Many of us start looking for ways to make the bathtub more accessible for our parents, grandparents, and so on. Muscle and joint aches, along with a progressive loss of balance, make entering and exiting the tub more difficult than it used to be for them. Your first option may be a walk-in tub, as they can still relax in a bath without needing to climb over the high edge of a traditional tub. Hence, the dilemma arises: should you go for a conventional remodeling or look for a tub cutout shop online?
Although a conventional walk-in tub may seem like the best option, these installations are often disruptive and costly. Typically exceeding $1,000 (without factoring in the purchase price of the tub itself). Unfortunately, these remodels are generally not covered by insurance. Thus, you’ll need to cover the total cost out of your pockets. But with a tub cutout for the elderly, you won’t have to worry about messing up all your finances for a tub.
Can you pay for a walk-in tub through Medicare?
The short answer is no. Although a federal healthcare insurance, Medicare generally does not cover bathroom remodels. Which often include accessibility upgrades, as it considers them home improvement modifications without primary medical reasons.
Still, those with Medicare Parts A, B, and C may consider applying for a walk-in tub or shower if a doctor prescribes it and explicitly states how it can benefit the individual.
Likewise, homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover these types of remodels, as it considers them routine and therefore outside its scope.
Although Medicare likely won’t cover a tub cutout kit, if you explore a tub cutout shop online, you’ll find that they’re significantly less expensive than a conventional walk-in tub installation. This way, while the average walk-in tub installation costs $6,500, a Step Through Store conversion kit costs only $250, and you may save on labor costs if you’re crafty enough to tackle the installation yourself.
Does Medicare offer home health services?
Medicare may offer eligible home health care if the person requires it and is determined to be homebound, which means seniors who:
- Can’t leave the home as it is supposed to be a significant effort
- Have difficulty leaving home on their own due to an injury or illness
- Have been advised not to leave home due to their condition
In these cases, Medicare may offer part-time or intermittent home health services. Which can include assistance with bathing and other daily activities. This allows you to complement any bathtub modifications with DIY kits from a tub cutout online shop. However, these services are only available if you’re also getting other services at the same time, such as skilled nursing care. Medicare won’t pay if the person only requires personal or custodial care.
Tub cutouts: An affordable alternative to walk-in tubs
A conventional walk-in tub installation ranges from $3,000 to $15,000; therefore, if you want to increase your tub’s accessibility without breaking the bank, ordering easy-entry bath kits online can be a cost-effective option. Even when you choose to go a step further and add other safety features. Such as grab bars or anti-slip treatments, a modified tub with a tub cutout will be more cost-effective than installing a new walk-in tub.
As a guide, let’s see an estimate of how much you could spend on tub cutouts online shop like The Step Through Store, for a typical accessible bathroom (walk-in tub, grab bars near the tub and toilet, and any form of anti-slip treatment).
- Tub conversion kit & cover combo (small or medium): $495
- 3 brushed stainless steel grab bars (24″ long): $90 ($30 per unit)
- 1 brushed stainless steel grab bar (12” long): $22
- 1 stainless steel grab bar (36” long): $40
- Slip-resistant coating (8 ounces for a typical 13 sqf tub): $30
- Shipping fee (within the continental U.S): $45
Total: $722
Assuming you will tackle the installation yourself, tub cutouts for the elderly can be a significantly lower investment compared to the cost of full walk-in tub remodels, and provide a safer step-in option than a conventional tub. However, please note that shipping fees for orders outside the mainland may vary.
Likewise, if you’re not a skilled DIYer, you may need to hire a handy person or contractor, which can increase the total cost. Still, ordering a DIY kit from a tub cutouts online shop will be less expensive than replacing your tub with a walk-in one.
Order online at The Step Through Store. Receive your kit right at your door.
If you’re looking for easy-entry bath kits online that won’t cost you a fortune, The Step Through Store is the place for you. Whether you’re going for a walk-in tub, a tub to shower conversion, or a full accessible bathroom to ease your senior’s bath time. You’ll find what you need in our online shop.
With just a few clicks, you can conveniently and quickly purchase tub-to-shower conversion kits, grab bars, shower rods, and other bathroom safety essentials. Visit our tub cutouts online shop today!