Does Medicare cover bedside commodes?
Medicare covers bedside commodes when they are medically necessary and purchased from a Medicare-approved durable medical equipment supplier. The cost of a commode chair with Medicare is 20% coinsurance after your Part B deductible. Medicare Supplement insurance can help to pay the out-of-pocket costs of a bedside commode with Medicare coverage. Medicare Advantage will cover a commode chair, and out-of-pocket costs will vary.
Read moreFree Medicare Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Michael Leotta
Insurance Operations Specialist
Michael earned a degree in Business Management degree with an insurance focus, which led to a successful 25-year career in insurance claims operations and support. He possesses a high-level of business acumen across multiple areas of the insurance industry. Over the course of his career, he served in multiple roles supporting claims operations including: Claims Specialist, Claims Trainer, Claim Au...
Insurance Operations Specialist
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Medicare covers medically necessary bedside commodes
- Commodes fall under Part B and are subject to deductibles and coinsurance amounts
- A Medicare Supplement plan can cover some or all of the out-of-pocket costs
Does Medicare cover bedside commodes? Yes, as long as the commode is determined to be medically necessary. You will have to pay your Medicare Part B deductible as well as the 20 percent coinsurance for durable medical equipment. If you have Medicare Supplement insurance, you may not have to pay anything out of pocket. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs with a Medicare Advantage health insurance plan will vary.
If you’d like to compare rates for Medicare Supplement insurance to help cover a bedside commode, enter your ZIP code now.
Table of Contents
What commode chair coverage is available with Medicare?
If you have Original Medicare, the commode chairs coverage is 80 percent under the durable medical equipment (DME) section of Medicare Part B. The chair is covered only if deemed medically necessary by a Medicare-approved doctor and purchased from a supplier that is enrolled in the Medicare program.
If you have Medicare Advantage, a bedside commode will be covered, but the coverage level will vary by company. Medicare Advantage providers are private health insurance companies and while they follow Medicare’s rules, some may provide additional coverage for an added premium.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What is the cost of a bedside commode with Medicare?
You will have to pay both your Medicare Part B deductible and the 20 percent durable medical equipment health care coinsurance amount under Original Medicare coverage. What the total out-of-pocket cost will be depends on how much of your deductible remains to be paid and the total cost of the chair.
Medicare Supplement insurance plans are designed to pay for out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by Medicare. There are several levels of coverage available, so the plan you have selected will determine how much you wind up paying if anything.
Medicare Advantage plans, as mentioned above, vary in terms of coverage levels. To find out your out-of-pocket cost for a commode chair, contact your Medicare Advantage provider.
Does Medicare cover bedside commodes? The Bottom Line
Medicare does cover beside commodes as long as it is medically necessary and purchased from a Medicare-approved DME supplier. You will have some out-of-pocket costs unless you have a Medicare Supplement plan or your Medicare Advantage plan covers it in full.
To compare your options for a Medicare-covered commode chair, including Medicare Advantage plans, enter your ZIP code today.
Case Studies: Medicare Coverage for Bedside Commodes
Case Study 1: Mr. Johnson’s Medicare Coverage
Mr. Johnson, a Medicare beneficiary, recently underwent surgery and requires a bedside commode during his recovery period. He purchases a commode chair from a Medicare-approved durable medical equipment supplier. Medicare covers 80% of the medically necessary commode cost under Part B after Mr. Johnson’s deductible.
Medicare Supplement plans cover remaining out-of-pocket expenses.
Case Study 2: Ms. Rodriguez’s Medicare Advantage Coverage
Ms. Rodriguez, who has a Medicare Advantage plan, also needs a bedside commode due to mobility limitations. The coverage for commode chairs varies among Medicare Advantage providers. Ms. Rodriguez contacts her plan to inquire about coverage details and associated costs.
The plan may offer additional coverage for durable medical equipment, but the specifics will depend on her chosen plan.
Case Study 3: Mr. Thompson’s Medicare Supplement Insurance
Mr. Thompson, enrolled in Original Medicare, wants to minimize his out-of-pocket costs for a bedside commode. He has a Medicare Supplement insurance plan, which helps cover the deductibles and coinsurance not paid by Medicare. By having this supplemental coverage, Mr. Thompson may have little to no out-of-pocket expenses for the commode chair.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover bedside commodes?
Yes, Medicare may cover the cost of a bedside commode under certain circumstances. Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States that provides coverage for eligible individuals who are 65 years of age or older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities.
Do I need to meet any specific criteria for Medicare to cover a bedside commode?
Yes, Medicare generally requires that you have a medical need for a bedside commode, such as mobility limitations or certain medical conditions.
Can I rent a bedside commode instead of purchasing one?
Yes, Medicare Part B also covers the rental of a bedside commode if it is deemed medically necessary.
Can I get a bedside commode through a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes, Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover at least the same benefits as Original Medicare, so they should cover bedside commodes if medically necessary.
Can I get a bedside commode covered by Medicare if I live in a nursing home or assisted living facility?
If you reside in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the facility is responsible for providing necessary equipment such as bedside commodes, and Medicare coverage may differ.
Can I appeal if Medicare denies coverage for a bedside commode?
Yes, you have the right to appeal Medicare’s decision if coverage for a bedside commode is denied. Follow the appeals process outlined by Medicare to seek reconsideration.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Michael Leotta
Insurance Operations Specialist
Michael earned a degree in Business Management degree with an insurance focus, which led to a successful 25-year career in insurance claims operations and support. He possesses a high-level of business acumen across multiple areas of the insurance industry. Over the course of his career, he served in multiple roles supporting claims operations including: Claims Specialist, Claims Trainer, Claim Au...
Insurance Operations Specialist
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.