How to Get Financial Assistance for Walk-In Tubs

Each year, 25% of seniors fall, with 80% of those falls happening in the bathroom. Walk-in tubs can significantly reduce fall risk and improve the bathing experience—making life easier for seniors with mobility issues, caregivers, and their loved ones. However, paying for a new bathroom remodel can strain your fixed retirement budget.

So, is there financial assistance for medically necessary walk-in tubs, especially through Medicare? We’ll explore how to get help paying for a walk-in bathtub so you can get the in-home care you need at an affordable price.

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How to Get a Free Walk-In Tub for Seniors

From health insurance to nonprofit assistance, seniors can qualify for a free or reduced-cost walk-in tub in several ways. These financial assistance services and programs usually have at least some eligibility requirements, including:

• Age thresholds
• Income limits
• Disability status
• Medical necessity standards
• Prior authorization
• Homeownership or rural-residency requirements

Ultimately, each program has its own rules, and you won’t necessarily get full coverage for the installation. However, many seniors with mobility issues and assisted living situations can qualify for walk-in tub financial support.

Medicare Advantage

If your doctor provides a letter of medical necessity for a walk-in tub, you may be able to have the cost covered or reimbursed. However, approval is uncommon and varies by state.

Medicaid Programs

Some state-specific Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers cover the installation of a walk-in tub.

Veterans Benefits

For senior veterans, the VA offers several financial assistance programs, including Veteran Directed Care funds, SHA/SAH housing grants, HISA grants, and pension boosts through Aid & Attendance.

State-Based Assistance

While Medicare and Medicaid programs already vary by state, additional fully state-based programs can help. For example, Nevada’s Assistive Technology Program, Indiana’s CHOICE, and Minnesota’s CADI waivers all provide assistance for walk-in tubs.

USDA Rural Repair & Rehabilitation Grant

Low-income seniors in rural areas may qualify for up to $7,500 toward a walk-in tub.

Nonprofit Support

Organizations like Habitat for Humanity’s Aging in Place and Rebuilding Together’s Safe at Home services provide free or reduced-cost home modifications—like walk-in tubs.

Manufacturer Discounts and Financing

Some walk-in tub companies, including Boca, Jacuzzi, and Independent Home, offer coupons, rebates, or financing options to lower costs.

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Setting Realistic Expectations For “Free” or Partially Funded Walk-In Tubs

While the programs mentioned above can save you a lot of money, expect partial financial assistance rather than a completely free walk-in tub. You can attempt to stack multiple funding sources to save as much as possible, but this ultimately depends on meeting eligibility requirements. Even then, some out-of-pocket cost is common, whether for a deductible, an uncovered feature (like hydrotherapy jets or heated built-in seating) or the gap between what a grant allows and what the final installation actually costs.

Most grants and loans come with caps. For instance, the USDA Rural Repair & Rehabilitation Grant tops out at $7,500, which may or may not cover the full cost of a walk-in tub. Similarly, Medicaid (HCBS waivers) and state-based programs often have annual or lifetime limits on home modification benefits, and veterans’ grants like HISA have their own funding ceilings.

The most effective approach is to treat “free” as a goal to work toward, not a guarantee: apply to multiple programs at once, ask each provider directly what’s covered, and get a detailed quote before assuming any single source will cover the full expense.

You can often work with local resources like a nearby Area Agencies on Aging to learn what programs you qualify for, as well as get application assistance. Find one near you using your ZIP code on the Eldercare Locator.

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Will Medicare Cover a Walk-In Tub?

In nearly every scenario, even if you qualify for Original Medicare, it won’t cover the cost of a walk-in tub because they’re not classified as durable medical equipment (DME). However, Medicare Advantage plans may reimburse the tub after you pay upfront.

Getting this reimbursement isn’t easy: You’ll have to prove to Medicare that a walk-in tub is a “medical necessity.” Essentially, you’ll need to show evidence of a medical diagnosis or functional limitation (like a high fall risk) that requires the tub. Ask your doctor for a prescription and an official physician’s letter detailing why you absolutely need a walk-in tub at your primary residence. Then, always keep copies of this documentation to reuse across grant and insurance applications.

Medicare still may not cover the cost. If you can’t get Medicare to sign off on the reimbursement, try to get financial assistance elsewhere, like through Medicaid.

Will Medicaid Cover a Walk-In Tub?

