Bathroom Supplies
- Commode Assistance
Commode Chairs and Medicare
What Is the Purpose of a Commode Chair?
Commode chairs provide bathroom assistance. Some Medicare beneficiaries may require it for the following reasons:- Illness has left the body unstable and weak, making trips to the bathroom difficult and dangerous. (For example, the bathroom is a common place for individuals to fall.)
- Surgery has temporarily left a person too weak to walk the distance to the bathroom.
- Joint problems and aging have weakened the legs, making it difficult for an individual to get on and off the toilet.
- Balance problems that make it difficult for an individual to safely travel to and get on/off the toilet.
- Stand-alone toilets for use at the bedside or in the bathroom. These come in three basic styles:
- Standard commode chairs (basic unit)
- Extra-wide commode chairs (for people over 250 pounds)
- Drop-arm commode chairs (arms fold down)
- Commodes with wheels
- Tall, toilet-covering commodes
- Multi-function commodes (toilet, shower chair, bedside chair or wheelchair)
- Commodes that attach to the toilet seat, making the toilet taller and easier to use
- Illness keeps you confined to one room
- Disability makes it difficult to use the toilet
- Beneficiaries confined to a home level with no bathroom
- Beneficiaries living in a home with no bathroom
- Medicare covers 80% of their approved amount; you are responsible for the remaining amount.
- If you have a MediGap/Medicare Supplemental Plan, call and ask what is covered by the plan. Many times with MediGap plans you will be responsible for little or no cost.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, call your plan and ask what is covered and what your share of cost is. Remember the plan must cover at least what Medicare does; many cover more.
- If they are participating suppliers
- If they accept assignment
- To write down what they will charge and how much of it you will have to pay
- If your supplier does not accept assignment, you may:
- Be charged more than the Medicare-approved amount
- Have to pay the entire cost of your supplies when you get them
- Have to bill Medicare yourself and wait several weeks before you will be reimbursed
What Types of Commode Chairs Are Available?
Commodes come in many styles and sizes. They include:
What Does Medicare Pay For?
Medicare covers medically necessary commode chairs.
How Do I Qualify for a Commode Chair?
In order to qualify, the doctor must write a prescription and document your need in your medical records.
Medicare requirements are different for each type of commode chair. For example, Medicare will cover a bedside commode under the following situations:How Much Does It Cost?
You may rent or purchase commode chairs. Your cost will depend on which type of Medicare coverage you receive.
For example:How Do I Find a Medicare Supplier?
Ask your doctor, friends and family for recommendations. When choosing a supplier, do your homework. Before you purchase/rent the commode chair ask the supplier:
