More detail
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers medically necessary durable medical equipment — wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, commodes — but not home modifications attached to the structure. Grab bars, ramps, curbless showers, stair lifts, and widened doorways are not covered under Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is the underused option. Since the 2019 CHRONIC Care Act, MA plans have been allowed to offer expanded supplemental benefits targeting chronic conditions and fall risk. As of 2026, most major MA carriers offer a $500-$2,500 annual home-safety benefit. The benefit name varies by plan — call the number on the back of the card and ask specifically for "supplemental benefits — home safety modifications."
Other funding sources: most long-term-care insurance policies issued after 2010 cover home modifications, usually capped around $5,000-$10,000. VA HISA grants provide up to $6,800 for service-connected disabled veterans and up to $2,000 for non-service-connected. Medicaid HCBS waivers cover modifications in most states for means-tested households. The matched contractor walks through which sources apply and helps with documentation.