When it comes to the Medicare program, it is quite an extensive program, and there are a lot of different services that are available through it. There are so many that we often aren’t sure whether Medicare will pay for something or cover any portion of it. When you’re having issues with your mobility, one of the things that you may be looking to invest in is a lift recliner.
These help you with the motion of sitting down and standing up and can be quite effective in relieving some of the stress on your painful joints. But some of them can be pretty expensive, and because they are attached to a health issue, you might be wondering if Medicare will pay for a lift recliner.
Let’s look into that as well as a couple of other key factors you might want to understand before spending your hard-earned money on this piece of furniture.
What is a Lift Recliner? Types Available
Understanding exactly what a lift chair is, is the first step. This is a chair that looks like a recliner but has been crafted with mechanisms inside to help raise and lower you into a sitting position. The motorized components within can be controlled through a remote or buttons.
The intention of these devices is to help reduce the pressure on your joints, typically when sitting down or standing up from them. There are even some that will allow you to slip into a napping position so that less tension is put on your spine and neck area.
There are three main types when looking at a lift recliner that you will have to choose from, as below:
2-Position
This is by far the most simple type of lift chair and probably one of the more common. Because of the limited position range, it might also be more budget-friendly. Typically these chairs offer two different positions: a 90-degree and a 45-degree recline. These devices usually have the motor and the lift elevator attached to this same mechanism to create this recline.
3-Position
This type of recliner has the same two positions as the first one with an added third angle. Typically this is a reclining angle that allows you to lay flat and reduces the pressure on your back and joints. This is perfect for those looking for not only something to help them with mobility but also to allow them to nap or watch TV in comfort.
Infinite-Position
The last type of lift recliner offers a lot of versatility. This is the infinite-position chair. This allows you to have all of the positions that we mentioned above as well as several others including one that allows your legs to rise higher than your head so that you can have a more comfortable experience. You might also see these listed as zero gravity chairs. They do tend to be the pricier of the three models, but they also, as we said, offer the most versatility.
Will Medicare Pay for a Lift Recliner?
But will Medicare pay for the lift recliner? The answer is yes. As part of Medicare coverage, there are several different parts, and this type of purchase falls under the Part B of that coverage. The lift recliner is technically considered a DME which means a piece of durable medical equipment.
It can be used to treat arthritis and mobility issues, which means that it meets all the requirements to fall under this category. It might be included in your Medicare Advantage plan as well. There are several factors you have to meet before Medicare will cover it, but in the end, all you have to prove is that it is medically necessary for you to have a productive and normal life.
Defining Medical Necessity
What does a medical necessity actually mean, though? This basically means that your doctor has to have diagnosed you with something that requires you’d have help with your mobility. In essence, you need this piece of equipment to help you survive as well as treat the condition you’ve been diagnosed with. Along with being a medical necessity, you also have to make sure that the doctor that is prescribing you the lift chair is a Medicare-approved doctor.
Final Thoughts
As long as your doctor says that is a medical necessity for you, Medicare will cover the cost of a lift recliner. You may still want to make sure you can cover it until Medicare has completely put all their paperwork through and approved it, if it is an emergency situation. But in the end, they will approve it, and you will be able to live in your home and move around with ease, knowing that you have something that offers you a ton of comfort.