The bathroom combines hard surfaces, water and a lot of standing up and sitting down. MedlinePlus says it is a place in the home where falls most often happen, and that making changes in your bathroom helps lower your risk of falling. The CDC reports that more than one out of four older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor.
Most bathroom safety products aren't covered by Medicare, so this guide starts with what Medicare does and doesn't pay for, then walks through each product, what to look for when you buy it, and how to set it up. GMG does not test products. Our recommendations come from Medicare's coverage rules, federal safety guidance and the specifications stated in the product listings, and we link to each source.
📋Quick Summary
- Medicare's national equipment list denies coverage for grab bars, bathtub seats and raised toilet seats as self-help, comfort or convenience items.
- A raised toilet seat is noncovered, per Medicare's equipment policy.
- Medicare does cover a commode chair if you're confined to your bed or room, and Medicare.gov says your doctor or other health care provider must order it.
- More than one out of four older people falls each year, according to the CDC.
- The basics named by MedlinePlus, the CDC and the National Institute on Aging are grab bars by the tub, shower and toilet, a non-slip surface in the tub, a seat for showering, a raised toilet seat, and night lights.
| Grab bars | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Bathtub seats and shower chairs | Bathtub seats are not covered. Shower chairs aren't on Medicare's list, so ask your Medicare contractor or plan |
| Raised toilet seats | Not covered |
| Commode chairs | Covered if you're confined to your bed or room, with an order from your doctor or other provider |
| Medicare Advantage | Benefits vary by plan, so check yours |
Source: CMS: Durable Medical Equipment Reference List (NCD 280.1)
Who it is for
- Anyone who has trouble getting in and out of the tub, sitting down on or standing up from the toilet, or keeping balance on wet floors.
- Family members setting up a parent's bathroom.
Who should skip it
- If you're confined to your bed or room, ask your doctor about a Medicare-covered commode chair first.
- If you've had a recent fall, talk to your doctor before buying equipment, since an occupational therapist can recommend what fits. This is general information, not a recommendation for your situation.
What Medicare covers, and what it doesn't
Medicare's national list of durable medical equipment spells this out. It denies coverage for grab bars as a "self-help device; not primarily medical in nature," for bathtub seats as a "comfort or convenience item; hygienic equipment," and for toilet seats as "not medical equipment." It also lists raised toilet seats as a "convenience item; hygienic equipment." Medicare's equipment policy states that "a raised toilet seat (E0244) is noncovered." So for most people, grab bars, tub seats and raised toilet seats are out-of-pocket purchases.
There's one notable exception. The national list covers commodes "if patient is confined to bed or room," and Medicare.gov lists commode chairs among covered durable medical equipment. To have Medicare help pay, you'll need an order from your doctor or other health care provider and a supplier enrolled in Medicare, so check before buying one elsewhere. The same equipment policy says a commode chair positioned over the toilet to use as a raised toilet seat is also noncovered.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, ask whether it offers any bathroom safety items or an over-the-counter allowance that can be used for them. Benefits vary by plan, so check your Evidence of Coverage or call the number on your card.
Start with the free options
Your local Area Agency on Aging may know of home modification or safety programs in your area. Reach it through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. If you're unsure what changes your bathroom needs, MedlinePlus says to ask your health care provider for a referral to an occupational or physical therapist, who can visit your bathroom and make safety recommendations. Your state's SHIP counselors can help you read your plan's benefits for free.
Grab bars: where to put them and what to look for
The CDC says to add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet. MedlinePlus advises securing them "vertically or horizontally to the wall, not diagonally," with one to help you get in and out of the tub and another to help you stand from a sitting position. It also warns: "Do not use towel racks as grab bars. They can't support your weight."
What to look for: a bar that screws into wall studs, or that uses anchors the manufacturer rates for weight-bearing use; a stated weight capacity; a textured or slip-resistant finish; and a length that fits the spot, with shorter bars beside a toilet and longer bars along a tub wall.
Don't rely on a suction-cup bar to support your weight. One retailer's support page says the manufacturer of its suction grab bars "clarifies that it is used only for balance" and that it "is not designed to be used for supporting body weight."
Installation matters as much as the bar. If you aren't sure where the studs are or what's behind your tile, hire a handyman or contractor.
Shower chairs and tub transfer benches
MedlinePlus advises sitting on a bath chair or bench when taking a shower. Shower chairs come in several styles, some with a backrest and arms. A tub transfer bench is designed so you sit on it at the edge of the tub and slide in, instead of stepping over the tub wall.
What to look for: a stated weight capacity comfortably above the user's weight; height-adjustable legs; non-slip rubber or suction feet; a backrest, and arms if standing up is hard; and, for a transfer bench, a fit for your tub.
Raised toilet seats and toilet safety frames
MedlinePlus says that "raising the toilet seat height can help prevent falls," which you can do by adding an elevated toilet seat, and notes you can also use a commode chair instead of a toilet. A toilet safety frame is a set of rails or armrests that stands around, or attaches to, a standard toilet.
What to look for: a seat that locks or clamps securely and fits your toilet shape, round or elongated; the height it adds; a stated weight capacity; and arms if you push up with your hands.
