Service dogs allow individuals with various disabilities to function at a higher level of independence. However, purchasing or training a service dog is not cheap. And for those who depend on Medicare for such services, it is very important to know what is covered. In this article, we look at the question: Does Medicare cover service dogs? Let’s begin!
Evaluation of the Medicare Coverage of Service Dogs
Medicare assists in providing medical health services for citizens in America aged above sixty-five years, and some particularly younger disabled Individuals. This medical coverage includes several components:
- Part A: Hospital insurance
- Part B: Medical insurance
- Part C: Medicare Advantage (offered by private insurers)
- Part D: Prescription drugs
Are Service Dogs Covered by Medicare?
To put it simply: No, Medicare does not cover service dogs. While Medicare does cover a wide range of medical expenses, such as hospital stays, as in Part A, care at an outpatient facility, and medical equipment, it does not reimburse the costs you spend on getting a service dog.
Service dogs can be extremely helpful for people with disabilities. However, Medicare does not cover service dogs. Other programs that may cover them are private insurance, disability benefits, and some non-profit organizations.
Why Does Medicare Not Pay for Service Dogs?
There are a few reasons why Medicare does not reimburse for service dogs. For one, dogs are not viewed as assistive devices as wheelchairs or perambulators are, and therefore, many believe that they are not essential. In fact, service dogs are primarily seen as social and emotional companions than medical aides. Therefore, all costs and charges pertinent to the services, training, feeding, walking, and veterinary care are the financial responsibility of the service dog owner.
Alternative Options for Funding Service Dogs
Here are some of the options you can try to receive some sort of funding for your service dog:
1. Medicaid
Medicaid, which is the joint funding of state and federal governments, may provide wider coverage than Medicare. However, the downside is that it may not help pay for all the expenses concerning service dogs across all states. This coverage differs from one state to another. Seeking assistance from the local Medicaid offices would clear the doubts concerning this issue.
2. Nonprofit Organizations
An interesting option is to turn to nonprofits. Many of these organizations provide service dogs for free or cover the expenses required to buy and manage one. Some of them are as follows:
- Canine Companions for Independence
- Paws With a Cause
- The Assistance Dog United Campaign (ADUC)
While some of these organizations may provide service dogs for free and cover all expenses, others may not. Many individuals have served time on waitlists and have met eligibility criteria set by these organizations, only to be disappointed because they cannot receive the funding they wished for, only a fraction of it.
3. Veterans Affairs (VA)
In order to assist Veterans with service related disabilities, the VA may help fund the acquisition of a service dog. The VA explains that the service dog is used for specific purposes such as mobility impairment and PTSD, and is committed to enabling veterans to access these services. However, the coverage is selective to only service-related disabilities and other eligibility conditions.
4. Private Insurance
A limited portion of service dog acquisition funds can be obtained via private health insurance, which is very rare. There are differences in policies by each insurer, and therefore it is recommended that you go through your policy or communicate with your insurance provider to establish whether service dog expenses are likely to be reimbursed. You should also look into Health savings accounts (HSAs) or Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), which are tax-advantageous ways to meet service dog-related expenditures.
Conclusion
Does Medicare cover service dogs or not is a major concern for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Getting the necessary funding can significantly help these troubled individuals. Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover service dogs but do not worry, there are many alternative options to try. Many nonprofit and charity organizations provide donations and medical facilities that also cover service dogs.
