Get a physician's written prescription documenting a qualifying medical condition, then purchase through a Medicare-enrolled supplier — that process allows Medicare Part B to reimburse the motorized lift mechanism portion of the chair's cost.

Medicare Part B covers the lift mechanism itself (not the chair frame or padding) under the Durable Medical Equipment benefit when a doctor certifies the equipment is medically necessary. The supplier must be enrolled with Medicare and bill on your behalf. Private insurance and Medicaid policies vary significantly — some mirror Medicare's criteria, others require separate prior authorization. Purchasing a lift chair directly through Amazon or a retail website does not qualify for Medicare reimbursement regardless of diagnosis.

  • Medicare Part B covers the motorized lift mechanism only — not the full lift chair purchase price.
  • Reimbursement requires a physician's written prescription and a Medicare-enrolled supplier; retail purchases are excluded.
  • Medicare typically reimburses a fixed allowance for the lift mechanism, leaving the remaining chair cost to the beneficiary.
  • Medicaid lift chair coverage varies by state; eligibility criteria and covered amounts differ from Medicare's rules.
  • Private insurers may require prior authorization before purchase; approval after the fact is rarely granted.

Important Exceptions

  • Retail purchase already made: If the FUNECORP lift chair was bought through Amazon or a retail site before contacting a Medicare-enrolled supplier, Medicare reimbursement is no longer available for that transaction.
  • Medicaid as primary coverage: Medicaid lift chair benefits are set at the state level — eligibility criteria and reimbursement amounts differ enough from Medicare that a separate state Medicaid inquiry is required before assuming the same process applies.
  • Private insurer prior authorization: Most private insurers require authorization before purchase, not after; approval submitted retroactively is rarely granted, making pre-purchase contact with the insurer mandatory.
  • Condition not on Medicare's qualifying list: A physician's prescription alone is not enough — the documented diagnosis must meet Medicare's specific medical necessity criteria for motorized lift equipment or Part B will deny the claim regardless of supplier enrollment.
  • Veteran's benefits coverage: VA beneficiaries may qualify for lift chair coverage through VA channels under different criteria and suppliers than Medicare Part B; the Medicare-enrolled supplier pathway does not apply to VA claims.

Step-by-Step

  1. Confirm your diagnosis qualifies: Ask your physician whether your condition — such as severe arthritis, muscular dystrophy, or a post-surgical mobility limitation — meets Medicare's medical necessity criteria for a motorized lift chair mechanism.
  2. Get a written prescription from your physician: Request a formal written order that specifies the qualifying diagnosis, documents why the lift mechanism is medically necessary, and includes the physician's NPI number and signature.
  3. Contact your insurer before purchasing: Call Medicare, Medicaid, or your private insurer to confirm coverage criteria, get the applicable HCPCS code (E0627 for the seat lift mechanism), and ask whether prior authorization is required — approval after purchase is rarely granted.
  4. Select a Medicare-enrolled Durable Medical Equipment supplier: Use the Medicare Supplier Directory at medicare.gov to find an enrolled DME supplier; confirm they carry a FUNECORP model that meets your fit requirements, including the 28-inch seat width and 400 lb capacity if applicable.
  5. Have the supplier bill Medicare directly: The enrolled supplier submits the claim on your behalf using the HCPCS code for the lift mechanism — Medicare reimburses the supplier's allowable amount, and you pay the remaining chair cost out of pocket.
  6. Keep all documentation on file: Retain the physician's prescription, the supplier's itemized invoice, and the Explanation of Benefits — these are required if Medicare audits the claim or if you pursue secondary insurance reimbursement.