Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids, Stairlifts, and Accessible Tubs?

Updated August 7, 2025 | Lisbeth Cano

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Helping an aging parent means navigating complex questions, especially about healthcare costs. You might be wondering what Medicare covers when it comes to common needs like hearing aids, making their home safer, or more accessible.

Medicare can be confusing. It has different parts, and each part covers specific services. This guide will break down Medicare’s coverage for hearing aids, stairlifts, and accessible tubs. You’ll learn what to expect from Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare and Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) generally covers Durable Medical Equipment (DME) 1. DME includes items like wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen equipment. To be covered, the equipment must:

  • Be durable, meaning it can withstand repeated use.
  • Be used for a medical reason.
  • Not generally be useful to someone who isn’t sick or injured.
  • Be used in the home.
  • Expect to last at least 3 years.

However, many items that improve a senior’s quality of life or safety, like certain home modifications, don't always fall under this definition or strict coverage rules.

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover hearing aids or exams for fitting them 2. This is a frequent point of confusion and frustration for many seniors and their families.

For your parent to get coverage for hearing aids, they would need to have a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) 3. These plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t, including coverage for hearing aids, vision, and dental care.

  • Original Medicare (Part A & B): No coverage for hearing aids or routine hearing exams.
  • Medicare Advantage (Part C): Many plans offer some coverage for hearing aids. The amount of coverage, specific providers, and out-of-pocket costs will vary greatly by plan. Your parent would need to research plans available in their area to see what is offered.

If your parent has Original Medicare and needs help with hearing aid costs, they might explore other options:

  • Medicaid: If your parent qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid, some state Medicaid programs may offer assistance with hearing aids.
  • Veteran Benefits: If your parent is a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may provide hearing aids. 4
  • Non-profits and Manufacturers: Some non-profit organizations or hearing aid manufacturers offer programs to help reduce costs.

You can learn more about Hearing Aids, including guides and comparisons.

Does Medicare Cover Stairlifts?

Medicare does not cover stairlifts. Stairlifts are considered home modifications, not Durable Medical Equipment (DME). While a stairlift can greatly improve an elder's ability to live safely at home, Medicare does not view it as a medical necessity in the same way it views a wheelchair.

This means the full cost of a stairlift would be out-of-pocket for your parent.

If your parent needs a stairlift for safety reasons, consider these options:

  • Medicaid Waivers: Some state Medicaid programs offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers. These waivers can sometimes cover home modifications, including stairlifts, to help people stay in their homes instead of going to a nursing facility 5. Eligibility and coverage vary significantly by state.
  • Veteran Benefits: The VA may offer grants for home modifications to veterans with certain service-connected disabilities 4.
  • State and Local Programs: Some states, counties, or local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) may have programs or grants for home modifications. You can find your local AAA on Eldercare.gov 6.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance: If your parent has a long-term care insurance policy, it might cover home modifications like stairlifts. Check their specific policy details.
  • Reverse Mortgages or Home Equity: These financial tools are often used by seniors to pay for home modifications, but they come with significant considerations and should be fully understood before pursuing.

For more detailed information see our resources on Stairlifts.

Does Medicare Cover Accessible Tubs (Walk-In Tubs)?

Similar to stairlifts, Medicare does not cover accessible tubs or walk-in tubs. These are also considered home modifications. While a walk-in tub can prevent falls and make bathing safer for seniors, Medicare does not categorize them as DME.

The cost of a walk-in tub, including installation, would be entirely your parent's responsibility.

If your parent needs an accessible tub, the options are similar to those for stairlifts:

  • Medicaid Waivers: As mentioned, some state Medicaid HCBS waivers might offer assistance with home modifications like walk-in tubs if they are deemed medically necessary to keep your parent out of an institutional setting 5.
  • Veteran Benefits: The VA might provide help through grants for home modifications for eligible veterans 4.
  • State and Local Programs: Check with your state or local Area Agencies on Aging 6 for any available programs or grants for home safety modifications.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance: Some long-term care policies may offer benefits for home modifications.
  • Home Equity: Using home equity is another way to fund these types of updates. Be sure to explore all pros and cons.

It’s important to note that very rarely, if a physician specifically prescribes a shower chair or commode for a temporary medical condition, Medicare Part B might cover that particular piece of portable equipment. This is different from a permanent installation like a walk-in tub.

For more about bathroom safety upgrades, see our Bathroom Upgrades section and more specifically Best Walk-In Tubs.

Next Steps

Understanding Medicare's limitations is key to planning for your parent's future needs.

  1. Review Their Current Plan: If your parent has Original Medicare, consider if a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) might offer better coverage for items like hearing aids. Remember that open enrollment periods apply to switching plans.
  2. Explore State and Local Resources: Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) 6 to ask about programs, grants, or financial assistance for home modifications in your area.
  3. Check Other Benefits: If your parent is a veteran, explore VA benefits 4. If they have low income, check if they might qualify for Medicaid or programs that help with Medicare costs.
  4. Budget and Plan: For items not covered by Medicare or other programs, help your parent budget for these necessary expenses.

Navigating care for an aging parent is a journey. Knowing what Medicare does and does not cover is a big part of effective financial planning.

  1. Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Coverage ↩

  2. Hearing aids ↩

  3. Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) ↩

  4. VA Caregiver Support ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) ↩ ↩

  6. Eldercare Locator ↩ ↩ ↩

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Lisbeth Cano Clinical Researcher and Elder Advocate

Meet the author: Lisbeth Cano earned her medical degree from Universidad de Iberoamérica in Costa Rica and worked as a doctor before becoming a clinical researcher. She now focuses on senior care, writing evidence-based guides for SeniorCanvas.com to help families make safer, smarter decisions for aging parents.