Medicare will cover part of the cost of a lift chair if it’s medically necessary. It will not cover the cost of the chair, but it will cover the lift.

Patient lifts, including seat lifts, are considered durable medical equipment (DME). Medicare generally covers the cost of medically necessary DME prescribed by a healthcare professional for in-home use.

But even though the motorized lifting mechanism is considered DME, the other chair parts are not. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for the frame, cushioning, and upholstery.

If you have tried physical therapy or other treatments to help you go from sitting to standing and they haven’t helped, your healthcare professional may recommend using a seat lift mechanism.

Yet a seat lift is considered medically necessary only in some circumstances. You and your healthcare professional must demonstrate that you:

  • have severe arthritis in your knees or hips or a severe neuromuscular disorder
  • are unable to stand up from a traditional armchair or other at-home chair without assistance
  • can walk independently, with or without a cane or walker, once you’re standing
  • do not live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility

Your prescribing physician must participate in Medicare, and you must purchase the chair through a participating DME supplier. The Medicare website has a tool you can use to determine which suppliers near you participate in Medicare.

Medicare will not cover claims submitted by ineligible healthcare professionals or for purchases from ineligible retailers.

Part B is medical insurance. It covers the cost of medically necessary DME prescribed by a healthcare professional for in-home use.

After you meet your Part B deductible — $257 in 2025 — Medicare will pay 80% of the approved cost of your seat lifting mechanism. You’ll be responsible for the other 20%. You’ll also pay for the remaining cost of the chair.

Part C plans, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, must cover the same amount of the approved cost of your seat lifting mechanism as a Part B plan.

Each Part C plan sets its own cost and coverage amounts. The deductible, coinsurance, and premiums you’ll pay depend on your chosen plan.

Medigap is supplemental insurance that can cover your out-of-pocket costs from Original Medicare. This includes your Part B deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

In this scenario, Medigap can cover the other 20% of the seat-lifting mechanism cost you’re responsible for.

Each Medigap plan sets its own cost and coverage amounts. The deductible, coinsurance, and premiums you’ll pay depend on your chosen plan.

You’ll likely pay for the cost of the chair upfront and can then seek partial reimbursement from Medicare. DME suppliers participating in Medicare almost always file the claim on your behalf.

In rare cases, people with Original Medicare (parts A or B) may need to complete their own claims to ensure they’re filed before the 12-month submission window closes.

If your supplier doesn’t file your claim promptly, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 (TTY: 877-486-2048) to discuss your options for submission. You can ask for an extension and get answers to any other questions you have.

Patient lifts, including seat lifts, are often considered capped rental items. Lift chairs are usually rented month-to-month, with Medicare covering a portion of the cost for up to 13 consecutive months.

You automatically assume ownership of the lift chair after 13 consecutive months of renting. You may be responsible for the cost of maintenance or repair after you assume ownership of the lift chair.

Each supplier is different, so asking about your expected financial contributions before, during, and after Medicare reimbursement is important.

Medicare usually covers part of the overall cost for medically necessary DME, including seat lifts and lift chairs.

You must receive a lift chair prescription from a healthcare professional and purchase it from an approved DME supplier.