Introduction
For individuals with limited mobility, navigating the layers of stairs within their homes makes moving about freely seem incredibly difficult. Moreover, this difficulty confines them to a specific floor, thereby fostering a psychological sense of loneliness and helplessness, and leaving them feeling that they have lost control over their lives.
However, all these problems can be easily resolved by installing a home elevator. A home elevator is the best way to transform their lives, providing them with a safer, more convenient, and faster way to move between floors. At the same time, it enables individuals with mobility impairments to live more independently, participate in a wider range of residential social activities, and maintain 100% utilization of their living space.
You are considering purchasing a home elevator for yourself or your family, and you are also enrolled in Medicare. Consequently, you may have a question: Are home elevators covered by Medicare?
Read on to learn whether home elevators are covered by Medicare, as well as other funding options available to you.
Does Medicare Pay for Home Elevators? The Official Rules
No, home elevators typically do not fall under the scope of Medicare.
Medicare is a public health insurance program primarily designed for the elderly and specific special populations, aiming to assist these groups in covering expenses incurred for medical services. Furthermore, the scope of Medicare coverage must meet the criterion of medical necessity—specifically, it must apply to services and equipment used for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of diseases or disorders. Unfortunately, installing a home elevator is classified as a home renovation project; although it serves the function of enhancing one’s ability to live independently at home, it typically falls outside the scope of standard health insurance coverage.
UnionCare Medical Insurance is divided into three plans: A, B, and C. Among these, the traditional Type A and Type B classifications explicitly exclude equipment such as home elevators and platform lifts. A very small number of Medicare Part C plans may offer partial private subsidies for home modifications designed to enhance functional independence.
Like Medicare, Medicaid is jointly administered by the federal and state governments; it is currently the only public insurance program that may cover the cost of home elevators. However, strict HCBS waiver program requirements must be met, and requirements vary by location. It is recommended that you contact a professional Medicare agency for consultation, maintain detailed records of every medical visit, and obtain a physician’s recommendation for a home elevator.
Alternatives to Medicare
Veterans’ Benefits
Veterans’ benefits consist of financial support provided by the U.S. federal government to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, covering their entire lifecycle needs—including healthcare, income support, housing, and home modifications. It is the most comprehensive subsidy program available for home elevators.
There are three types of subsidy programs for home renovations available through veterans’ benefits:
SAH（Specially Adapted Housing）：SAH is the highest-value type of grant available; it can be utilized for accessibility modifications throughout the entire home, with subsidy amounts potentially exceeding $100,000. However, this applies only if the applicant has a severe service-related disability, such as the loss of a limb or limited mobility.
SHA（Special Housing Adaptations）：Compared to SAH, the subsidy will be somewhat lower. This amount is primarily allocated for localized renovations involving the installation of equipment such as home elevators and platform lifts, totaling over $20,000. It is primarily applied for by individuals with mild disabilities who experience functional impairments.
HISA（Home Improvements and Structural Alterations）：HISA represents the lowest tier among the three options, yet it is also the most common approach, with the lowest application requirements. The amount typically ranges from $2,000 to $6,800 and is primarily used for medically necessary items. In other words, the doctor considers the installation of a home elevator in a residence to be absolutely essential, and its functionality is irreplaceable by other devices, such as stairlifts.
State and Local Grant Programs
Most states and localities offer subsidies, loans, and tax reduction programs for the installation of accessibility modifications for seniors and people with disabilities. Common state and local grant programs include:
Medicaid Home-Based Services Program
Applications may be submitted by low-income individuals, persons with disabilities, or seniors aged 65 and older, provided they furnish medical documentation; these applications typically cover projects involving home elevators and stairlifts.
State Accessibility Modification Grants
The subsidy amounts for this project vary by state, ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of yuan. These funds may be utilized to purchase accessibility equipment—such as home elevators and platform lifts. As funding is limited, it is recommended that you consult with a professional and submit your application as soon as possible.
Local Housing Repair Projects
The project primarily provides assistance to the elderly and disabled. The funds are relatively small, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. However, the project is quite flexible, and the application requirements for installing a home elevator are relatively low. This project has the highest success rate among the projects listed above.
