Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for home modifications?
Answers
The installing of a walk-in tub is a modification of a home that neither Medicare nor Medicaid usually covers. That's because it involves a physical change to the home, rather than the addition -- through purchase or rental -- of medical equipment or supplies, which Medicare Part B and Medicaid do cover. There a number of types of what is called "durable medical equipment" that Medicare Part B and Medicaid cover that might be useful to you and your son, including a special hospital-style adjustable bed, patient lift, special chairs and other equipment to make use of a shower or tub both easier and safer, special commodes, and many others.
The types of equipment, and how they are rented or purchased with Medicare paying most of the bills, is described in detail in the official online Medicare booklet called Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment and other Devices.
Most long-term care insurance policies can pay for home modifications like that. If your son has a policy that was issued in the past 10 or 15 years, it probably has some type of home modification benefit.
The same question was asked about the walk in tub coverage with Medicare and Comfort Walk In Tubs answered for special cases medicare might reimburse the cost of the walk in tub but you need to file a claim. http://comfortwalkintubs.com/wheel-chair-accessible/