Medicaid financial assistance varies by state. Each state has multiple Medicaid programs with varying guidelines. You’ll need to research your state’s requirements to determine if your program will cover the cost of a walk-in tub.

Medicaid may not cover the total cost, but you might get some help with installation and the cost of the tub itself. Explore your state’s Medicare waiver program, which lists grants you might be able to use to supplement the costs associated with aging in place.

(More on this below.)

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Veterans Benefits

Paying for a walk-in tub is a little easier if you’re a veteran, thanks to the range of benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans can take several routes to get the quality-of-life improvements they need, including:

• Veteran-Directed Care (VDC): This program, previously known as Veteran-Directed Home and Community-Based Services, is for veterans who need help with daily activities, including bathing. Veterans or their representatives have access to a flexible spending account (FSA), which they can use at their discretion to cover their needs. That could include a walk-in tub.
• Service grants: Veterans can apply for the Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant or the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant to cover the cost of a walk-in tub. The government awards a finite number of grants each year, and they’re reserved for veterans with service-related disabilities.
• Home modification grants: Veterans can also apply for home modification grants, such as the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant. This grant won’t cover a spa, hot tub, or Jacuzzi, but it can cover roll-in showers. (There are other uses as well, including accessible kitchen counters and entry/exit ramps from the home.) Veterans without a service-connected disability can get $2,000; those with a service-connected disability can get up to $6,800 for home modifications.
• Additional benefits: Veterans can increase their monthly pension payments by applying for VA Aid and Attendance or Household benefits. You can use these additional funds if you need help with daily activities, such as bathing.

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Financial Assistance for Walk-In Tubs

Even if you don’t qualify for help through health care programs like Medicare or Medicaid and aren’t a veteran, there are other methods for affording a walk-in tub.

Note that while Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) do not pay for walk-in tubs or other home modifications, they can help you meet the disability criteria for financial assistance programs. This is especially useful for adults with disabilities under 65 who may not yet qualify for senior-specific programs but still need bathroom accessibility improvements.

With that in mind, here are some other options for securing financial assistance:

State-Based Programs

Medicaid isn’t your only option for financial assistance at the state level. Research other programs in your state that might help you cover the cost of a walk-in tub.

For instance, seniors in Nevada may get help through the Assistive Technology for Independent Living Program. Indiana residents can get help through the CHOICE program. In Minnesota, older adults can get assistance via the Community Access for Disability Inclusion Waiver. The Illinois Home Accessibility Program helps residents make their homes more accessible.

Home Modification Loans & Grants

Veterans aren’t the only ones who can qualify for home modification loans and government grants for walk-in tubs. For instance, seniors can apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Repair and Rehabilitation grant (Section 504 Home Repair) to get up to $7,500 for home alterations, such as walk-in tubs.

Cities and counties may also provide access to Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) or similar funds that low-income seniors can use to repair or modify their homes. Additionally, the Housing Improvement Program is available to American Indians and Alaska natives through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Ultimately, every municipality is different, so we suggest contacting local housing departments or community development offices online or in-person for more details.

Nonprofits

Several nonprofit organizations help seniors make their homes more accessible, including Habitat for Humanity, which has an Aging in Place program. Another nonprofit, Rebuilding Together, offers a program called Safe at Home that can help seniors pay for home modifications, such as walk-in tubs.

Each organization will have different eligibility guidelines, including homeownership (and a home assessment), meeting income thresholds and being current on your taxes. You can find more information about the nonprofit programs available to you and current waitlists at your local Area Agency on Aging.

Manufacturer Discounts and Financing

No luck with insurance companies? Some manufacturers, like Boca and Jacuzzi, may offer special discounts and financing options. Independent Home offers a $1,500 off coupon that can also make a huge difference in what you pay. Explore our list of the best walk-in tubs to start your search.

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Consumer Protection: Avoiding “Free Walk-In Tub” Scams

The term “free walk-in tub” is widely searched, which draws shady sellers who target searchers with high-pressure sales tactics, misleading offers and even outright scams. Always watch out for these red flags so you can avoid committing to a deal that doesn’t have your best interests at heart:

• High-pressure sales tactics. Don’t buy into sales pitches that push you to sign something immediately or claim your “free offer” is only available today. A trusted company will never rush your decision.
• Vague or shifting financing terms. Ask for the financing terms upfront in writing before you agree to anything: interest rates, monthly payments and the total cost over the life of the loan. Reluctance to provide this info, or changing terms later, are major red flags.
• Requests for payment before funding is confirmed. To get funding from a program, you’ll need to submit a free application, wait for approval, and then contact an approved vendor. If any company asks for a deposit, application fee, or processing fee before you complete this process, you should look elsewhere.
• Unverified program claims. If a salesperson tells you about a grant or program you can’t immediately verify through a government website, your VSO, or your Medicaid/Medicare plan administrator, you should treat the claim skeptically.

To protect yourself from scammers, first confirm that the company works with whatever program you’re getting financial assistance from, then always request a written quote that itemizes the full cost of the tub, installation, and any financing before signing anything. These extra steps add to the process but are a surefire way to avoid “free tub” offers that turn out to be profitable schemes.

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Other Ways to Pay for a Walk-In Tub

If you don’t qualify for any financial assistance for walk-in tubs, you can still find ways to install a soaker without paying out of pocket. Here are some other options to explore:

• Personal loans: You can find personal loans from $1,000 to $100,000 and use the funds for just about anything, including home renovations. Personal loan interest rates are typically lower than credit card rates, but repayment amounts and terms are fixed. You can usually find repayment terms between two and seven years for personal loans.
• Reverse mortgages: Another option for homeowners 62 or older is a reverse mortgage to cover rising medical costs and other retirement expenses. There are a lot of factors to consider before getting a reverse mortgage (you’ll have to participate in financial counseling as part of the process), but some of the best reverse mortgage lenders offer great options that can help fund walk-in tubs and other expenses in retirement.
• HELOCs: Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are another way to tap into your home equity to fund medical costs, pay off debt, and cover the cost of home renovations. Alternatively, you can explore home equity loans (a lump sum rather than revolving credit). It takes between three and eight weeks to get your HELOC. If you need a walk-in tub more quickly, you may need to explore another option.

Another way to save money on a walk-in tub? Buy used. Gently used, pre-owned walk-in tubs can be significantly less expensive than brand-new tubs.

Alternatively, if you’re planning to downsize your home and buy a house without stairs, you can also add a walk-in tub to your must-have list. Real estate agents can help you find a smaller, more affordable home that is already outfitted with all the amenities you need to age in place.

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Homeowners vs. Renters: Understanding Landlord Permissions

Do you own your home? Live with a relative or rent? Your current housing situation affects both what you’ll qualify for and the documents you’ll need to submit during the application process.

Many of the programs we’ve covered are designed to help homeowners specifically, with some, like the USDA Rural Repair & Rehabilitation Grant, requiring that you own and occupy the home before funding is approved. However, renters aren’t necessarily excluded from every option. Rather, the application process looks a bit different:

• VA Grants (HISA, SAH/SHA). These grants are usually structured around a home owned by a veteran or a veteran’s family member. Renters need a landlord’s written approval before the VA can authorize any permanent structural changes.
• Medicaid HCBS Waivers. Coverage rules vary by state, but many waivers do allow modifications in a rented home if the landlord provides written consent along with the standard application.
• Nonprofit Support. Nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together usually prioritize homeowners but may offer assistance if your landlord signs off. However, renter policies vary widely by state.

If you rent and can’t secure landlord approval for a permanent installation, temporary adaptations are another solution. Anything from grab bars to transfer benches, which we’ll dive deeper into below, is a practical way to reduce fall risk.

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Alternative Low-Cost Bathroom Safety Options

If you don’t qualify for the funds you’d need to install a full walk-in tub, there are other affordable ways to reduce fall risk and improve overall bathing safety:

• Tub cut-outs modify your existing bathtub by cutting a low, wide entry point into the side, so you’re less likely to fall when you step in. This modification costs $500 to $1,500 and is often completed in a day.
• Bath lifts are battery-operated or hydraulic seats that lower you into and raise you out of a standard tub. Most models cost between $150 and $500 and require no permanent installation, making them a great option for renters.
• Transfer benches straddle the edge of the tub, so you can sit down outside it and slide in rather than step over the wall. They’re extremely budget-friendly (usually $50 to $150).
• Grab bars are another simple solution, giving seniors something to hold onto when standing, sitting, or stepping out of the tub. They only cost an average of $20 to $60 per bar, and you can choose professional or DIY installation depending on your mobility and skill level.
• Non-slip flooring, such as mats, strips, or textured flooring treatments, helps reduce fall risk while bathing. It costs only $20 to $100 to address the entire tub.
• Walk-in shower conversions are similar to walk-in tubs but can be slightly cheaper because they lack soaking features. The average cost is $800 to $15,000, and you may be able to use the same financial assistance programs used for walk-in tub installation.