Medical Expense Tax Relief
When a home elevator is approved by a doctor as medically necessary, a medical expense tax deduction can be applied for. However, you must meet the requirement that your medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your annual income (medical expenses equal the cost of the home elevator minus the added value brought by the equipment). That is, when your annual income is $10,000, then $7,500 is a threshold. If your medical expenses are $10,000, subtract $7,500 from $10,000 to get your tax deduction. The project subsidy can be used not only for the purchase of home elevator equipment, but also for the installation and renovation of elevators.
Charitable Organizations
Many charitable and nonprofit organizations in the United States provide indirect, partial, or small subsidies for home elevator equipment, but full coverage is rare. Furthermore, the requirements for applying for subsidies from charitable organizations are more flexible compared to those for state government subsidies.
Private Insurance
Check if you have purchased home renovation riders or have a health savings/flexible spending account along with your health insurance. If so, once the hospital issues a letter of medical necessity, a portion of the costs incurred for the home elevator can be reimbursed. The amount of reimbursement for medical expenses is determined by the relevant insurance institution.
General Application Process of Home Elevator Financial Assistance
Confirm Qualification
Almost all subsidies involve screening applicants to ensure that the money is actually given to those who need it.
Common restrictions for groups of people include:
People who are 65 years of age or older
Has a disability certificate
Meeting certain income restrictions
Owning property rights
Veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families
Record and Obtain a Doctor’s Certificate
Complete records of each of your treatments, including the time, needs, treatment plan, doctor’s advice, and relevant medical payment receipts. At the same time, obtain a certificate from a doctor, a report on accessibility needs, or an assessment report from an occupational therapist—this proves that a home elevator is indeed needed, rather than simply desired.
Prepare Materials and Submit Application
Obtain contact information for relevant organizations through local search engines. Then explain your situation to the agency and provide relevant proof. The generally required materials are as follows:
Identity and income verification
Medical Required Report
Housing Information
Elevator/equipment related documents
Reimbursement
Once your application is approved, the subsidy is usually disbursed in two ways. The first option is to pay you a portion of the fee directly after the approval process is completed. The second option is that after the home elevator is installed, you pay first, and then the relevant agency will pay you the corresponding fees based on your payment receipt.
Conclusion
In short, Medicare will not reimburse you for the cost of your home elevator. However, once you understand the specific reasons and other subsidy options, you will have more choices and be able to have more professional discussions with relevant personnel.
Installing a home elevator is essential as it can improve your or your family’s quality of life and increase convenience. After understanding the subsidy program for home elevators, you also need to learn more about home elevators themselves. Please read the comprehensive guide to home elevators, which will give you a clear understanding of home elevators.
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FAQ
Does Medicare Cover Stairlifts?
Stair lifts are typically not covered by Medicare because, like home elevators, they are usually classified as home renovation equipment rather than medically necessary equipment.
How Do I Know if a Home Elevator is Medically Necessary?
Home elevators are usually not medically necessary. However, if a doctor or therapist can prove that a family member has a mobility impairment or other illness that poses a high risk of falls, and the home elevator is the only safe and reliable solution for long-term residential use, then it may be considered medically necessary.
Where Can I Find Information on State and Local Programs for Home Modifications?
Searching for the relevant organization’s website through a search engine usually yields a wealth of information. Besides, you can chat online with staff at the website or call the hotline to obtain relevant information.
How Much Does a Home Elevator Cost ？
The price of home elevators varies, with no uniform standard ranging from low to high. However, the lowest price for a home elevator is usually around $3,000, while the most expensive home elevators range from $30,000 to $60,000. In addition, the price of a home elevator depends on a variety of factors, including the number of floors, elevator type, configuration, and size, all of which can cause price fluctuations. If you would like to learn more about the price of home elevators, please continue reading this article on the cost of home elevators.
What Is Considered Durable Medical Equipment Under Medicare?
The federal government believes that durable medical devices must have five key characteristics: durability, medical use, specialized use, home use, and necessity. It typically includes home care beds, wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, infusion pumps, and other equipment.
