Last updated: October 24, 2026 · By the Caregiver Safety editorial team
The most common question caregivers ask about bathroom safety equipment is also the one with the most misinformation around it: “Does Medicare cover grab bars, shower chairs, raised toilet seats, and walk-in tubs?” The honest, straight answer is: mostly no — but a few things are covered under the right conditions, and the exact rules matter. This guide walks through the “usually covered” and “usually not covered” reality for each item, straight from Medicare’s own DME coverage list, so you can plan realistically.
The bottom line first
| Item | Medicare Part B covers? | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commode chairs | Yes (DME) | Doctor’s order + Medicare-approved supplier; you pay 20% after the Part B deductible |
| Walkers & canes | Yes (DME) | Doctor’s order + approved supplier; applies to standard walkers/canes |
| Hospital beds | Yes (DME) | Doctor’s order + medical necessity; supplier must be Medicare-approved |
| Raised toilet seats | Limited / varies | Has a DME code (E0244) but coverage is limited and varies; not reliably covered |
| Shower chairs | Generally NO | Not on Medicare’s standard DME list as covered equipment |
| Grab bars | NO | Considered home modification, not DME |
| Transfer benches | Generally NO | Not reliably on the covered DME list |
| Walk-in tubs | NO | Home modification; not DME |
| Bathroom remodeling / ramps | NO | Home modifications, not covered |
Source: Medicare.gov’s “Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment & Other Devices” (Publication 11045) and Medicare.gov coverage pages, cited at the bottom. “DME” = durable medical equipment, which Medicare Part B covers at 20% after the deductible when medically necessary, ordered by a doctor, and supplied by a Medicare-approved supplier.
Why shower chairs, grab bars, and walk-in tubs usually aren’t covered
Medicare distinguishes between durable medical equipment (DME — reusable medical equipment used to treat illness or injury at home) and home modifications. Bathroom safety gear falls on different sides of that line:
- Shower chairs are usually considered low-cost convenience aids that Medicare doesn’t list as covered DME — not “medically necessary equipment.” (Unlike commode chairs, which ARE on the covered DME list.)
- Grab bars are treated as home modifications — like ramps, grab bars, and stairlifts — which standard Medicare does not cover. (They attach to your home; Medicare doesn’t pay to modify your house.)
- Walk-in tubs are also home modifications, and are explicitly not covered as DME, regardless of how medically helpful they are.
This isn’t a billing mistake or a paperwork gap — it’s Medicare’s design: DME that’s part of treating a condition is covered; adapting your home to daily living isn’t. The exception worth knowing: commode chairs and walkers/canes are on the covered DME list, so those genuinely can be covered.
What IS worth pursuing with Medicare
- Commode chairs — the most reliable win. Medicare Part B covers commode chairs as DME. Get a doctor’s order and use a Medicare-approved supplier; after the Part B deductible you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. This covers both basic and side-rail commodes.
- Walkers and canes. Standard walkers and canes are covered DME (Drive lists HCPCS E0105 for its quad cane; walkers have their own codes). Doctor’s order + approved supplier.
- Hospital beds. Covered as DME with medical necessity.
- Raised toilet seats — limited, verify. There is a DME code (E0244) for raised toilet seats, but coverage under Part B is limited and varies significantly. Having a code doesn’t guarantee payment. Check with Medicare and your supplier before assuming coverage.
The key procedural fact for all of these: Medicare requires a doctor’s order and a Medicare-approved supplier for DME coverage. If you bought equipment yourself from Amazon, Medicare won’t retroactively reimburse it. And the “20% after deductible” rule is your out-of-pocket share.
Shower chairs, grab bars, transfer benches: how to actually afford them
Since these aren’t covered, here are the realistic paths — in rough order of value:
- HSA / FSA funds. Many bathroom safety items are FSA/HSA-eligible (several of our picks — like the Vive transfer bench — are flagged HSA/FSA eligible). This isn’t “insurance paying,” but it lets you spend pre-tax dollars, which is real savings.
- Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and local programs. Many AAAs, non-profits, and state programs provide or loan bath safety equipment (shower chairs, grab bars) at low or no cost — or fund them. Search “[your county] Area Agency on Aging durable medical equipment.”
- Non-profit / reuse programs. Organizations like local medical equipment lending closets, and programs for veterans, can supply equipment. Examples include community loan closets run by churches and Lions/VFW-style groups.
- Direct purchase. Quality shower chairs run ~$35–70, raised toilet seats ~$40–65, grab bars ~$20–45, transfer benches ~$80–140. These are affordable compared with a fall.
Walk-in tubs: the honest cost-and-coverage picture
Walk-in tubs are the big-ticket item, and the coverage math is simple: Medicare does not cover them (they’re home modifications). Some families pursue other routes, and it’s important to know these are separate from Medicare:
- Medicaid (for qualifying low-income individuals) covers some home modifications in certain states — availability varies widely and there are long waiting lists.
- VA benefits — qualified veterans may access home-modification grants (through programs like HISA), which can apply toward bathroom safety modifications.
- State / local grants and tax programs — some areas fund aging-in-place modifications or offer property-tax or income-tax deductions for medical home improvements (details vary widely; check with a tax professional).
Realistically, most families pay for walk-in tubs out of pocket. For many, a shower chair or transfer bench at $80–140 meets the need at a fraction of the cost — and a walk-in tub conversion (see our cost guide) runs thousands. Start with the $40–140 fixes; they’re often enough.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover shower chairs?
Generally no. Shower chairs are not on Medicare’s standard DME covered list (unlike commode chairs, which are). Medicare distinguishes DME from low-cost bathroom convenience aids. Use HSA/FSA, an Area Agency on Aging program, or direct purchase.
Does Medicare cover grab bars?
No. Grab bars are considered home modifications, which Medicare does not cover (like ramps and stairlifts). They’re affordable to buy and install; look to state/local or VA programs for help in specific situations.
Does Medicare cover raised toilet seats?
There is a DME code (E0244) for raised toilet seats, but coverage under Part B is limited and varies by medical necessity and supplier. Don’t assume it’s covered — verify with Medicare and a Medicare-approved supplier first. Commode chairs are the more reliably covered option in this category.
Does Medicare cover walk-in tubs?
No. Walk-in tubs are home modifications, not durable medical equipment, so Medicare Part B does not cover them. Explore Medicaid (low-income, some states), VA grants (for qualifying veterans), or state programs; for most families this is an out-of-pocket expense.
Does Medicare cover transfer benches?
Generally not reliably — transfer benches are typically not on the covered DME list. Commode chairs and walkers/canes are the reliable DME wins for bathroom and mobility needs.
Will Medicare reimburse equipment I already bought on Amazon?
No. Medicare DME coverage requires a doctor’s order and a Medicare-approved supplier; equipment bought retail isn’t retroactively reimbursable. Check coverage BEFORE buying anything you hope Medicare will pay for.
Methodology and sources
How we built this guide: This is a coverage-explanations guide built from Medicare’s own published materials, not from product marketing. Coverage statements are based on Medicare.gov’s “Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment & Other Devices” (Publication 11045) and Medicare.gov coverage pages for commode chairs and DME, plus the HCPCS codes listed on manufacturer DME product pages (e.g., Drive Medical lists E0244 for a raised toilet seat, E0105 for a quad cane). Medicare rules and supplier requirements change and vary by circumstance — treat this as a planning guide, not a coverage guarantee, and verify your specific case with Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) and a Medicare-approved supplier.
Sources: Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment & Other Devices (Publication 11045); Medicare.gov Coverage pages for Commode Chairs; Medicare.gov DME information (medicare.gov); HCPCS codes from manufacturer DME product pages (Drive Medical), accessed October 24, 2026.
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Disclaimer: Caregiver Safety is an information site, not a Medicare counselor, tax professional, or benefits specialist. This guide is informational and not a coverage or tax guarantee. Contact Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE), a Medicare-approved supplier, or a qualified professional for your specific situation.