions to Ask Your Plan
- Does my specific plan cover a shower chair?
- Is the item covered through a supplemental benefit or another program?
- Is there a spending allowance, reimbursement limit, or approved product list?
- Do I need a clinician’s order or documentation of medical need?
- Must I use a designated vendor or order through a plan benefit portal?
- Is prior authorization required?
- Can I buy a chair myself and submit a claim, or must the plan arrange the purchase?
- If the request is denied, how can I get the reason and review any available appeal rights?
What If Medicare Does Not Cover Your Shower Chair?
If your coverage does not include the chair, you may need to pay out of pocket or explore other sources of assistance. Consider these options.
1. Check Medicaid if You Qualify
Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid coverage depends on the state program, eligibility, and applicable benefit rules. Having both programs does not guarantee payment for a shower chair.
Read our guide to whether Medicaid covers shower chairs and contact your state Medicaid agency or managed care plan to confirm the current rules.
2. Ask About Local Equipment Assistance
Your local Area Agency on Aging, independent living center, or community disability organization may know about equipment loan programs, assistive technology services, or local financial assistance. Availability and eligibility vary by location.
3. Compare Chairs Carefully if Paying Yourself
If you need to purchase a chair yourself, focus on fit and stability rather than appearance alone. Compare the seat height, seat width, back support, armrests, rated weight capacity, and the available shower floor space.
Compare Shower Chair Options
These product searches can help you compare designs and current listings. Retail availability does not indicate Medicare eligibility or guarantee reimbursement.
Compare Adjustable Shower Chairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare pay for shower chairs for elderly adults?
Original Medicare generally does not pay for a standard shower chair purchased for everyday bathroom safety. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits, but coverage depends on the specific plan and its rules.
Will a doctor’s prescription make Medicare cover a shower chair?
Not by itself. A clinician’s recommendation or prescription does not automatically make an item a covered Medicare benefit. The item must meet the applicable coverage rules, and the plan must confirm eligibility.
Does Medicare cover shower chairs with arms or backs?
The presence of armrests, a backrest, or a higher weight capacity does not by itself establish coverage under Original Medicare. If you have Medicare Advantage, ask whether the exact item is eligible under your plan’s supplemental benefits.
Can Medicare Advantage pay for bathroom safety equipment?
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental benefits beyond Original Medicare. Benefits and restrictions vary, so check your current plan documents and ask specifically about shower chairs rather than assuming all bathroom safety products are covered.
What is the difference between a shower chair and a commode chair?
A shower chair is designed for seated bathing, while a commode chair is designed to support toileting needs. Product functions and coverage classifications may differ. Medicare’s coverage for certain commode chairs does not mean that a standard shower chair is covered.
What should I do if my plan denies coverage?
Ask for the reason in writing and check your plan’s appeal or review procedures, including any deadline. If you have Original Medicare, confirm whether the item is a covered benefit before pursuing a claim. For Medicare Advantage, follow the plan’s instructions for coverage decisions and appeals.
Final Takeaway
For most people, Original Medicare does not cover a standard shower chair as a standalone bathroom safety item. Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits, but coverage is specific to the plan and cannot be assumed.
Before purchasing, confirm the benefit with your insurer, ask about eligible products and suppliers, and get clear information about any out-of-pocket costs. If you need to pay yourself, choose a chair based on the user’s support needs, the manufacturer’s weight rating, and the dimensions of your shower.
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