Does Medicare Cover Stairlifts? What Maryland Residents Need to Know
By Bedco Mobility | Updated 2025 | Reading time: approximately 12 minutes
“Does Medicare cover stairlifts?” is one of the most common questions we hear at Bedco Mobility — and one of the most important, because for many Maryland families, the answer shapes whether and how they move forward with a stairlift purchase.
We are going to give you the straight answer up front, and then spend the rest of this guide walking you through every realistic funding option available to Maryland residents — because while Medicare itself is not the answer, there are more paths to financial assistance than most people realize.
Bedco Mobility has been installing stairlifts in Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia for over 60 years. We are a third-generation Baltimore family business founded in 1912. We have helped thousands of Maryland families navigate the stairlift purchase process, including the payment side — and we have seen every funding scenario imaginable. This guide reflects what we know actually works for Maryland residents.
The Direct Answer: Does Medicare Cover Stairlifts?
No. Original Medicare — Parts A and B — does not cover stairlifts.
This is a firm, clear answer. Medicare does not pay for stairlift purchase or installation, and there is no workaround under original Medicare that changes this.
The reason comes down to how Medicare classifies medical expenses. Medicare covers Durable Medical Equipment (DME) — things like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and oxygen equipment — when they are deemed medically necessary. Stairlifts, however, are classified by Medicare as a home modification rather than durable medical equipment. Home modifications are not covered under Medicare Parts A or B, regardless of the medical necessity involved.
This classification has frustrated many seniors and their families, and there is ongoing advocacy to change it. But as of 2025, original Medicare coverage for stairlifts is not available.
Now — here is where it gets more nuanced and more useful. While original Medicare says no, there are several other programs and options that say yes, or at least maybe. We are going to walk through all of them.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) — Sometimes, It Depends
Medicare Advantage plans — also called Medicare Part C — are private insurance plans that replace original Medicare and are required to cover everything original Medicare covers, but may also offer additional benefits beyond that baseline.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for home modifications, which can include stairlifts. This is not guaranteed — it varies significantly from plan to plan, and even within the same insurance company, different plan tiers may offer different home modification benefits.
How to find out if your Medicare Advantage plan covers stairlifts
The most direct approach:
- Call the member services number on the back of your Medicare Advantage card.
- Ask specifically: “Does my plan cover home modifications? Specifically, does it cover stairlifts or chair lifts?”
- Ask whether a physician’s letter of medical necessity would affect coverage.
- If coverage exists, ask what the process is — whether pre-authorization is required, whether there is a specific supplier network, and what documentation is needed.
Some Medicare Advantage plans that serve the Maryland and DC Metro area have included home modification benefits in recent years. It is worth making this call before assuming the answer is no. The worst that happens is you confirm there is no coverage — which takes five minutes.
A note on physician letters of medical necessity
Even if your Medicare Advantage plan does not automatically cover stairlifts, some plans will consider coverage if a physician documents that the stairlift is medically necessary to prevent falls, enable the patient to access essential areas of the home, or allow the patient to remain in their home rather than entering a care facility. If your doctor believes a stairlift is medically necessary for your situation, ask them to put that in writing. It may not change the outcome, but it costs nothing to have and can make a difference in some cases.
Maryland Medicaid — Real Assistance for Qualifying Residents
For Maryland residents who qualify for Medicaid, there is meaningful potential for stairlift assistance — though it requires navigating the right program and confirming current availability.
Maryland Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
Maryland Medicaid operates several Home and Community-Based Services waiver programs designed specifically to help eligible individuals remain in their homes rather than entering nursing facilities or assisted living. These waivers can fund home modifications — including stairlifts — for qualifying participants.
The most relevant Maryland Medicaid waiver programs for stairlift assistance include:
- Community First Choice (CFC) — provides services and supports to help Medicaid-eligible individuals with disabilities live in the community. Home modification assistance may be available under this program.
- Community Personal Assistance Services and Supports (CPAS) — a Maryland Medicaid program providing community-based services including home modifications for eligible individuals.
- Older Adults Waiver — specifically for Maryland seniors who meet both Medicaid eligibility and functional need criteria. Home modifications to support aging in place may be funded through this waiver.
How to pursue Maryland Medicaid coverage for a stairlift
- Confirm Medicaid eligibility. Maryland Medicaid has income and asset requirements. If you are not currently enrolled, contact Maryland Medicaid at 1-800-492-5231 or visit mmcp.health.maryland.gov.
- Contact your Medicaid case manager if you are already enrolled and ask specifically about home modification assistance and which waiver programs you are eligible for.
