Does Medicare Cover Shower Chairs? 2027 Rules and Options
Reviewed October 14, 2026. No, Original Medicare generally does not cover shower chairs, bath benches or grab bars. Medicare treats them as comfort or convenience items rather than durable medical equipment (DME), so Part B won’t pay even with a doctor’s note. A bedside commode chair can be covered when it’s medically necessary, and some Medicare Advantage plans include bathroom safety devices or a medical alert system as an extra benefit for 2027.
Quick answer: Will Medicare pay for a shower chair? Not under Original Medicare. Your options are a Medicare Advantage plan that lists bathroom safety devices, Medicaid home and community-based services in your state, or buying one yourself (an FSA or HSA may help if you have one). Medical alert systems such as Life Alert also aren’t covered by Original Medicare, but some Medicare Advantage plans and Medicaid waivers cover a personal emergency response system (PERS).
Are shower chairs covered by Medicare?
Medicare Part B covers DME only when the item is durable, used for a medical reason, typically only useful to someone who is sick or injured, used in your home and expected to last at least 3 years. (Medicare.gov: DME coverage) Shower chairs and tub benches don’t meet the “medical reason” test in Medicare’s eyes. CMS’s national coverage list for DME (NCD 280.1) classes bathtub seats as comfort or convenience items that are “not primarily medical in nature,” and grab bars as self-help devices. (CMS NCD 280.1)
That’s why a supplier will usually ask you to sign an Advance Beneficiary Notice or pay up front for a shower chair: Medicare is expected to deny it.
What bathroom equipment does Medicare cover?
- Commode chairs: Part B covers a commode chair that your provider prescribes for use in your home when it’s medically necessary, for example if you are confined to your bed or room. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible. (Medicare.gov: Commode chairs) Some 3-in-1 commodes can be placed over a toilet or used in a shower, but Medicare pays for them as commodes, not as shower chairs.
- Not covered: shower chairs, transfer benches, bath lifts sold as bathing aids, grab bars, raised toilet seats and non-slip mats.
In 2026 the Part B deductible is $283 and the standard premium is $202.90 a month; CMS hasn’t published the 2027 amounts yet. (CMS 2026 fact sheet) For the full list of covered equipment, see our guide to Medicare coverage of durable medical equipment.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover shower chairs in 2027?
Some do. Since 2019 CMS has allowed Medicare Advantage plans to offer home and bathroom safety devices and in-home support services as supplemental benefits, and CMS guidance says plans may provide non-Medicare-covered safety devices to prevent injuries in the bathroom. (HHS ASPE summary; Medicare Managed Care Manual, ch. 4)
Plans that offer it may list “bathroom safety devices,” “home safety” or “in-home support” in the 2027 Summary of Benefits, or let you buy safety items with an OTC allowance. Look for those terms when you compare plans during Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7, 2026), and check the Evidence of Coverage for limits. Our OTC card guide explains how allowances work.
Are Life Alert systems covered by Medicare?
Original Medicare doesn’t cover medical alert systems. CMS’s DME coverage list denies telephone alert systems because they are emergency communication systems that don’t serve a diagnostic or therapeutic purpose. (CMS NCD 280.1)
Medicare Advantage plans may cover an in-home personal emergency response device as a supplemental benefit (CMS says this can’t include a cell phone). Medicaid home and community-based waivers in many states also cover a PERS; for example, Virginia’s waivers list a personal emergency response system. (Medicaid.gov: Virginia waivers) Check whether a plan names a specific vendor before you buy one yourself.
Other ways to get a shower chair
- Medicaid: if you have Medicaid or are dual eligible, ask your state Medicaid plan or waiver case manager about bathing aids and home modifications. See Medicaid vs Medicare.
- Area Agency on Aging: local agencies and loan closets often lend bathing aids.
- Home modifications: read Medicare’s coverage for bathroom modifications and walk-in showers for seniors.
How to choose a shower chair
Ask your doctor or a physical or occupational therapist which type fits you. Common options are a basic shower stool, a shower chair with back and arms, a tub transfer bench that lets you sit down outside the tub and slide over, and a rolling shower commode. Check the weight capacity, adjustable leg height, rubber feet and whether the seat fits your tub or shower. Medicare Part B covers outpatient occupational therapy when it’s medically necessary, and a therapist can help you pick safe equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover shower chairs with a prescription?
No. A prescription doesn’t change Medicare’s rule that shower chairs are convenience items. A commode chair may be covered when it’s medically necessary.
Will a Medicare Supplement plan pay for a shower chair?
No. Medigap pays only after Medicare approves a service, so it doesn’t cover items Medicare denies.
Does Medicare cover grab bars?
No. Original Medicare classes grab bars as self-help devices. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover bathroom safety devices as an extra benefit.
Does Medicare pay for Life Alert?
Original Medicare doesn’t. Some Medicare Advantage plans and Medicaid waivers cover a personal emergency response system.
Can I use my OTC card for a shower chair?
Possibly. Some Medicare Advantage OTC catalogs include bath safety items. Check your plan’s 2027 catalog or call member services.
This article is general information. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Plan benefits vary by plan and county; check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage.