Medicare Lift Chair Coverage: What’s Really Covered and What You Need to Know

When you’re dealing with mobility issues, a lift chair, a specialized recliner that helps users stand up safely by raising the seat. Also known as power lift recliner, it’s not just a luxury—it’s often a medical necessity for people with arthritis, joint pain, or recovery from surgery. But here’s the thing: Medicare lift chair coverage isn’t automatic. Many people assume Medicare pays for these chairs like it does for wheelchairs or walkers. It doesn’t. Not fully. And that’s where most people get stuck.

Medicare Part B may cover part of the cost—but only if the chair meets strict criteria. It has to be classified as durable medical equipment, a device used for medical reasons that can withstand repeated use. Also known as DME, this category includes things like hospital beds, oxygen tanks, and yes, sometimes lift chairs. But here’s the catch: Medicare only covers the lift mechanism, not the entire chair. That means you pay for the frame, fabric, and styling yourself. If your chair costs $1,200, Medicare might pay $300 for the lift motor—and only if your doctor says you need it to improve mobility, not just for comfort.

Who qualifies? You need a face-to-face evaluation from your doctor, a written order stating the chair is medically necessary, and proof you can’t stand from a regular chair without help. If you have severe knee or hip pain, spinal stenosis, or muscle weakness, you might qualify. But if you’re just tired of getting up from your couch, you won’t. And don’t skip the paperwork—many suppliers won’t even submit claims without the right forms.

There’s also a big difference between what’s covered and what’s sold. Some companies push high-end models with heat, massage, and multiple reclining positions. Those extras? Not covered. Stick to the basics: a single-motor lift, sturdy frame, and reliable safety features. That’s all Medicare cares about.

And don’t assume your supplemental insurance will pick up the rest. Some plans do, some don’t. Always check with your provider before buying. The last thing you want is to shell out $1,000 and then find out you’re on the hook for the full amount.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t about Medicare rules—but it’s all connected. If you’re using a lift chair, or thinking about one, you’re also thinking about posture, long-term comfort, and safety. You’ll see how sitting wrong in a recliner can hurt your back, why sleeping in one every night isn’t a fix, and how to stop sliding down if you’re helping an elderly loved one. These aren’t random articles. They’re the real-world details that come after you get the chair—and they matter just as much as the coverage.