Walk-in tubs are solid with most of them catering to budgets. Read to find out whether the medicare pays for walk-in tub for seniors or not.
For many elderly people, walk-in-tubs are an important versatile aid that makes their bath time simpler and safer. Naturally, everyone wants to find the best walk-in-tubs for seniors.
However, this task can be challenging. Many seniors tend to lose their balance in a traditional bathtub. Experiencing slips and falls can lead seniors to serious complexities, likely for those who are already going through balance issues.
According to the research, one-third of elderly people of 65 years old or above fall each year, and half of the fall cases are occurring repeatedly.
Does Medicare cover walk-in tubs?
To avoid falling while you climb in and out of the bathtub, considering a walk-in tub is the best decision.
But the question here is, “does medicare pay for a walk-in tub for seniors?” Unfortunately, these tubs are not considered as durable medical equipment by the original medicare for most seniors.
They do not pay for the cost of a walk-in-tub. Also, they don’t contribute to the cost of it. Just like wheelchairs, blood monitors, nebulizers, a walk-in-tub can be used by any person.
However, Medicare insurance can sometimes reimburse for the purchase and install procedure for the walk-in-showers still there is no guarantee that this might be successful.
People wonder why a hospital bed is covered by Medicare, but not walk-in-tubs? Well, anyone can sleep in hospital beds, however, walk-in-tubs for seniors are particularly purchased because they need assistance with mobility issues.
Let’s say, there may be a unique situation in which the original medicare does provide some financial assistance. Then the person who derives advantage would need a medical analysis that proves his or her needs including written prescriptions regarding specific reasons for which walk-in-tub is needed.
However, when it comes to finding the tub or any other best adjustable bed frame, it is ideal to think about your pocket and then buy for your loved ones.
Medicaid’s on Walk-In-Tubs for 2020
In 2020, Medicare Advantage plans to offer supplemental and non-supplemental healthcare; it is also more likely to provide financial assistance to buy and install walk-in-tubs for the elderly.
How To Get Medicare Reimbursement For A Walk-In Tub?
Just like the world of insurance and healthcare, medicare is also not an exception when it comes to complications.
Under few circumstances, you may get some exceptions and reimbursement with the walk-in tubs payments.
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Coverage under part B
If you have medicare part A and B coverage and are looking for a walk-in tub, you need to have a doctor’s prescription first. The prescription should strongly mention the details about your medical condition and how the tub can improve your condition.
You will have to purchase the tub from the supplier that is enrolled in Medicare. The supplier should have a participant number from Medicare, showing that they are combined with the Medicare and accept the assignment.
You can purchase the tub with the help of the prescription and the participant number of the supplier and then submit it to Medicare for reimbursement.
A small portion of your purchase price is reimbursed by medicare. As soon as you buy your walk-in-bathtub, you can submit your written prescription and your invoice to medicare. However, there is no guarantee of successful reimbursement, your only loss is the cost of photocopies and postage.
How Can You Become a Beneficiary?
You have to try to be the beneficiary of using the walk-in-tub that is in general a piece of durable medical equipment. Respectively, a sort of medical examination will be held to prove the needs of the beneficiary.
Either a medical report confirming the examination or a written prescription by a physician may help the purpose well enough. However, the prescription or the examination report should essentially outline the genuine reasons which prove the need of getting the walk-in-tubs for elderly.
Things that can go in wrong directions
Collecting all the important documents for being the beneficiary does not mean that medicare will guarantee its compensation. It is suggested that people with a concern should prepare themselves for bearing the cost personally.
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Coverage through a medicare advantage plan
Medicare Advantage Part C is an alternative to the original Medicare. Here you can choose a private company to offer your Medicare benefits.
Some Medicare Advantage Plans may extend those benefits to cover walk-in tubs. There are thousands of plans and rules at the Medicare company.
Make sure you contact your Medicare agency directly and ask about the coverage and reimbursement.
In need of adjustable bed medicare coverage? Learn how Medicare will help with costs for adjustable beds
What is the Importance of Getting a Doctor's Prescription?
