Did you know that millions of Americans suffer from limited mobility?  Simple everyday tasks become incredibly difficult: lifting items, walking up the stairs, even getting up out of a chair can become an exhausting task.  For those people, power lift chairs are a godsend.  However, power lift chairs aren't cheap - basic barebones units cost $500, and chairs with all the fixings can run upwards of $2000-$3000!  However, for those who need a power lift chair but can't afford it, there is help out there.  If a person is needs a power lift chair and are currently enrolled in medicare, they can get up to a $300 reimbursement towards a power lift chair.

In the early 1990's, we can say that it was they "heyday" of lift chairs: medicare offered full reimbursement for the entire cost!  It wasn't long before the system became abused, and in the late 1990's medicare began closing the loopholes.  Unfortunately, those who truly need the assistance are the losers in this situation.  Medicare has since stopped reimbursing for the full cost of the lift chair, and instead will only pay up to $300 for the lift mechanism in the chair and not the chair itself.  Obviously, the goal was to pay for only the mechanical device that was designed to help the user, and not fancy upgrades like Italian leather, heat, and massage functions.

Medicare has very strict requirements when it comes to lift chair reimbursement .  The following requirements must be met before a person can be reimbursed:

1. The person must have a genuine need for a power lift chair.  This means that said person must have difficulty getting up from every seat in the house, and not just some of them.  Generally speaking, this means that the person must suffer from a debilitating injury or disability, like arthritis, fibromyalgia,or limb injuries.
2. A lift chair must provide the person mobility and freedom.  This means that the person must be able to stand up from the lift chair and walk without the assistance of a caretaker.
3. A doctor's prescription is a must.  Medicare requires a prescription for any type of durable medical equipment, and it must be part of a treatment plan that is designed to stop the progression of the patient's injuries or disabilities
4. Finally, a doctor's prescription is only the beginning.  The physician will also need to provide a written statement that explains why the lift chair is a medical necessity.


While the medicare regulations regarding lift chairs are very strict, it's comforting to know that help is out there.  Most people choose to purchase the chair first and get reimbursed later, since the approval process is actually quite smooth, assuming you meet all the requirements.  Lift chairs are very expensive, but with the right help are more affordable than most people would think.