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Are Walk-In Tubs Tax Deductible?

Walk-in tubs may be tax-deductible as a medical expense depending on your state tax laws. The IRS offers medical and dental care expense deductions if you itemize on your return.

Similarly, if you care for an older adult in your home and pay for a walk-in tub, you may be able to claim the child and dependent care tax credit. Currently, it’s worth $4,000 for one qualifying person.

Taxes can get confusing. If you already work with a financial advisor for estate planning, they should be able to help you figure out how much you can deduct when filing your taxes.

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How to Apply For Walk-In Tub Assistance: Step-By-Step

How you apply for a walk-in tub depends on the specific program you’re applying for, but we’ve outlined some basic guidelines based on funding source:

Medicaid Recipients

1. Contact your caseworker. Call your nearest Medicaid office and ask what programs your state offers to help cover walk-in tubs. Every state has different programs and eligibility requirements.
2. Apply for a waiver. If eligible, your caseworker will guide you through all the paperwork you need to submit for your state’s Medicaid waiver. This documentation can include proof of identity/residency, a letter of medical necessity (LMN) and financial information.
3. Get prior authorization. Some state Medicaid plans will require prior authorization before covering home renovation costs, meaning your doctor or caseworker will need to provide the correct documents before you’re approved.
4. Choose an approved manufacturer. Once approved, your caseworker can give you a list of walk-in tub manufacturers that accept Medicaid waivers in your state.

Medicare Advantage Enrollees

1. Contact your plan administrator. Not all Medicare Advantage plans cover walk-in tub parts or installation costs, so ask whether either is included as a supplemental benefit.
2. Ask about prior authorization. Your plan may require a doctor’s referral or letter of medical necessity (LMN), along with specific prior authorization steps, before approving any funds.
3. Request a list of approved vendors/contractors. Plans that cover home modifications usually work through a designated vendor, contracted installer, or reimbursement process. Your plan administrator can tell you who qualifies, or you can check your plan’s supplemental benefits portal using your member ID.
4. Verify your remaining allowance. Many plans offer a fixed dollar amount toward health-related expenses each year, so confirm that you have enough left to cover the new installation.

Veterans and VA Beneficiaries

1. Contact a nearby VA medical center. Connecting with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) at a local VA medical center will help you figure out which VA benefits or programs can help you: Veteran Directed Care, HISA grants, or SAH/SHA housing grants.
2. Request a clinical or home assessment. To qualify, a licensed VA physician will typically assess your health and mobility needs within your current living space. This allows them to write an accurate LMN or home modification recommendation supporting the new walk-in tub.
3. Submit required documentation. When applying for VA benefits or programs, be ready to provide proof of VA enrollment, your disability rating (if applicable), and any supporting medical or home assessment records.
4. Paperwork review and installation coordination. Give the VA time to process your paperwork and LMN. If approved, you’ll usually receive a grant or reimbursement. Working with a VA-approved vendor/contractor is essential for accessing financial assistance.

Low-Income and Uninsured Individuals

1. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). If you’re not sure where to start or what you qualify for, this national organization can connect you with local nonprofits and programs.
2. Prepare your documents. Whether you’re applying for a USDA Rural Repair & Rehabilitation Grant or nonprofit support, you’ll want to have proof of income, age or disability status to demonstrate eligibility.
3. Apply for programs. Submit any documents each program requests, then confirm approval and shipment/installation timelines. Processing at nonprofit organizations can take longer in some instances.

No matter how you get financial assistance, the most common steps are confirming eligibility, gathering documentation, securing authorization (if required), and selecting an approved vendor. Even after you apply, we always recommend keeping copies of the documents you submit for future reference.

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Bottom Line

Walk-in tubs are expensive, but for seniors who are prone to falls, they are well worth the investment. Although Medicare usually won’t cover the cost, other options may help, including VA benefits, grants, and state-based programs.

Explore your options as you weigh the pros and cons of walk-in tubs.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Financial Assistance for Walk-In Tubs