Medicare Lift Chair: What’s Covered and How to Get It

When you need help getting up from a chair, a Medicare lift chair, a motorized recliner designed to gently raise the user to a standing position. Also known as power lift recliner, it’s not just a luxury—it’s a durable medical equipment that can restore independence for people with mobility issues from arthritis, neuropathy, or recovery after surgery.

Medicare Part B covers lift chairs, but only under strict conditions. It doesn’t pay for the whole thing. It covers the lifting mechanism—the motorized lift part—as durable medical equipment, not the chair frame, fabric, or cushions. You need a doctor’s note proving medical necessity, like trouble standing from a regular chair due to a diagnosed condition. You also have to get the chair from a Medicare-approved supplier. Many people get denied because they buy online from non-participating retailers or skip the paperwork.

It’s not just about the chair. You’ll need a face-to-face evaluation with your doctor, a written order, and proof that you tried other options like walkers or grab bars. Medicare won’t cover it if you just want comfort—it has to be essential for daily living. And while some companies claim "Medicare-approved lift chairs," that’s misleading. Only the lift component is covered, and only if all rules are followed.

People often confuse lift chairs with hospital beds, but they’re different. Hospital beds are covered too under Medicare, but only if you need full-body support, positioning, or pressure relief. A lift chair is for people who can sit and stand but need mechanical help. The key difference? Lift chairs are for living rooms. Hospital beds are for bedrooms or recovery rooms.

What you’ll find in this collection are real stories and clear guides: how to fill out the forms, which brands have the best lift mechanisms approved by Medicare, how much you’ll actually pay out of pocket after coverage, and why some people get approved in weeks while others wait months. You’ll also see what happens when you buy the wrong model, how to avoid scams, and what to do if Medicare denies your claim. These aren’t generic tips—they’re from people who’ve been through it, with receipts, doctor notes, and exact model numbers that worked.