Currently, Medicare does not pay for stair lifts. However, some people who are eligible for Medicaid could receive financial support for home modifications, such as stair lifts.
Medicare is a government-backed health insurance program for people ages 65 or older and younger individuals with certain disabilities. Various plans are available to help people cover costs relating to health issues. Certain parts of Medicare can provide coverage for medical equipment they deem medically necessary.
Stair lifts are motorized chairs that attach to a staircase rail. They move up and down the staircase to enable safe movement between floors. They are available in a range of shapes, sizes, and designs to fit user needs. The installation team can adapt the rail to different architectural needs.
Stair lifts aim to address balance, strength, and mobility issues in older adults who live in houses with more than one floor. However, as Medicare does not deem stair lifts a medical necessity, it does not provide coverage for stair lifts.
Medicare coverage does not include stair lifts, as they fall under the category of home modifications rather than durable medical equipment (DME).
DME refers to equipment that serves a medical purpose, which a person will use multiple times in their home. Medicare Part B covers DME if a Medicare-enrolled doctor prescribes it for use in the home.
Home modifications describe changes made to a living space to make it easier to live independently and safely. Medicare does not cover home modifications, even if a doctor suggests home modifications for medical reasons.
Medicaid is a social welfare program for low income households with few resources. People who are eligible for Medicaid may be able to access financial support for a stairlift through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers. However, these waivers differ depending on which state a person lives in.
People who are part of a Medicaid program should contact their local state Medicare Program office to find out what support they can receive. An HCBS waiver means that the state will fund home medications up to a limit as long as an individual meets state-specific criteria. These criteria relate to the level of care necessary, income and savings, and age.
Several other funding options are available for a stair lift, including assistance for military veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs and State Assistive Technology Act programs. The available grants for veterans vary depending on whether a person owns or rents their property. In 2024, these include:
- Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant: This grants up to $117,014 for buying, building, or altering a permanent home to accommodate special needs.
- Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant: This grants up to $23,444 for buying, building, or altering a permanent home, but it has looser requirements than the SAH grant.
- Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA): This grants up to $47,130 for adapting a family member’s home in which a person temporarily lives to accommodate special needs.
- Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) program: This grants up to $6,800 for medically necessary alterations and improvements to a veteran’s primary home.
To qualify, veterans must meet certain criteria, including one of the following:
- an income below a threshold that the VA has established
- a disability due to illness or injury that a person acquired during military service
- special circumstances, such as receiving a Medal of Honor or Purple Heart medal or having been a prisoner of war
State Assistive Technology Act programs might also provide financing assistance. A person can call 888-677-1199 for information on the nearest local programs.
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), stairlifts may cost $3,500 to $15,000. The basics of a stair lift usually include:
- seats, armrests, and footrests
- rails, some of which have hinges to fold away when they are not in use
- seatbelt
- movement controls
- rechargeable batteries
- electronic sensors to detect obstacles on the stairway
- apps, for some brands
The main factor affecting stair lift costs is whether the rail is straight or curved. Straight rails are easy to manufacture and install, so prices start at around $3,500. On the other hand, curved rails are custom-made, and the end cost may be up to $25,000 for spiral staircases or multiple landings.
Outdoor stair lifts that are more durable in environmental conditions are also available at between $7,000 and $15,000, including installation. Installation may add around $599 to 749 to the overall cost. Some manufacturers allow self-installation but recommend against it due to safety concerns.
Buying a stair lift outright can be costly, especially as Medicare does not cover them. However, the State Assistance Technology Act programs can help connect people with used but functional equipment, including stair lifts.
For many, this would cost significantly less than a new device, although installation costs may still apply. The NCOA estimates that used stair lifts may be available for around $2,600, including the installation of a lift with a straight rail. A lift with a curved rail may be more complex to fit, although they are also available secondhand.
Stair lift rental is also available for $145 to $500 per month. An installation fee of around $500 applies, although the cost would vary depending on the specifications and the dealer’s location. These arrangements last around 6 months before an individual can choose to purchase the lift at a used price or continue renting.
If a stair lift is not suitable or a person is unable to self-fund, other aids can provide support and aid mobility between floors of a home. Some options include:
- Handrails: These are available from DIY stores. A person can fix them to the wall alongside the stairs for
people with balance issues to hold onto. Rounded rails are the safest, according to the AARP, and provide the most support when a person installs one on either side of the staircase. - Sliding stair rail: This is a horizontal bar a person can hold onto that slides up two rails on either side of the staircase and moves with the individual.
Currently, Medicare does not cover stair lifts. Depending on local state provisions, some people eligible for Medicaid might be able to access funding for them. Other programs, including assistance from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and State Assistive Technology Act programs, may help people secure partial funding for stair lifts.
People may rent star lifts or buy them used to reduce costs. Otherwise, these devices may cost around $3,500 to $15,000, depending on the shape of the stairs and whether a person chooses professional installation.