Short answer: Original Medicare covers only a limited group of bathroom-related items. It does not generally cover grab bars, raised toilet seats, bathtub seats, bathtub lifts, shower chairs, or other equipment bought mainly for safety, comfort, or convenience.
Original Medicare coverage
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary durable medical equipment when the item meets Medicare’s definition of DME and a qualified provider orders it for use in the home. The item must be durable, used for a medical reason, generally useful only to a person who is sick or injured, and expected to last at least three years. The CMS DME Reference List identifies bathtub lifts, bathtub seats, toilet seats, and many similar items as noncovered convenience or hygiene equipment.
A commode chair may be covered when it is ordered for home use and the person is confined to a bedroom. This is different from a raised toilet seat or a toilet-seat lift. CMS lists a toilet-seat lift mechanism as noncovered.
Eligibility and limits
A provider’s recommendation does not make every bathroom item covered. The item must fall within a Medicare benefit category and satisfy the applicable coverage rules. Permanent changes to a home, including remodeling, are not covered by Original Medicare.
Costs
For covered DME, the Part B deductible applies. The beneficiary generally pays 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. The beneficiary pays the full cost of a noncovered bathroom item.
Medicare Advantage
A Medicare Advantage plan must cover Medicare-covered DME, but it may require network suppliers or prior authorization. Some plans offer additional in-home support benefits. These benefits and eligibility rules vary by plan.
What to do next
- Ask the ordering provider for the generic name and billing code of the item.
- Ask whether the item qualifies as DME or is considered a convenience item.
- Use a Medicare-enrolled supplier and ask whether it accepts assignment.
- Check the plan’s Evidence of Coverage if enrolled in Medicare Advantage.
Sources
- Medicare.gov: Durable medical equipment coverage
- CMS: Durable Medical Equipment Reference List
- Medicare.gov: Commode chairs
Last reviewed: August 2026. Medicare rules and plan benefits can change.