Paying for Ramps, Grab Bars, Wheelchairs and Other Accessibility Costs

Published by the Modern Lending Solutions editorial team. Last reviewed: October 30, 2026.

Short answer: equipment and home changes follow different rules. Medicare Part B can cover medical equipment your doctor orders for use at home, the VA has a lifetime grant for home changes for eligible veterans, and the IRS lets you count some of these costs as medical expenses. Check each one before you borrow. This is general information, not tax advice.

Medicare Part B: durable medical equipment

• Part B covers medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME) if your doctor or other health care provider orders it for use in your home (Medicare.gov).
• Examples Medicare lists include canes, commode chairs, crutches, hospital beds, walkers, and wheelchairs and scooters (Medicare.gov).
• After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount (Medicare.gov).
• Medicare pays only if the supplier is enrolled in Medicare. A supplier that accepts assignment can charge you only the coinsurance and the Part B deductible for the Medicare-approved amount (Medicare.gov).

Federal rules define DME as equipment that can withstand repeated use, has an expected life of at least 3 years (for items classified after January 1, 2012), is primarily and customarily used for a medical purpose, generally is not useful to someone without an illness or injury, and is appropriate for use in the home (42 CFR 414.202). Ramps, grab bars and stairlifts are not on Medicare's DME list, so ask Medicare before you count on coverage for a home change.

VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)

HISA is a VA payment for improvements and structural alterations to a veteran's or servicemember's primary home, for access to the home and to essential lavatory and sanitary facilities (38 CFR 17.3101). Veterans eligible for VA medical services, and servicemembers undergoing medical discharge for a permanent disability, are eligible (38 CFR 17.3102). The lifetime limits, as the regulation reads on October 28, 2026, for a first application on or after May 5, 2010 (38 CFR 17.3105):

The limit can be used across more than one home alteration until it runs out (38 CFR 17.3105). If you request it, VA can pay 50% of the authorized benefit in advance, and the final payment request needs a photo of the finished work and itemized costs within 60 days (38 CFR 17.3130).

IRS Publication 502: equipment and home changes

• You can include special equipment installed in a home, or improvements, if their main purpose is medical care for you, your spouse or your dependent (Pub 502).
• For a permanent improvement that raises your home's value, only the cost minus the increase in value counts. If the value does not rise, the entire cost counts (Pub 502).
• Pub 502 names improvements such as entrance or exit ramps, wider doorways, bathroom railings and support bars, grab bars, modified stairways and porch lifts, and notes that elevators generally add value to the house (Pub 502).
• A wheelchair used for the relief of a sickness or disability counts, and so does the cost of operating and maintaining it (Pub 502).
• You can deduct only the part of medical and dental expenses above 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, on Schedule A (Pub 502).

Only reasonable costs count; extra costs for architectural or aesthetic reasons do not (Pub 502). For care at home and Medicaid home and community-based services, see home care costs for a parent.

If you still need to borrow

This example is only for the math, not an average price for any equipment or project. It borrows $4,000 over 24 months at the Federal Reserve's August 2026 averages: 11.90% APR for 24-month personal loans and 22.36% for credit card plans (G.19). Your rate depends on your credit and the lender.

$188.11 x 24 = $4,514.64, and $208.22 x 24 = $4,997.28. How to fit a payment in is in how to budget for a loan payment, and for medical bills you already have, see medical bill payment plan vs personal loan.

Checklist before you buy or build

• Ask the doctor to order the equipment and confirm the supplier is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment.
• If you are a veteran, ask your VA medical center about HISA before the work starts, and keep itemized costs and photos.
• Keep records of what you paid and, for a home change, the home value before and after.
• Get written quotes for the work so you borrow only what is left after other help.

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Sources

1. Medicare.gov: Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage
2. 42 CFR 414.202: Definitions (durable medical equipment)
3. 38 CFR 17.3101: HISA definitions
4. 38 CFR 17.3102: HISA eligibility
5. 38 CFR 17.3105: HISA benefit lifetime limits
6. 38 CFR 17.3130: HISA benefits payment procedures
7. IRS Publication 502: Medical and Dental Expenses
8. Federal Reserve: G.19 Consumer Credit (released October 7, 2026), terms of credit, August 2026: credit card plans and 24-month personal loans

Disclosure: Modern Lending Solutions is not a lender, loan broker or agent for any lender or loan broker, and does not make credit decisions. Any compensation we receive is paid by participating lenders, only for advertising services. This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice.