Understanding Stair Lift Coverage: what you should know

Many people assume Medicare will cover the cost of a stair-lift. Medicare generally does not cover the cost of a stair lift as they are considered a home improvement rather than a medically necessary piece of equipment. Stairlifts are therefore excluded from its standard benefit coverage.

That said, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan (sometimes called Part C), some private insurers may offer optional benefits that include home-modification support, but this is rare and varies significantly by plan.

So: if you rely only on Original Medicare (Part A/Part B), you should plan for the cost of a stair-lift as an out-of-pocket expense.

Yes, sometimes. Because Medicaid is administered by states under federal guidelines, coverage of stair-lifts depends heavily on your state and the specific waiver or benefit program you qualify for.

Many states offer Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers or “environmental accessibility adaptation” benefits that may cover home modifications like stair-lifts.

For example:

• In Colorado, the Medicaid Home Modification Benefit under certain waiver programs has a lifetime $14,000 cap for modifications.

• In New York, Medicaid waiver programs list stair-lifts as eligible home modifications to support people remaining in their homes.
  
  

Because rules, eligibility, available funds, and wait-lists vary so much by state, it’s best practice to contact your state Medicaid agency or local area agency to check whether a stair-lift is covered under your state’s program.

If you are a veteran, the VA offers housing-adaptation grants and other benefits designed to support home modifications. Even though coverage varies, some stair-lift installations may be eligible under these programs.

The VA’s Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants are two of the most common paths for qualifying veterans. These programs help make homes more accessible and comfortable for independent living.

Stannah is a registered stairlift vendor with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, meaning our bids are recognized and accepted by the VA when veterans apply for stair-lift assistance. This ensures that eligible veterans can work directly with Stannah for an approved installation that meets all VA specifications and program requirements. Our team can assist applicants with documentation by providing detailed quotes for submission as part of the VA’s funding process.

Many states and municipalities offer nursing-home-diversion, aging-in-place, or home-modification grant/loan programs for homeowners who want to stay in their homes longer. These can cover stair-lifts or help with the cost.

While uncommon, some private health-insurance or long-term-care-insurance plans may reimburse or partially cover home modifications if deemed necessary. It’s wise to call your insurance provider, ask whether your policy includes a home-modification or accessibility benefit, and determine if a stair-lift qualifies.

Under certain circumstances, you may deduct home-modification costs (including a stair-lift) as a medical expense on your U.S. federal tax return if the modifications are prescribed by a licensed health-care provider and are primarily for maintenance of independence or enhancement of accessibility, rather than home‐improvement for convenience. Consult a tax professional.

If all of the above are not options or only partially cover the cost, many stair-lift providers offer payment-plans or financing options, which can help divide the cost into manageable monthly payments.

• Original Medicare (Parts A & B) does not cover stair-lifts because they are considered home modifications rather than durable medical equipment.

• Medicare Advantage plans may offer optional benefits that cover stair-lifts—check plan terms.

• Many state Medicaid programs may cover stair-lifts under HCBS waivers or environmental-adaptation benefits—but eligibility and coverage vary dramatically by state.

• Additional routes include VA grants (for veterans), state/local home-modification grants or loans, some private-insurance or LTC policies, tax-deduction opportunities, and provider-financing.

• Because the rules vary so much, the best first step is: contact your state Medicaid office (or local Area Agency on Aging), review your insurance benefits, and speak with a stair-lift provider about financing options.

If you’re a veteran exploring your options for a stair-lift or planning to apply for VA funding, Stannah can help. As a registered VA stair-lift vendor, our bids are accepted for VA programs, and our advisors can help you through the process by providing an accurate quote as you prepare the paperwork for grant submission.

Reach out to Stannah today to discuss purchase options or schedule a free, no-obligation home quote. Our goal is to make your home more accessible, comfortable, and truly your own—so you can continue living independently with peace of mind.