Good for the elderly
Medicare never covers home modifications, such as ramps or widened doors for improving wheelchair access. Though your doctor may suggest that home modifications may help due to your medical condition, Medicare does not include coverage for them under its durable medical equipment (DME) benefit.
Does Medicare cover wheelchair ramps ? Yes, wheelchair ramps fall under the category of Medicare Part B, Durable Medical Equipment (DME), and are therefore covered under the DME provision of the policy. However, the ramp must first be declared “medically necessary” by a licensed physician.
The Habitat for Humanity provides a free handicapped ramp program for disabled, low-income and fixed income seniors. The program sends someone out to evaluate your house and to access your need for the home modification. The materials used to build the ramp are donated and volunteers help with building it.
Here are some factors that should be considered: Stairs typically run about 7.5 inches high each so for three stairs a standard rise or height would be about 22 inches. The ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] recommends 1 foot for ramp for every one inch of rise.
Medicare Part B covers a portion of the purchase or lease of certain approved types of DME (durable medical equipment). You cannot use Part B to cover things like stairlifts, wheelchair ramps or walk-in tubs, as these would be permanently installed in the consumer’s home.
Original Medicare’s policy on wheelchair ramps falls under their policy for Durable Medical Equipment. As such, if the wheelchair ramp is used for a medical purpose, then the ramp is reimbursable. A ramp will have to be medically necessary as declared by a licensed physician.
Drive 6 ft. x 28.5 in. Single Fold Portable Wheelchair Scooter Ramp -stds1097 – The Home Depot .
Drive 3 ft. x 28.5 in. Single Fold Portable Wheelchair Scooter Ramp -stds1094 – The Home Depot .
Generally speaking, walk -in bathtubs or showers are not considered “durable medical equipment” by Original Medicare which means that the plan will not pay to have your tub removed and a walk -in installed. However, the Medicare Advantage plan may help cover the cost of the bath remodel.
Handicap Ramp Material Prices Per Linear Foot
Material | Per Linear Foot |
---|---|
Concrete | $200 – $250 |
Wood | $100 – $250 |
Aluminum | About $150 |
Steel/Metal | $200 – $250 |
Wheelchair ramps are classified as durable medical equipment (DME) under Medicaid as well. This is a federal program for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities and is administered at the state level. That means that a wheelchair ramp can be covered by Medicaid if it is deemed medically necessary.
For example, if an entryway is 36 inches high, you will need a ramp that is at least 36 feet long . The 1:12 slope ratio reduces the steepness of a ramp to 5 degrees of incline and makes it both easier and safer to traverse.
Residential Occupied Use: For residential use when somebody is sitting in the wheelchair or scooter while it climbs the ramp , a 2 :12 slope is often recommended, which means that every 2 ” of vertical rise requires at least 1′ (12″) of ramp (9.5 degrees of incline).
A ramp with a slope between 1:12 and 1:16 can have a maximum horizontal length of 30′ (9.14 m) without a landing . A ramp with a slope between 1:16 and 1:20 can have a horizontal run up to 40′ (12.19 m) before requiring a landing . A ramp is comprised of horizontal sloped runs connected by level landings between runs.
Calculating the Slope Divide the length of the ramp by the height. This will be the second number in your ratio. The first number is always one. If the ramp measures 12 feet long and the rise is 2 feet, you would divide 12 by 2 to get 6, and your ratio would be 1 to 6.