According to current coding and policies, Medicare does not pay for wheelchair ramps that would allow patients to go up stairs inside or outside of the home. While these ramps are necessary for users to operate equipment inside their home, it is not deemed a medical necessity by Medicare.

No Payment for Outside Use

As with all equipment paid for by Medicare, it is provided for use inside of the home. Access or use outside of the home is considered to not be medically necessary. Equipment that is needed for use outside of the home will not be paid. This is a routine reason that Medicare cites for denials of payment. While Medicare Part B covers a wide array of medical devices, they simply do not pay for equipment that is to be used outside of the home.

Daily Living Aids

Assistive devices or aids for daily living are important devices that can make life much easier for those who need them; however, the cost of these devices is passed along to the user. Medicare does not cover daily living aids despite the necessary role they may play in a person's life. A ramp can raise the quality of a person's life significantly; however, Medicare will not currently pay for them.

Two Kinds of Ramps

Wheelchair ramps can be permanent or portable and are essential for a user to be able to climb stairs. Portable ramps can be purchased for a few hundred dollars and are available in many different lengths as to accommodate for longer or shorter flights of stairs. They fold up and can be carried away so the stairs are unchanged. Permanent ramp systems can be built and are often required for larger flights of stairs. hey are more expensive and can often cost more than $1,000.

Alternative Funding

Medicare Part B may not be willing to pay for a ramp, but alternative sources can be sought when looking to make life easier for yourself or a loved one. Many different charitable organizations are willing to help people raise/locate funding for the services that are currently not provided through Medicare.

Your Opinion Matters

Just because they are not covered now does not mean people cannot fight to have those rules changed. Contact your local congressman and voice your opinion of the current Medicare guidelines. Significant portions of the money that pays for Medicare comes from the people, and the opinion of those who use it matter.

Source:

A Case Decision Concerning Medicare and Ramps

Medicare Guidelines

Alternative Funding