Non-slip mats and night lights
The National Institute on Aging says to place nonskid mats, strips or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet, and to leave a light on in the bathroom at night or use a night light that turns on automatically in the dark. MedlinePlus adds non-slip suction mats or rubber silicone decals in the bottom of your tub, and a non-skid bath mat outside the tub for firm footing. The CDC says to make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs. Plug-in night lights come with a motion sensor, a dusk-to-dawn sensor, or both.
One no-cost step: MedlinePlus recommends setting your water heater to no more than 120°F (49°C) to prevent burns.
Products that meet these criteria
GMG has not tested these products. Each is listed because its Amazon listing states specifications that meet the criteria above, and each was sold by Amazon.com or the brand on the date checked. Confirm the fit (toilet shape, tub width, wall type) and the current price before you buy. Product names are paid links.
| Product (Amazon listing) | Type | What the listing states | Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moen R8716P 16-inch stainless steel grab bar, peenedpaid link | Wall-mounted grab bar | Mounts to a wall stud. Supports up to 500 lbs installed in a stud or with SecureMount anchors (anchors not included). Textured, slip-resistant peened finish. 16-inch bar, 1.25-inch diameter. | Not covered |
| Moen SMA1005CH SecureMount anchor, 1 anchor, chromepaid link | Anchor for walls without studs | Supports up to 300 lbs. No studs required. This listing includes one anchor. The grab bar listing above states 500 lbs, so follow the lower figure and the installation instructions. | Not on Medicare's list |
| Drive Medical Premium Shower Chair with Back and Padded Armspaid link | Shower chair with back and arms | Title states it supports 350 pounds. Contoured backrest and padded armrests. Tool-free height adjustment in 1-inch increments. Rubber feet and drainage holes. Aluminum. | Not on Medicare's list. Bathtub seats are denied |
| Drive Medical Tub Transfer Bench for Bathtub, height adjustablepaid link | Tub transfer bench | Up to 350 lb capacity. Aluminum frame with a backrest. Legs adjust in 0.5-inch increments. Suction cup feet and drainage openings. | Not on Medicare's list. Bathtub seats are denied |
| Carex E-Z Lock Raised Toilet Seat With Handles, 5 inchpaid link | Raised toilet seat with arms, locking | Locks securely to the toilet. Supports up to 300 lbs. Adds 5 inches of height. Fits round, standard and elongated toilets. Padded handles. | Not covered |
| Vive Toilet Safety Rail with Armspaid link | Toilet safety frame | Supports up to 300 lbs. Freestanding, so it is not attached to the toilet. Tool-free assembly. Padded handles. 26.5-inch-wide base. Fits standard and elongated toilets. | Not on Medicare's list |
| Gorilla Grip bath tub shower mat, 35 by 16 inches, clearpaid link | Non-slip tub mat | Suction cups and drainage holes. Pebble-textured top. Machine washable. The listing says to install it only on smooth, clean, non-textured, non-tiled surfaces. | Not on Medicare's list |
| GE plug-in night light with motion sensor, 40 lumens, 2 packpaid link | Motion-sensor night light | Motion-activated up to 25 ft with a 90-second auto-off. Dusk-to-dawn light sensing. 40 lumens. UL listed. | Not on Medicare's list |
Listing details were checked on October 11, 2026 and can change. The Medicare column is based on Medicare's national equipment list; items it doesn't name are marked as not on the list, so ask your plan or Medicare contractor.
- Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116. A public service of the Administration for Community Living that connects you to local services, including your Area Agency on Aging.
- Your Medicare Advantage plan's benefits: Ask whether any bathroom safety items or an over-the-counter allowance apply, or check your Evidence of Coverage.
- An occupational therapy home safety check: Ask your doctor for a referral to an occupational or physical therapist, who can visit your bathroom and make safety recommendations.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): A free counselor can help you read your plan documents.
Common questions about bathroom safety
- Does Medicare cover grab bars?
- No. Medicare's national equipment list denies grab bars as a self-help device that is not primarily medical in nature. Medicare Advantage benefits vary by plan, so check yours.
- Does Medicare pay for shower chairs?
- Probably not. Medicare's list denies bathtub seats as comfort or convenience items, and shower chairs are not on it, so coverage is unlikely. Ask your plan or Medicare contractor before buying.
- Will Medicare cover a raised toilet seat?
- No. Medicare's equipment policy states that a raised toilet seat is noncovered.
- Does Medicare cover a commode chair?
- Yes, if you are confined to your bed or room. Medicare.gov lists commode chairs among covered durable medical equipment, and you need an order from your doctor or other health care provider and a supplier enrolled in Medicare.
- Can I use a towel rack as a grab bar?
- No. MedlinePlus warns that towel racks can't support your weight.
- Are suction-cup grab bars safe?
- One manufacturer says its suction grab bars are used only for balance and are not designed to support body weight. Use a screw-mounted bar when you need support.
✅What This Means For You
Turning 65: Plan on paying for bathroom safety items yourself, since Medicare doesn't cover most of them.
Already on Medicare: Grab bars and a non-slip mat are good first upgrades. Ask your doctor about a home safety check if you've fallen.
IRMAA-affected: Coverage is the same regardless of income. These are out-of-pocket purchases for everyone on Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage enrollees: Ask your plan whether any bathroom safety items or an over-the-counter allowance apply before you buy.
Last reviewed . We re-check prices and links every quarter.