No, insurance does not typically cover the cost of a stairlift. Medicare Part B does not pay for stairlifts because they are not considered durable medical equipment by the definition set up by the program. However, seniors in some states may be able to find help paying for a stairlift through Medicaid Waiver plans or Home and Community Based Services, or through long-term care plans.

Stairlifts can help seniors who have difficulty traveling up and down the stairs in their homes due to joint pain or chronic illness that has caused mobility issues. A simple stairlift is a chair or platform connected to a motorized rail that runs from the bottom to the top of a staircase. Seniors sit in the chair or stand on the platform and push a button to actuate the chair to travel up and down.   

Medicare’s Coverage of Stairlifts

Medicare does not cover stairlifts under Part B coverage because they do not fit the definition of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) as determined by the program, but they are defined as home modifications. Fortunately, seniors may have some options for coverage in other Medicare-funded programs.

Medicare Advantage plans, known as Medicare Part C plans, are Medicare-approved programs provided through private insurance companies. These programs often offer extra coverage that the original Medicare program won’t, including fitness programs, vision/dental and home modifications. Plan options vary by state, so seniors should check to see if their state’s Advantage Plans include home modification coverage. 

Other Payment Options for Stairlifts

Aside from Medicare Part C, seniors may be able to find insurance coverage for a stairlift through some Medicaid-based programs. These are usually offered through the Medicaid Waiver or Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). These Medicaid-based programs are designed to help seniors avoid being placed into an assisted living or nursing home before they actually need to be there and will often provide help modifying a home to improve accessibility through installing wheelchair ramps or stairlifts.

Seniors may be able to find assistance paying for a stairlift through their local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) department, a state-supported private or public nonprofit agency that helps seniors stay in their homes by providing meal delivery service, home care assistance or other services, which can include modifications to the home. For seniors under the age of 75, a long-term care (LTC) policy may also be able to help pay for a portion of a stairlift installation. LTC premiums and coverage options vary by state and locality. They often have lifetime payment caps and other limitations to how they may be used, so seniors should contact their local Aging Services department or Health and Family Services to find out more about local LTC plans.