Help Paying for a Lift Chair

A lift chair can greatly improve the quality of life of a person who has difficulty rising from a sitting position, allowing them to lead a more independent life and preventing them from sitting for too long in one position, which causes muscle stiffness and can lead to blood clots in the legs. Lift chairs are generally very comfortable, can be recliners or straight-backs and are adjustable to allow for the elevation of one's feet, for example. They are relatively expensive, but financial assistance is available, and purchasing a used lift chair at a reduced cost may be worth considering.

Medicare

• Power lift chairs range in price from $600 to $1,500 on average. Medicare will partially cover the cost of a lift chair, but will typically cover only 80 percent of the cost of the chair's lifting mechanism, which runs about $300. The individual is left responsible for the remaining 20 percent, as well as the remaining cost of the chair. In order to be eligible for assistance, Medicare requires a Certificate of Medical Necessity. The patient must have severe arthritis of the hip or knee or have a severe neuromuscular disease. The seat lift mechanism must be part of the physician's course of treatment and be prescribed to improve or reduce deterioration of the patient's condition. The patient must also be totally incapable of standing up from a regular armchair on any chair in their home. Once standing, the patient must have the ability to walk independently. Coverage of seat lift mechanisms is limited to types that operate smoothly, can be patient-controlled and are effective in helping the patient to get up and sit down without other help. Lifts with spring release mechanisms that jolt the patient from the chair to a standing position with a sudden catapult-like motion are excluded from coverage, according to Medical Supply Group.

Other Sources

• Medicaid may help pay for a lift chair if you need it for medical reasons. Because each state administers its Medicaid programs independently, coverage may vary. It is best to contact your local Medicaid office for requirements and procedures for proving need. Lift chairs may be considered "durable medical equipment" by a private insurance company and may be covered under a health insurance policy if prescribed by a physician. To know for sure, check with your health insurance agent or review your policy.

Shopping for a Lift Chair

• When looking for a lift chair, it is important to ensure that the model uses an electrical lift system, not a spring lifting system, not only because insurers may not cover a spring lifting chair, but also because of safety issues. Although lift chair manufacturers stopped making spring lift models years ago, if you are considering a used chair, it could still be a spring lifting one, depending upon the age of the chair. Lift chairs are generally classified by the degree that they recline, their size, fabric type and other features, such as heat, massage and backup batteries, which are built into some models. Some even have built-in refrigerators. Used lift chairs may be advertised in the classifieds of your local newspaper or be available in a medical supply store. The chairs depreciate about 15 percent for every year of use, so you'll need to know approximately what the chair cost when it was new and how old it is to know how much you should be paying. If you are looking for a lift chair for temporary use, if you have just had surgery, for example, you may want to look into renting one from a medical supply store. The cost of renting a lift chair varies from $50 to $125 per week, and some companies require a deposit.