Does Medicare or Medicaid Cover Home Modifications in Missouri?

Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover home modifications such as grab bars, wheelchair ramps, or walk-in shower conversions. However, several other programs in Missouri can help fund these critical safety improvements. This guide explains exactly what's covered, by whom, and how to apply.

Traditional Medicare: What's NOT Covered

Let's start with the hard truth. **Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover:**

• Grab bar installation

• Walk-in shower conversions

• Wheelchair ramps

• Doorway widening

• Stair modifications

• Home safety assessments

Medicare considers these "home modifications" rather than "durable medical equipment" (DME), and they fall outside the covered benefit categories.

**What Medicare DOES cover** (related to home safety):

• Certain durable medical equipment like shower chairs, raised toilet seats, and handheld showerheads (when prescribed by a doctor)

• Home health aide visits (under Part A, after a qualifying hospital stay)

Medicare Advantage Plans: A Possible Exception

Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offered in Missouri have begun including home safety benefits as supplemental coverage. These may include:

• A limited annual allowance for home modifications

• Grab bar installation

• Bathroom safety equipment

Check with your specific Medicare Advantage plan to see if home modification benefits are included. Plans change annually, so check your benefits during each enrollment period.

Missouri Medicaid: HCBS Waiver Programs

This is where real funding potential exists. Missouri's Medicaid program offers **Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers** that can cover home modifications for qualifying individuals.

Who Qualifies?

To qualify for Missouri's HCBS waiver, you generally must:

• Meet Missouri's Medicaid income and asset limits

• Require a nursing-facility level of care (as determined by assessment)

• Choose to receive care at home rather than in a facility

What's Covered?

Under the HCBS waiver, covered home modifications may include:

• Grab bar installation

• Walk-in shower conversions

• Wheelchair ramps

• Doorway widening

• Non-slip flooring

• Improved lighting

Coverage amounts and specific items vary by individual care plan. A case manager from the Missouri Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS) coordinates the process.

How to Apply

1. Contact the **Missouri Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS)** at 1-866-835-3505

2. Request a **functional assessment** to determine eligibility

3. If approved, a case manager will develop your care plan

4. The case manager authorizes specific home modifications

VA Benefits for Veterans

Veterans with service-connected disabilities may qualify for significant home modification funding through two VA grant programs:

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant

• For veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities

• Covers extensive home modifications including ramps, bathroom conversions, and doorway widening

Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant

• For veterans with specific service-connected disabilities (blindness, loss of hands)

• Can be used for home modifications within an existing home

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)

• Lifetime benefit amount depends on service-connected status

• Covers home modifications prescribed by a VA physician

• Available to all enrolled veterans

Contact the **Kansas City VA Medical Center** or your local VA office to explore your eligibility.

Other Funding Sources in Missouri

USDA Section 504 Home Repair Loans & Grants

• Available to rural homeowners

• Low-interest loans for eligible homeowners

• Grants available for qualifying homeowners 62+

• Must live in an eligible rural area (check the USDA eligibility map — some outlying communities may qualify)

Area Agency on Aging

• The **Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Area Agency on Aging** may have limited grant funding for home modifications

• Eligibility typically based on age, income, and need

Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC)

• Administers the **Home Repair Program** for low-income homeowners

Our Recommendation

Start with a **free home safety assessment** from Ramps for Gramps. We'll identify what modifications you need and help you understand which funding sources you may qualify for. We help Kansas City-area families navigate the Medicaid waiver process and VA benefit applications.

Schedule your free assessment or call (816) 916-0397.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Program eligibility requirements and benefit amounts may change. Sources: Medicare.gov, Missouri DSDS, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, USDA Rural Development.*