- If you are not enrolled, contact your local Department of Social Services or the Maryland Access Point helpline at 1-844-627-5465 — they can help connect you to the right programs and determine eligibility.
- Be aware that waiver program funding is limited and sometimes has waiting lists. Starting this process early — ideally before the stairlift need becomes urgent — gives you the best chance of accessing available funding.
What if I do not currently qualify for Medicaid?
Medicaid eligibility is based on income and assets. Many middle-income Maryland families do not qualify. If that describes your situation, skip ahead to the financing and VA benefit sections — those are likely to be more relevant for you.
Veterans Benefits — Significant Help for Maryland’s Veteran Community
Maryland has one of the largest veteran populations in the country — over 400,000 veterans call Maryland home, with tens of thousands more in Northern Virginia and the DC area. If you or a family member served in the U.S. military, VA benefits may be your most significant source of stairlift funding.
VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant
The HISA grant is specifically designed for home modifications that improve or sustain a veteran’s ability to function in their home. It is one of the most directly applicable VA benefits for stairlift funding.
- Service-connected disability: Up to $6,800 in lifetime HISA benefit
- Non-service-connected disability: Up to $2,000 in lifetime HISA benefit
A stairlift typically qualifies as an eligible home modification under the HISA grant. For veterans with a service-connected disability, the $6,800 benefit can cover a meaningful portion of a straight stairlift or contribute significantly to a curved unit.
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant and Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant
These grants are available to veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities and provide substantially larger amounts — up to $109,986 for the SAH grant and up to $22,036 for the SHA grant in fiscal year 2025. Eligibility requirements are more specific and the qualifying disabilities more severe, but for veterans who do qualify, these grants can fund a stairlift and much more.
VA Aid and Attendance Benefit
The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly pension supplement for veterans (and surviving spouses of veterans) who need assistance with daily activities — including navigating stairs. It is not a one-time grant but a recurring monthly payment that can be used for any qualifying care or assistance need, including a stairlift payment or rental.
Many Maryland veterans who are unaware of this benefit are eligible for it. The monthly amounts can be meaningful — up to $2,300/month for a veteran with a dependent spouse in 2025. This benefit is separate from and in addition to regular VA pension benefits.
To apply for Aid and Attendance, contact your nearest VA regional office — there are offices in Baltimore, DC, and Northern Virginia — or contact a VA-accredited claims agent or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the American Legion, VFW, or DAV for free application assistance.
How Bedco Mobility helps Maryland veterans
We have worked with many Maryland veterans navigating VA benefits for stairlift purchases. While we cannot process VA applications on your behalf, we can provide the documentation you need for a VA claim — including product specifications, itemized pricing, and installation details — and we can connect you with resources in the Maryland veteran community. Ask us about this at your free estimate.
Maryland Area Agencies on Aging — Local Grants and Programs
Maryland’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are county and regional organizations that administer state and federal funding for programs that help older adults remain in their homes and communities. Many of these programs include home modification assistance — and stairlifts frequently qualify.
Maryland’s AAA network
Each county in Maryland has a designated Area Agency on Aging. Key contacts for our primary service areas:
- Baltimore City: Baltimore City Department of Aging — (410) 396-4440
- Baltimore County: Baltimore County Department of Aging — (410) 887-2109
- Montgomery County: Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services — (240) 777-3000
- Prince George’s County: Prince George’s County Aging Services — (301) 265-8450
- Howard County: Howard County Office on Aging and Independence — (410) 313-6420
- Anne Arundel County: Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities — (410) 222-4257
For Northern Virginia residents, the Northern Virginia Area Agency on Aging (703-324-5411) and local county departments of aging serve this function.
Maryland Access Point
If you are not sure which program or office to contact, the Maryland Access Point helpline at 1-844-627-5465 is a single point of entry for older adults and people with disabilities seeking information about services and programs. They can help identify which local programs might be available to you and connect you with the right offices.
What funding is available varies
We want to be straightforward here: the availability and amount of AAA home modification funding varies by county, changes from year to year as funding cycles, and often has income eligibility requirements. Some programs have waiting lists. We mention these programs because they are real and have helped Maryland residents pay for stairlifts — but we cannot guarantee what will be available when you apply. Starting the inquiry early gives you the best chance of accessing whatever is currently available.
Long-Term Care Insurance
If you or a family member has a long-term care insurance policy — purchased in earlier years as preparation for future care costs — it is worth reviewing carefully for home modification benefits.
