Medicare Coverage for Home Medical Equipment: Beds, Lift Chairs, and More

When you need help moving around at home, Medicare, a U.S. federal health insurance program primarily for people 65 and older. Also known as Original Medicare, it can help pay for certain medical devices you use at home. This isn’t about new TVs or fancy furniture—it’s about tools that let you stay safe and independent. If you have arthritis, Parkinson’s, or another condition that limits mobility, Medicare might cover a lift chair or a hospital bed, but only if your doctor says it’s medically necessary and you follow the rules.

You can’t just walk into a store, buy a $1,500 lift chair, and expect Medicare to pay. The device must be classified as durable medical equipment—meaning it’s built to last, used for a medical reason, and appropriate for home use. A regular recliner doesn’t count. But a lift chair that helps you stand up without straining your knees? That’s a different story. Same goes for adjustable beds: if your doctor writes a prescription because you have trouble breathing when lying flat or need to reposition often due to pressure sores, Medicare may cover up to 80% of the cost. You’ll need a signed order from your doctor, proof of diagnosis, and the equipment must come from a Medicare-approved supplier. Many people miss this step and end up paying full price.

It’s not just chairs and beds. Medicare also covers things like walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen equipment—but only if they’re prescribed and meet strict guidelines. The key is documentation. Without a proper prescription and supplier paperwork, you’re on your own. That’s why so many seniors end up paying out of pocket for equipment they could’ve gotten covered. This page pulls together real questions and real answers from people who’ve gone through the process. You’ll find guides on how to get a lift chair approved, what types of beds qualify, what your doctor needs to write, and how to avoid common mistakes that delay or deny coverage. No fluff. No jargon. Just what actually works.