Consumer Resources

Cervical Traction

Cervical traction devices are covered only if both of the criteria below are met:

  1. The patient has a musculoskeletal or neurologic impairment requiring traction equipment.
  2. The appropriate use of a home cervical traction device has been demonstrated to the patient and the patient tolerated the selected device.

Cervical traction devices that attach to a headboard or a free-standing frame have no proven clinical advantage compared to cervical tractions attached to an over-the-door mechanism. If a traction device that uses a headboard or free-standing attachment is ordered and the medical necessity criteria for the device is met, payment will be based on the allowance for the least costly medically appropriate alternative, a device that attaches over a door.

Cervical traction devices that attach to a frame or stand are covered only when criteria 1 and 2 above and either criteria A, B or C below have been met:

An order for each item billed must be signed and dated by the treating physician and kept on file by the supplier. Cervical traction items are typically purchased.

Patient Lifts

Medicare covers a patient lift if a patient cannot move from a bed to a chair, wheelchair or commode without the help of more than one person; the patient would be confined to a bed without the use of a lift. An electric patient lift is not covered; Medicare considers it a convenience item. However, if you prefer the total electric, you can pay the differences between the bed for which you qualify and this one - using the Advanced Beneficiary Notice we discussed. click here to go to the information.

An order (prescription) must be on file with the supplier. It must be signed and dated by the treating doctor. Patient lifts are in the Capped Rental category of DME; that means you may choose to rent or purchase a patient lift.

Seat Lift Mechanisms/Lift Chairs

Medicare will only cover the seat lift mechanism. The chair portion of the package is not covered, and the patient will be responsible for the full amount of the chair.

In order for Medicare to pay for a seat lift mechanism, patients must have severe arthritis of the hip or knee, or have a severe neuromuscular disease. In addition they must be completely incapable of standing up from any chair, but once standing they can walk either independently or with the aid of a walker or cane. Not being able to get out of a low chair is not sufficient justification - most who can ambulate can get out of a chair if the seat height is appropriate and the chair has arms.

Medicare requires that the physician ordering the seat lift mechanism must be the attending physician or a consulting physician for the disease or condition resulting in the need for a seat lift. The physician must believe that the mechanism will improve, slow down or stop the deterioration of the patient's condition and note that all appropriate therapeutic modalities to enable the patient to transfer from a chair to a standing position (e.g., medication, physician therapy) been tried and failed.

An order (prescription) for each item billed must be on file with the supplier. It must be signed and dated by the treating doctor. A Certificate of Medical Necessity for Seat Lift must be completed, signed, and dated by the treating doctor. You may choose to rent or purchase a seat lift mechanism. If you choose to rent, most cost around $300, so Medicare would make two monthly payments of $150, then you would own it.

This item also requires a written order prior to delivery, meaning you need to make certain there is a prescription from your physician before it is ordered, otherwise you will be responsible for full payment of the item.