How to Pay for Home Modifications: Medicare, Medicaid, VA & More

Not covered under Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans may cover as supplemental benefit.

Covered in most states through HCBS waivers or state plan amendments. Income and functional eligibility required.

Covered through SAH/SHA grants for qualifying veterans. Also available through HISA grants.

Rarely covered. Some long-term care insurance policies may include as part of home modification benefit.

Not covered. Considered a home modification, not durable medical equipment (DME).

Some state waivers cover roll-in shower conversions. Walk-in tubs less commonly covered. Caps typically $5,000–$15,000.

Covered through SAH grants (up to $126,669) and SHA grants (up to $25,334) for qualifying veterans.

Generally not covered. Some long-term care policies may partially cover.

Not covered. Medicare considers stairlifts a "convenience item" rather than medical necessity. Medicare Advantage plans may offer partial coverage.

Covered in some states through HCBS waivers as an alternative to facility placement. Typically requires prior authorization.

Covered through SAH/SHA/HISA grants. Must be prescribed as medically necessary for the veteran's service-connected disability.

Some long-term care insurance and supplemental plans cover stairlifts. Check your specific policy.

Not covered under Original Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans include home accessibility benefits.

Commonly covered through HCBS waivers in most states. Usually requires medical necessity documentation.

Covered under SAH, SHA, and HISA grants. Temporary ramps may also be provided through VA prosthetics.

Rarely covered by standard health insurance. Some long-term care and disability policies may include.

Not covered. Structural home modifications are outside Medicare's scope.

May be covered through HCBS waivers when required for wheelchair access. Subject to state-specific caps.

Covered through SAH/SHA grants as part of wheelchair-accessible home modifications.

Not typically covered by any standard insurance product.

Not covered under Original Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans include PERS (Personal Emergency Response Systems) as a supplemental benefit.

Covered in most states as a Medicaid benefit or through HCBS waivers. Often the most commonly covered assistive technology.

VA provides or subsidizes PERS for veterans enrolled in home-based primary care programs.

Some long-term care policies cover monthly monitoring fees. Medigap plans do not cover.

Not covered under any Medicare program.

Rarely covered even under waivers due to high cost. Some states may approve in exceptional cases.

May be covered through SAH grants for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities.

Not covered by standard insurance. Specialty accessibility policies are extremely rare.

Not covered. Kitchen modifications are considered home improvements, not medical care.

Some state waivers cover specific kitchen adaptations (lowered countertops, pull-out shelving) as part of broader home modification benefits.

Covered as part of SAH/SHA grants for comprehensive home accessibility modifications.

Not covered by any standard insurance product.

Not covered. Lighting modifications are not classified as medical equipment.

Motion-sensor lighting may be covered in some states as a fall prevention measure through HCBS waivers.

May be included in broader home modification grants for qualifying veterans.

Not covered.

Hospital beds and some DME may be covered when medically prescribed. Structural modifications (first-floor conversion) are not covered.

First-floor bedroom conversions may be covered through some state HCBS waivers as alternative to facility care.

Bedroom modifications covered through SAH/SHA grants as part of accessible home design.

DME (hospital beds) may be covered separately. Room conversions are not.