Firstly, when you are willing to buy walk-in-tubs for elderly, get doctor’s prescriptions. Without it, you stand no chance for reimbursement.
Secondly, make sure you can afford the purchase of the tubs because there is a chance that you will not get a refund from medicare. This includes all the remodeling costs and also the purchase price of the tub.
After considering the contractors, show them the specifications of placing the walk. It is smart to at least add an extra 1000$ to your budget that will cover your old bathtub removal as well as the repairing costs.
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What Are Other Options to Reduce costs of walk-in-tubs for seniors?
The cost of walk-in tubs for seniors
When it comes to the basic design, the cost of walk-in tubs can range between $2,000 and $5,000. Wheelchair walk-in-tubs are twice the amount of the basic version which can cost $5000 to $10,000.
However, the price also varies from the material and the company that is built. For the installation of a bathtub, it takes 4-8 hours of work. Costs for installation are also added which can range from $500 to $5,000.
If you are currently receiving Medicare benefits, then you know that medicare does not consider walk-in-tubs as a piece of durable medicare equipment.
1) Medicaid
If you qualify Medicaid, you may get some financial assistance in the buy and installation of a walk-in tub for the elderly.
The most straightforward approach to decide your expenses is to get a free, non-restricting installment quote. You can get numerous statements from a few local home change experts at no commitment by finishing this short form.
2) Grants
Many other options can help pay for a walk-in-tub, though these are not available for everyone. Although, there is a grant present from the US Department of Agriculture that helps the elderly, a resident from rural areas or low-income people to make a home modification for better aging in place.
These grants include all the safety and home improvements also including the walk-in-tubs to the elderly’s bathroom. To start the administration process is to reach your local USDA service center.
Veteran Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs presents many programs that provide financial assistance, buy, and installation of the best walk-in-tubs for seniors. You can choose or fit yourself in the following option:
HOME MODIFICATION GRANTS
Veterans who are disabled are eligible to apply for grants to install home modifications that help disabilities related to their military service or from aging
VETERANS DIRECTED HOME & COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES (VD-HCBS)
This is formed after the Medicaid waivers program. All members are given a set financial plan for their care requirements and given a specific amount of flexibility to spend that budget plan on the services and supplies they decide as important.
VA AID & ATTENDANCE, HOUSEBOUND, AND OTHER PENSIONS
These pensions offer no limitations as long as they are spent on the necessities of the beneficiary. Therefore, these can be spent on walk-in-tubs purchase and installation.
It can also be considered as an unreimbursed medical expense. This means that the costs will be deducted from one’s income. The veteran will receive an increase in the amount of deduction that will cover the cost of walk-in-tub for seniors.
3) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
You can also consider the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers program. This program helps those with significant physical and cognitive limitations to get service opportunities in their community and home.
Depending on which state you live, HCBS may pay for specialized medical necessity equipment and modification for environment accessibilities which also include paying for the installation of walk-in-tubs for elderly.
4) Financial assistance programs
Some non-profit organizations have community initiatives that can diminish the costs of walk-in-tubs for elderly.
At last, a few manufacturers of walk-in-tubs offer financing which can change over a huge forthright installment into a monthly bill. Regularly scheduled installments of somewhere in the range of $80 and $150 can be expected.
If you are looking to save some money for future medical expenses, then you can look for Health savings account(HSA) for Retirement.
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5) Tax Reduction of Walk-In Tubs
If a walk-in-tub for elderly is bought for medical safety reasons, then it is considered as a medical expense. Therefore, all the material and installation costs are tax reduced as a medical and dental expense.
If a person has an elderly parent at home and makes a home modification that includes a walk-in-bathtub then they can apply for their expense claim under the Department Care Tax Credit.
The takeaway
Generally, Medicare does not cover walk-in tubs.
Few Medicare advantage plans may have some policies that can help you reimburse or provide your the coverage of buying a walk-in tub. However, this case is rare.
Other state communities and organizations may offer you grants to help you pay for a walk-in tub for seniors.
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