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Will Medicaid Pay for a Walk-In Shower?
Many Medicaid plans offer programs that help seniors cover walk-in showers, including home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers and Money Follows the Person (MFP) initiatives. However, each Medicaid program varies by state.
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AT A GLANCE:
- Medicaid programs often cover medically necessary walk-in tubs and showers, but the level of coverage varies depending on your specific region and whether you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver programs are one of the most reliable ways to cover the cost of walk-in showers, as they provide funds to senior homeowners and loved ones who want to age in place, rather than in nursing homes.
- While Original Medicare and most private insurance companies don’t cover walk-in showers, some Medicare Advantage and long-term care insurance plans, as well as veterans’ benefits and local nonprofits, can help.
While 98.9% of seniors rely on either Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C), these plans classify walk-in bathtubs and showers as home modifications—not durable medical equipment (DME). This often prevents coverage, but if you can’t afford out-of-pocket costs, there are other ways to get financial assistance.
Medicaid waivers vary by state, but will often cover the cost of a walk-in shower or walk-in tub for seniors with mobility issues—as long as you can prove it’s a medical necessity. Many low-income seniors qualify for Medicaid, opening up more affordable financing options for walk-in showers.
Not sure if you qualify? Read on to learn how your state’s unique Medicaid program may be able to help you and your caregivers address in-home bathing concerns.
Financial Assistance Varies By State
Both Medicaid eligibility requirements and benefits are regulated on the state level, meaning that the extent of coverage for walk-in showers depends on where you live. For example, state Medicaid programs might cover medically-necessary installations, such as:
- Assistive technology
- Home modifications
- Environmental accessibility adaptations (EAAs)
California’s Medi-Cal program includes Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that help fund walk-in showers as EAAs. On the other hand, New York’s Medicaid program usually defines them as home modifications. These differences highlight the importance of reviewing your specific state’s Medicaid guidelines to determine what category — and level of financial support — applies to your situation.
To learn more, visit the Medicaid.gov website to find your state’s specific phone number and available programs.
Understanding Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
HCBS waivers are state-specific Community Transition or Institutional Diversion Programs that can help seniors pay for walk-in showers. That’s because, regardless of the state, these waivers help fund the accessibility tools that make in-home care possible for older adults. The goal is to allow seniors to age in place, rather than move to a nursing home.
As mentioned above, HCBS waiver programs vary by state. However, as long as you can prove the walk-in shower installation is a medical necessity, they’re usually included as part of the program’s home safety benefits.
To qualify, you must meet both the financial and medical criteria that demonstrate how the walk-in shower helps you continue living safely at home.
Medicaid Home Modification and Assistive Technology Programs
These state-level programs often fall under and work hand-in-hand with HCBS waivers, helping seniors either move out of nursing homes or avoid them altogether. They focus on making homes safer and more accessible for activities of daily living (ADLs)—funding physical home adaptations and accessibility tools, such as walk-in showers, handheld shower heads, grab bars, and more. Many programs, which vary by state, define these upgrades as environmental accessibility adaptations (EAAs).
In fact, many different home repairs and modifications can receive funding assistance through these programs, as long as they’re deemed essential for returning home and remaining there safely. This makes them especially helpful for seniors transitioning from hospitals or long-term care facilities back to their own homes or those of family members.
Money Follows the Person (MFP)
MFP is a federal program that matches certain state HCBS expenditures, increasing the available funds for seniors trying to remain in their own homes. Through this funding, MFP programs typically cover walk-in showers as part of a broader package of accessibility upgrades, which may also include ramps, handrails, or non-slip flooring. All of these installations are covered because they reduce barriers that could lead to re-hospitalization or falls.
Do I Qualify For Medicaid Grant Programs?
Medicaid eligibility is primarily based on your income, assets, and medical needs, with most seniors over 65 years old qualifying.
However, because each state has a different average cost of living, what’s considered “low-income” also varies. That means Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) limits, which determine eligibility in expensive states like New York or Hawaii, are higher than in affordable states like Mississippi.
To fund specific installations—like walk-in showers, you’ll need to prove that they’re medically necessary to live safely in your home. For example, to qualify for HCBS waiver funds, seniors must be either 65 years old or meet disability requirements, and also demonstrate that the installation is essential for avoiding institutional care. Many states also conduct a functional needs assessment, evaluating how a modification helps with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and mobility.
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, you should contact your state’s Medicaid office or local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Both can explain available waiver programs in your area, outline the documents you’ll need, and guide you through the application process for grants that fund walk-in showers.
Other Ways To Get Financial Assistance for Walk-In Showers
For seniors who don’t qualify for Medicaid or prefer their current health insurance plan, there are alternative methods that can help cover the cost of walk-in showers. Some of the most popular options include:
- Medicare Advantage plans may include supplemental benefits for home safety improvements, such as walk-in showers, which can offer discounts and reimbursements. However, you’ll also be responsible for certain deductibles and copays.
- Veterans Benefits can help senior veterans—especially those who are disabled as a result of their service—cover the cost of walk-in shower installations. Veteran Directed Home and Community-Based Services (VD-HCBS) waivers and Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants are two common methods for doing so.
- USDA Rural Repair & Rehabilitation grants and loans are offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help low-income seniors in rural areas fund medically necessary walk-in showers.
- Nonprofits and charities, such as Habitat for Humanity’s Aging in Place and Rebuilding Together, help pay for bathroom accessibility renovations, like walk-in showers, at little to no cost to senior homeowners.
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are tax-advantage savings accounts seniors can use to withdraw pre-tax funds for walk-in showers—so long as the installation is recommended by your healthcare provider.
Our Takeaway
Many low-income and disabled seniors who could benefit from a walk-in shower can receive financial assistance through Medicaid; however, overall coverage varies by state. Generally speaking, state Medicaid waivers typically cover walk-in shower installations, which play a crucial role in enabling individuals to age in place, rather than in a nursing home.
If you want to live an accessible life free from slips and falls, we recommend visiting your state’s Medicaid website to explore various waivers and initiatives. That way, you can get the best walk-in shower for your situation at an affordable cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
For seniors on Medicaid, several grant programs are available to help cover the cost of medically necessary walk-in showers. HCBS waivers are the most common option, but vary by state, meaning you’ll need to research your state’s specific waiver program beforehand.
Original Medicare coverage typically does not include walk-in showers, as they’re considered home modifications rather than durable medical equipment (DME). Some Medicare Advantage plans will make exceptions if the installation is deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor.
Most low-income seniors, and especially those 65 and older, will qualify for Medicaid. However, eligibility requirements are different in every state, so we recommend contacting your local Medicaid office for more information.
There are several ways to cover the cost of a new walk-in shower. For example, senior veterans can take advantage of VA programs, like Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants. The USDA Rural Repair & Rehabilitation grant can also help seniors in rural areas who lack other options.
Walk-in tub and shower prices vary by features and brand, with enhanced options such as shower chairs, jets, and grab bars adding to the cost. Basic models start around $2,500, while premium models with hydrotherapy options can cost up to $20,000 or more.
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