Policies vary enormously. Some long-term care insurance policies include explicit coverage for home modifications that allow the policyholder to remain at home, sometimes up to a specified dollar amount per year. Others do not mention home modifications at all. The key language to look for in your policy is “home modification benefit,” “home care benefit,” or “alternative care benefit.”
If you cannot determine coverage from reading the policy, call the insurer directly and ask: “Does my policy cover home modifications? Specifically, would a stairlift installation be covered?”
If your policy includes a home modification benefit that covers stairlifts, you will likely need documentation from a physician or occupational therapist confirming the medical necessity, along with an itemized quote from a licensed installer — which we can provide.
Financing — Spreading the Cost Without Interest
For Maryland families who do not qualify for grants or insurance coverage, financing is often the most practical path to making a stairlift affordable.
Bedco Mobility offers financing through Synchrony, one of the country’s largest consumer financing companies. Current financing options include:
- No-interest financing for qualified buyers — spread the cost of a new stairlift over a set period without paying interest
- Extended payment plans for those who prefer lower monthly payments over a longer period
Financing approval is based on a standard credit application and takes only a few minutes at the time of your estimate. Ask us about current terms and promotional offers when you call.
For buyers who cannot qualify for traditional financing, a reconditioned stairlift is often the most accessible option — with installed prices starting around $2,000 for a straight unit, the upfront cost is significantly lower. Read more about used stairlift costs in our full Maryland Stairlift Cost Guide →
Stairlift Rental — When Buying Is Not the Right Answer
For short-term or uncertain situations, rental avoids the upfront cost of purchase entirely.
Bedco Mobility’s stairlift rental program provides brand-new units at monthly rates typically ranging from $150–$350 per month. Rental is particularly well-suited to:
- Post-surgery recovery (hip replacement, knee replacement, back surgery) where the need is temporary
- Families waiting for VA benefit approval or Medicaid coverage to come through
- Situations where the long-term plan is uncertain (considering a move, evaluating care options)
- Anyone who wants to try a stairlift before committing to a purchase
Our rental units can be converted to a permanent purchase at any time, with rental payments potentially applied toward the purchase price — ask us about our current rental-to-purchase terms.
Other Potential Sources of Funding
Beyond the main programs listed above, there are several additional sources worth knowing about for Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia residents:
USDA Rural Development Programs
For Maryland residents in rural areas — parts of Western Maryland, the Eastern Shore, and some parts of Southern Maryland — the USDA Rural Development program offers grants and low-interest loans for home repairs and improvements for low-income homeowners. Home modifications for safety and accessibility may qualify. Contact USDA Rural Development at (410) 757-0861 for Maryland inquiries.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs
Many Maryland counties and municipalities administer Community Development Block Grant funds through HUD, some of which are directed toward home modification assistance for low-to-moderate income homeowners. Availability and eligibility vary by county. Contact your county housing department to ask whether a home modification assistance program is available.
Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together is a national nonprofit with local chapters that provides free home repairs and modifications for low-income homeowners, particularly seniors and people with disabilities. Rebuilding Together has chapters serving the Baltimore and DC Metro areas. Visit rebuildingtogether.org or call their national helpline to find your local chapter and ask about eligibility and waitlists.
Charitable and Faith-Based Organizations
Some local charitable organizations, community foundations, and faith communities in Maryland provide direct financial assistance or volunteer labor for home modifications. If you are connected to a faith community or local organization, it is worth asking whether they have any programs or connections that could help.
Home Equity Options
For homeowners with equity in their Maryland property, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance can provide access to funds for home modifications at typically lower interest rates than personal loans or credit cards. For a stairlift installation — particularly a curved unit — this can be a practical way to manage the cost, especially since a stairlift can actually enhance your home’s accessibility and market appeal to buyers who need it.
How to Approach the Payment Question — Our Honest Advice
After 60+ years of helping Maryland families through this process, here is what we tell people when they come to us concerned about how to pay for a stairlift:
Start with the calls you can make today. Call your Medicare Advantage plan if you have one. Call the VA if you are a veteran. Call your county’s Area Agency on Aging. These calls take minutes and could save you thousands of dollars. Many families assume these avenues will not apply to them without ever asking — and some of them are wrong.
Do not let payment uncertainty delay the estimate. Getting a free in-home estimate from us costs you nothing and commits you to nothing. Once you have an actual price in hand, you can make a much more informed decision about which payment path makes sense. Without a real price, the payment question is abstract. With a real price, it becomes concrete and solvable.
Be honest with us about budget constraints. We are not here to sell you the most expensive stairlift — we are here to find the right solution for your situation. If budget is tight, a reconditioned unit, a rental, or a financed new unit may be the answer. We will present all the options honestly and let you decide.
