Paying for Wheelchair Ramps: Medicare's Benefits & Costs

Overview

Wheelchair ramps are vital for seniors who are frail or disabled to maintain their independence and live independently at home. Seniors who use an electric scooter or wheelchair are able to do more of their daily activities with less assistance. Seniors with disabilities who have easy access to free handicap ramps can interact more socially and access social services. They will also be able to age in their own homes more easily. Ramps are also useful in emergency situations when medical personnel need to enter or exit the senior's residence.

There are many benefits available for frail or disabled seniors. Our guide to wheelchair ramps explains how to pay for them, what insurance benefits you have, the costs involved, and other factors that can affect costs. It also outlines the financial assistance options.

Insurance Benefits

Medicare

Medicare is the first place most people turn, and it makes sense. Most adults over 65 can access the federal health insurance program. Original (also known as traditional) Medicare policies can be restrictive when it comes to payment for equipment or home modifications in the senior's residence.

Original Medicare's policy regarding wheelchair ramps is covered under their policy for durable medical equipment. If the wheelchair ramp is being used for medical purposes, the ramp will be reimbursable. A licensed physician must declare that a ramp is medically necessary. It is very rare that Medicare will cover the cost of a wheelchair ramp.

Some Medicare Advantage (MA), plans may now pay for wheelchair ramps. CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) announced that MA plans may now cover community-based supplemental healthcare benefits. Before this announcement, it was not possible to pay for services or items that were intended to be used for "daily maintenance". Some MA plans now include healthcare items that can be used to prevent injury, treat a functional need or reduce the need of emergency care. According to our understanding, free wheelchair ramps for disabled can be an allowed supplemental benefit for some MA plans. Medicare Advantage plans now offer "special supplements" to chronically ill patients. Some conditions are classified as chronic.

  • Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

  • Metastatic Cancer

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

These "special supplemental benefits" may include permanent wheelchair ramps. Or at least be maintained. With current MA plans, it is important to allow for greater flexibility in terms of wheelchair ramps.

Medicaid

The federal program is administered by states, and policies differ in each state. The benefits of the Medicaid program are generally offered in three ways:

1) Regular Medicaid

2 Home and Community Based Services Waivers.

3 - Long term care benefits at nursing homes (which are not relevant for wheelchair ramps)

Regular Medicaid is an entitlement program that guarantees benefits for eligible individuals. Regular Medicaid policies generally follow the original Medicare rules for paying for wheelchair ramps. This means that they pay only when they are medically necessary. When compared to other medical equipment, such as ventilators and oxygen tanks, wheelchair ramps aren't usually considered medically necessary equipment. Although there have been cases in which states were required to provide wheelchair ramps for seniors who are disabled, these cases are rare and often require a court challenge.

HCBS Waivers are a better option for Medicaid beneficiaries. Medicaid Waivers are available in many states. They pay for ramps. These ramps can be considered home modifications or environmental adaptations. This saves the state money. You can see a list of Medicaid Waivers by state and their benefits .

The 'Money Follows The Person" program is another option. It helps elderly people who are currently in nursing homes to move home. They will also pay for home modifications such as wheelchair ramps.

Assistance for Veterans

Similar to the Medicare Supplemental Insurance Benefits Programs for Non-Veterans, TriCARE for Life/ CHAMPVA to supplement Medicare Part B pay 20% co-payments Medicare does not cover. This benefit is only available if Medicare agrees to pay the product or service. Medicare is unlikely to do so in the case of wheelchair ramps.

The VA's Cash and Counseling benefit is a better choice. Qualifying veterans are given a care budget, and can choose the services and supplies they need. Continue reading.

Home Improvement and Structural Alteration grants are another source of aid for veterans. HISA is the common name for these grants. HISA Grants were created to assist veterans in home modifications that will improve their home accessibility. This objective easily applies to a wheelchair ramp. To be eligible, the veteran's disability does not have to be related to military service. HISA Grants are available to veterans with disabilities that relate to normal aging.

Did You Know?

More than 5 million Americans use a chair and 18 million others use a cane, walker or other aid device.

Options for Financial Assistance

State-Based Assistance

Many states have their own non-Medicaid programs that support the disabled and elderly. These programs can help seniors continue to live in their communities or homes, rather than in nursing homes. Some of these programs can help with wheelchair ramps, which are necessary to make a home more accessible to a person who is wheelchair-bound. To find out what programs your state offers, see the list.

