Barry R. McKendrick
Owner/President, Safeguard Stairlifts
Does Medicare Cover Stairlifts?
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) does not cover stairlifts. Medicare covers durable medical equipment such as walkers and hospital beds, and it generally does not pay for permanent changes to your home. Other options are worth checking: some Medicare Advantage plans, VA grants, Utah Medicaid waivers, and local programs.
This is one of the most common questions I hear from Utah families. Unfortunately, the straightforward answer is disappointing - but there are alternatives that many people don't know about.
Why Medicare Doesn't Cover Stairlifts
The Classification Problem
Medicare Part B covers Durable Medical Equipment (DME), which includes:
- Wheelchairs and scooters
- Hospital beds
- Walkers and canes
- Oxygen equipment
A stairlift is installed on your staircase and stays with the house, much like other permanent home changes such as:
- Ramps
- Grab bars
- Widened doorways
- Bathroom modifications
Medicare does not treat these permanent home changes as covered equipment.
What Medicare Says
Medicare.gov says covered DME must be:
- Durable (can withstand repeated use)
- Used for a medical reason
- Typically only useful to someone who is sick or injured
- Used in your home
- Expected to last at least 3 years
Stairlifts are permanent home modifications, and Medicare does not treat them as covered equipment.
Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) - A Possible Exception
While Original Medicare doesn't cover stairlifts, some Medicare Advantage plans offer a small allowance for home safety items like grab bars or handrails. Coverage for a stairlift is rare, so ask your plan directly.
What to Ask Your Plan
If you have Medicare Advantage, contact your plan directly and ask:
- "Do you cover home modifications for mobility?"
- "What's the coverage for stairlifts specifically?"
- "What documentation or prior authorization is required?"
- "Are there network restrictions on installers?"
Important Notes
- Coverage varies widely between plans
- Benefits change annually - check each year
- Prior authorization is typically required
- There may be dollar limits on coverage
- Not all Medicare Advantage plans include these benefits
It's worth asking, but don't count on it.
VA Benefits for Veterans
If you or your spouse is a veteran, several programs may help with home accessibility. Ask your VA prosthetics office which ones can apply to a stairlift.
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant
What it covers: Some permanent accessibility changes, such as ramps and roll-in showers. The VA currently lists stair glides as excluded, so ask your VA prosthetics office whether any VA grant can apply to a stairlift. Maximum amount: $6,800 or $2,000, a lifetime benefit Who qualifies: The $6,800 amount is for a service-connected disability, or for a non-service-connected disability if you also have a service-connected disability rated at least 50 percent. The $2,000 amount is for other disabilities.
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
What it covers: Major home modifications Maximum amount: Up to $126,526 (FY 2026) Who qualifies: Veterans with severe service-connected disabilities
Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant
What it covers: Home adaptations for specific disabilities Maximum amount: Up to $25,350 (FY 2026) Who qualifies: Veterans with specific qualifying conditions
Aid and Attendance Benefits
While not covering stairlifts directly, this monthly benefit for veterans who already qualify for a VA pension and need assistance can help offset costs.
How to Apply
- Contact your local VA medical center
- Speak with a prosthetics representative
- Get documentation of medical necessity
- Submit application through VA healthcare
Tip: In Salt Lake City, the VA's Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service can guide you through the process: 801-582-1565, ext. 1220.
Utah Medicaid Options
Utah Medicaid offers programs that may help with home modifications for qualifying individuals:
New Choices Waiver (NCW)
Who qualifies: People who live long-term in a nursing facility or assisted living and want to move back to a home setting What it covers: Approved home modifications such as ramps and grab bars. Whether it covers a stairlift is decided case by case. Requirements: Must meet income and functional eligibility
Aging Waiver
Who qualifies: Adults 65+ who need nursing-facility level of care but can live at home What it covers: Various home and community-based services, including approved home accessibility changes Requirements: Must meet income and functional criteria
How to Apply
Call the Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services at (801) 538-3910, or your local Area Agency on Aging, to ask about the Aging Waiver.
Reality check: Medicaid waiver programs have waiting lists and strict eligibility requirements. Start the application process early.
Other Funding Sources
Private Insurance
Most private health insurance does not cover stairlifts, but some exceptions exist:
- Long-term care insurance policies
- Disability insurance with home modification benefits
- Some employer-sponsored wellness programs
Non-Profit Organizations
Several organizations help Utah seniors with home modifications:
Rebuilding Together
- A national nonprofit with local affiliates that offers free repairs and accessibility modifications to qualifying low-income homeowners
- Application-based, limited availability
- Check whether an affiliate serves your area
Utah Area Agencies on Aging
- Can direct you to local programs and the Aging Waiver
- Provides information on assistance programs
Utah Assistive Technology Foundation
- Low-interest loans from the UATF through the Utah Assistive Technology Program, made with Zions Bank
- Can include home modifications
Home Equity Options
For homeowners, your home's equity can fund modifications:
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
- Flexible borrowing against home equity
- Often lower interest rates
- Interest is deductible only if the money is used to buy, build or substantially improve your home; whether a stairlift qualifies is a question for your tax preparer
Reverse Mortgage
- Available to homeowners 62 and older
- You generally make no monthly mortgage payments, but you still pay property taxes and homeowners insurance
- Proceeds can fund modifications
Making Stairlifts Affordable
While insurance coverage is limited, here's how Utah families plan for a stairlift:
Questions to Ask Installers
- "What's your most affordable option for my stairs?"
- "What does the warranty cover, and who honors it locally?"
- "What support do you provide after installation?"
Comparing Total Costs
When comparing quotes, consider:
- Equipment cost
- Installation cost
- Warranty length and coverage
- Maintenance costs
- Potential repair costs
Compare warranty coverage along with the price. Our Utah stairlift cost guide explains what drives the price.
The Real Question: Can You Afford Not To?
Many families wait for insurance to cover a stairlift. That concern is understandable, but waiting has costs too:
The Cost of Falls
- A CDC study estimated that older-adult falls cost about $50 billion in US medical spending in 2015
- In Utah, adults 65+ had about 3,800 fall hospitalizations in 2021, at an average charge of about $52,000 (Utah Department of Health and Human Services)
- A nursing home averages roughly $9,600 to $10,800 a month nationally (Genworth and CareScout, 2025)
Our fall prevention guide for Utah seniors covers other ways to make your home safer.
The Value of Independence
What's the value of:
- Staying in your home vs. moving?
- Independence vs. relying on others for stairs?
- Safety vs. risk of falling?
- Peace of mind for you and your family?
Many families conclude that a stairlift is not just an expense - it's an investment in safety and independence.
Get a Free Quote
Don't let uncertainty about coverage stop you from exploring your options. At Safeguard, we provide:
- Free, no-obligation in-home estimates
- An honest explanation of your options
- 365-day client support after installation
Contact us today. We'll help you understand what a stairlift costs for your specific situation.
Remember: the best time to install a stairlift is before you desperately need one. Let's talk about your options.