Do not wait until a fall happens. We hear this more than anything else: families who wish they had acted sooner. A stairlift is a preventive investment. Falls on stairs are one of the leading causes of injury for older adults — and in many cases, the stairlift cost is a fraction of a single emergency room visit, let alone hospitalization or rehabilitation. The cost is real, but so is the cost of not acting.
Frequently Asked Questions — Medicare and Stairlift Payment
Q: Does Medicare Part B cover stairlifts?
No. Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME) and outpatient medical services. Stairlifts are classified as home modifications rather than DME and are not covered under Part B.
Q: Does Medicare Part A cover stairlifts?
No. Medicare Part A covers hospital inpatient care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. It does not cover home modifications or stairlift purchase.
Q: Does Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance cover stairlifts?
No. Medigap plans supplement original Medicare — they cover costs that Medicare covers, such as copayments and deductibles. Since original Medicare does not cover stairlifts, Medigap plans do not cover them either.
Q: Can my doctor write a prescription for a stairlift to make Medicare cover it?
No. A physician prescription or letter of medical necessity does not make stairlifts eligible for Medicare coverage. Medicare’s classification of stairlifts as home modifications rather than DME is not changed by a physician’s recommendation. However, a letter of medical necessity may be relevant for Medicare Advantage plans, VA claims, Medicaid waivers, or long-term care insurance claims — so it is worth having if your doctor supports it.
Q: Does Medicaid cover stairlifts in Maryland?
Potentially yes, for qualifying individuals, through Maryland Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services waiver programs. Eligibility is based on income, assets, and functional need. Contact the Maryland Access Point at 1-844-627-5465 or your county’s Department of Social Services for guidance on eligibility and the application process.
Q: What VA benefits are available for stairlifts?
The most directly applicable VA benefit is the HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) grant — up to $6,800 for service-connected disabilities, up to $2,000 for non-service-connected. The Aid and Attendance monthly pension benefit is also widely used. Veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities may qualify for significantly larger SAH or SHA grants. Contact your VA regional office or a Veterans Service Organization for free claims assistance.
Q: Is there any grant program specifically for stairlifts in Maryland?
There is no single statewide Maryland grant program exclusively for stairlifts. However, a combination of county AAA programs, Medicaid waivers, VA benefits, and HUD CDBG funds can all potentially contribute to stairlift costs for qualifying individuals. The right program depends on your specific circumstances — income, veteran status, disability status, and county of residence all matter.
Q: How do I apply for financial assistance for a stairlift in Maryland?
Start with one or more of these contacts: Maryland Access Point (1-844-627-5465) for general guidance, your county’s Area Agency on Aging for local programs, the VA regional office for veteran benefits, and Maryland Medicaid (1-800-492-5231) for Medicaid programs. For financing, ask us at your free Bedco Mobility estimate — we can set up Synchrony financing in minutes.
Q: How much does a stairlift cost in Maryland if I have to pay out of pocket?
A new straight stairlift typically runs $3,500–$6,500 installed. A new curved stairlift runs $10,000–$20,000+ depending on staircase complexity. Used/reconditioned stairlifts start around $2,000 installed. Read our full Maryland Stairlift Cost Guide for a detailed breakdown.
The Bottom Line
Medicare does not cover stairlifts — but that is not the end of the story for most Maryland families. Between Medicare Advantage plan benefits, VA grants and pensions, Maryland Medicaid waivers, county AAA programs, long-term care insurance, and Bedco Mobility’s own no-interest financing options, there are genuine paths to making a stairlift affordable for a wide range of situations and budgets.
The most important next step is the same regardless of which payment path applies to you: get a real price from a real local company. Everything else — the grants, the VA claims, the financing — becomes easier to navigate once you have an actual number in hand.
Bedco Mobility offers free, no-pressure in-home estimates throughout Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. Call us at (410) 825-1440 (Baltimore area) or (301) 585-0700 (Washington area), or use the form below to request your estimate.
Bedco Mobility has been helping Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia families navigate stairlift decisions for over 60 years. We are a third-generation local family business founded in Baltimore in 1912. Our factory-certified technicians install every stairlift we sell — we never subcontract. We would be honored to help your family too.
Related Articles
- How Much Does a Stairlift Cost in Maryland? (2025 Price Guide)
- Stairlift vs. Home Elevator — Which Is Right for Your Maryland Home?
- Stairlift Installation in Baltimore, Maryland
- Stairlift Installation in the Maryland DC Metro Area
- Stairlift Installation in Northern Virginia
- Stairlift Installation in Washington, DC