Elder Care Loans

Recent elder care loans were developed by financial institutions. These loans can be used while the individual is waiting for other benefits to cover the cost of a wheelchair ramp. A veteran's pension is one example of a loan that can be repaid in full with a lump sum. Click here to learn more about elder care loans and their costs.

Reverse mortgages are another type of loan. Reverse mortgages are for those who intend to live in their home or age in place. Reverse mortgages are available to homeowners over 62 who own their house. The homeowner does not need to pay the reverse mortgage until they move out or die. This page provides more information about reverse mortgages.

Non-Profit Assistance Programmes

Many non-profit associations and national organizations assist seniors with the cost and construction of wheelchair ramps. Below is a list of some of the most significant.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity, an international non-profit organization, runs volunteer-driven home construction projects for families in need domestically and internationally. Habitat for Humanity offers a "Brush with Kindness" program that helps families and individuals to improve their exterior spaces. Many of the A Brush With Kindness projects have gathered volunteers and donated money to help build wheelchair ramps for seniors.

AccessABILITY Experience

Phi Beta Kappa's Ability Experience (formerly Push America), charity runs an AccessABILITY program. This program is for low-income families that helps them to get a wheelchair ramp. This community service is run by fraternity brothers and their families to give back to the communities where they live. Each project is supported by the non-profit organization with a $1,000 grant to cover materials and organizing volunteer labor.

Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together, another non-profit organization, assists with home modifications and safety improvement for seniors and veterans. Some past projects included installing wheelchair ramps, handrails and outdoor lighting to make it easier for residents to enter and exit their homes safely. Read more.

National Directory of Home Modification Resources Program

This team is located at the University of Southern California and publishes a list of programs that help seniors pay for the costs of building a wheelchair ramp. Browse this comprehensive directory organized by state to find programs and resources in your locality.

Senior Corps

The Senior Corps RSVP is similar to the Peace Corps. This is a program that provides volunteer service for people over 55. They have completed home renovations and built wheelchair ramps as part of their volunteer projects. Find out more about Senior Corps at the National Service website.

Centers for Independent Living

The local centers for independent living provide support and guidance to disabled residents in their service area. These centers can provide information on the local resources available to help you find organizations that will assist with the purchase of a wheelchair ramp. These centers can also be used as a resource to connect with religious groups, high school woodworking classes, and union training programs that offer projects for seniors or the disabled. Click to find independent living centers in your area.

Prices for Wheelchair Ramps

A wheelchair ramp usually costs between $1,000 and $2800. This price includes both labor and materials. There are many factors that affect the overall cost.

  • Local Costs - In densely populated areas, where contractors are busier, labor costs can be twice as high. Materials may cost 10% to 20% more.

  • Ramp Materials – Aluminum modular ramps make it easier to assemble and keep clean. However, they do require precise measurements to be ordered. Wooden ramps are more durable than metal ones, and require less maintenance.

  • Stair Height – The height change of the stairs will determine the length of the ramp, and therefore the cost.

  • Intended Use – Powered wheelchairs weigh significantly more than pushchairs. The ramp will cost more if it is needed to support more weight.

How to determine the length of your ramp

Too steep ramps can be dangerous and make it difficult to use. Ramps should not rise more than one inch above the run. Measure the height in inches, then convert the inches to feet to estimate the length of the ramp. Make sure to include landing pads at the top and bottom of your ramp to accommodate a wheelchair or someone who might need to push. For long ramps, additional landing pads or flat surfaces may be required to provide a rest area.

Rentals of Wheelchair Ramps

There are many companies that rent wheelchair ramps in most parts of the country. Most of these services include both the installation and removal of the ramps. A rental ramp might be more appealing than a permanent one in certain situations, such as when the ramp is needed for a short time or to help with end-of-life issues. Renting a rental ramp may be a better choice for seniors who are renting their house or uncertain how long they will stay there. A rental or temporary ramp is also an option. They are less likely need to have any fees or permits. To confirm the building codes in your area, it is a good idea to check with local authorities.

Ramps Alternative

A wheelchair, scooter lift, or elevator might be preferable to a ramp due to space limitations or physical limitations of caregivers. These electric devices can be more costly than simple ramps. Prices for wheelchair lifts without installation costs range from $2000 to more than $5000 for the more advanced models. They are expensive. Find out more about platform lifts, and how to get them.

If the person can walk without assistance, a ramp may not be necessary. A set of low-rise stairs may be more appropriate in such cases.