Does Medicare cover shower chairs?
Usually not covered
Original Medicare does not cover shower chairs or bath benches — they're classified as convenience or safety items, not durable medical equipment.
- Covered when You're on a Medicare Advantage plan with a supplemental benefit for home safety items or an OTC (over-the-counter) allowance — check your plan's Evidence of Coverage, since some Advantage plans specifically reimburse bathroom safety equipment.
- Covered when You qualify for a state Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver alongside Medicare (dual eligibility) — many waivers cover bathroom safety equipment that Medicare won't.
- Not when You have Original Medicare only and no supplemental Advantage or Medicaid benefit — the shower chair is out-of-pocket regardless of a doctor's recommendation.
What flips the answer
- Covered when
You're on a Medicare Advantage plan with a supplemental benefit for home safety items or an OTC (over-the-counter) allowance — check your plan's Evidence of Coverage, since some Advantage plans specifically reimburse bathroom safety equipment.
- Covered when
You qualify for a state Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver alongside Medicare (dual eligibility) — many waivers cover bathroom safety equipment that Medicare won't.
- Not covered when
You have Original Medicare only and no supplemental Advantage or Medicaid benefit — the shower chair is out-of-pocket regardless of a doctor's recommendation.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Usually not covered
- Applies to
- shower chairs · Medicare
- Covered when
- You're on a Medicare Advantage plan with a supplemental benefit for home safety items or an OTC (over-the-counter) allowance — check your plan's Evidence of Coverage, since some Advantage plans specifically reimburse bathroom safety equipment.
- Not covered when
- You have Original Medicare only and no supplemental Advantage or Medicaid benefit — the shower chair is out-of-pocket regardless of a doctor's recommendation.
- Varies by state
- Yes
- Verified
- 2026-07-03 · 2 primary sources
Medicare's durable medical equipment (DME) benefit under Part B only pays for equipment that primarily serves a medical purpose — things like wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen equipment. Shower chairs, bath benches, and bathtub transfer benches don't meet that bar. Medicare treats them as safety or convenience items you'd want whether or not you were sick, so Original Medicare denies them across the board.
This surprises a lot of people, especially after a hip or knee surgery, because a physical therapist will often recommend a shower chair as part of a fall-prevention plan. The clinical recommendation doesn't change the coverage rule — medical necessity alone isn't enough; the item also has to fit Medicare's legal definition of DME.
Shower chairs are inexpensive relative to most DME (typically $30–$100), so many people simply buy one out of pocket rather than fight for coverage.
For dual-eligible beneficiaries, whether a state Medicaid HCBS waiver covers shower chairs depends on the state's waiver design and your specific waiver enrollment — coverage is not uniform nationwide.
What people typically pay
If a Medicare Advantage supplemental benefit or OTC allowance applies, your out-of-pocket cost may be reduced or eliminated, though allowances are typically capped and may require ordering through an approved catalog or vendor. Through a Medicaid HCBS waiver, an approved shower chair may be covered, but this varies by state and waiver.
With Original Medicare, you pay the full retail price out of pocket — typically around $30 to $100 depending on style, with heavier-duty or transfer-bench models often running higher.
The range reflects the type of chair (basic stool vs. padded transfer bench) and where you buy it; because these are inexpensive relative to most equipment, many people simply purchase one rather than pursue coverage.
Common questions
My physical therapist recommended a shower chair after surgery — doesn't that make it covered?
No. A therapist's recommendation shows the item is helpful for fall prevention, but Original Medicare requires equipment to meet its legal definition of durable medical equipment, and shower chairs don't. Medical necessity alone doesn't override the classification, so the recommendation won't get it paid under Part B.
Can a Medicare Advantage plan actually reimburse me for a shower chair?
Some can. Certain Advantage plans include supplemental home-safety benefits or an over-the-counter (OTC) allowance that can be applied to bathroom safety equipment. Check your plan's Evidence of Coverage or call member services to confirm whether shower chairs qualify and whether you must buy from a specific catalog or vendor.
If I'm on both Medicare and Medicaid, will a shower chair be covered?
It might be, through Medicaid rather than Medicare. Many state Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers cover bathroom safety equipment that Medicare won't. Coverage depends on your state's waiver design and your specific enrollment, so ask your Medicaid case manager whether bath safety items are on your waiver's approved list.
Is a bathtub transfer bench treated any differently than a plain shower chair?
No. Original Medicare groups shower chairs, bath benches, and bathtub transfer benches together as safety or convenience items, so all of them are denied under the DME benefit. The same flip conditions apply — an Advantage supplemental benefit or a Medicaid waiver is the only route to coverage.
Are grab bars covered if the shower chair isn't?
Generally no — grab bars are typically treated as home safety items rather than durable medical equipment under Original Medicare, so coverage is unlikely. Some Medicare Advantage home-safety benefits and Medicaid HCBS waivers may cover bathroom safety equipment; check your specific plan or waiver.
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