• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
MedicareWire

MedicareWire

Best Medicare plan, cost, and enrollment tools for seniors.

Speak with a Licensed Advisor[1]

1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711)

Mon-Sun, 8am to 11pm EST

  • Medicare Advantage
  • Special Needs
  • Medigap
  • Medicare Part D
  • More➲
    • Senior Dental Plans
    • Medicare Mistakes
    • What Does Medicare Cover?
    • Important Resources
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Medicare Glossary

Does Medicare Cover Adult Diapers?

by Ethan Bynon, November 10, 2021 — fact checkedA qualified researcher has reviewed the content on this page to ensure it is factually accurate, meets current industry standards, and helps readers achieve a better understanding of Medicare health insurance and Medicare coverage topics. by Andrew Bynon

Medicare does not cover adult diapers and other over-the-counter incontinence supplies. Medicare beneficiaries pay 100 percent of the costs for these supplies. However, Medicare does cover treatments for the cause(s) of incontinence, such as a damaged bladder or enlarged prostates.

Key Takeaways

  • Incontinence is a condition that causes the unintentional release of urine and/or feces.
  • Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefits. It covers doctor visits, preventative care, tests, durable medical equipment, and supplies. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of most medically necessary healthcare services. covers services that treat the cause(s) of incontinence.
  • Adult diapers are used to protect a person’s hygiene when experiencing incontinence.
  • Medicare does not cover adult diapers because they are considered medically unnecessary.
  • Most Medicare Advantage plansMedicare Advantage (MA), also known as Medicare Part C, are health plans from private insurance companies that are available to people eligible for Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B). do not cover adult diapers, but some do cover limited over-the-counter supplies.

What Is Incontinence?

Incontinence is when a person experiences an accidental discharge of urine and/or feces. Medicare Part B covers treatment plans for any of these conditions that can cause incontinence:1nia.nih.gov, “Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults“, Accessed October 28, 2021

  • Weak bladder muscles.
  • Overactive bladder muscles.
  • Weak pelvic floor muscles.
  • Damage to nerves that control the bladder from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or Parkinson’s disease.
  • Blockage from an enlarged prostate in men.
  • Diseases such as arthritis may make it difficult to get to the bathroom in time.
  • Pelvic organ prolapse, which is when pelvic organs (such as the bladder, rectum, or uterus) shift out of their normal place into the vagina.
  • Prostatitis—a painful inflammation of the prostate gland.
  • Injury, or damage to nerves or muscles from surgery.
  • An enlarged prostate gland, which can lead to Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), a condition where the prostate grows as men age.

So while Medicare does not provide coverage for adult diapers, Medicare will provide coverage for services that treat these causes for a beneficiary’s incontinence.2Medicare.gov, “Incontinence pads & adult diapers“, Accessed October 28, 2021

What Are Adult Diapers?

Adult diapers, also known as incontinence pads, are worn to maintain hygiene and minimize leakage if someone is experiencing incontinence. Specially designed absorbent underclothes, similar to regular underwear, can be worn underneath everyday clothes as an alternative.3hopkinsmedicine.org, “Urinary Incontinence in Women“, Accessed October 28, 2021

Disposable adult diaper costs can range from $52 to $210 per month. The costs of adult diapers depend on how many are used per day and the quality of the product. Reusable adult diapers can be used to save money over time, with an average cost of $38 per pair.5idiaper.com, “How Much Should I Budget For Adult Diapers?“, Accessed November 8, 2021

Why Doesn’t Medicare Cover Adult Diapers?

In general, Medicare does not cover over-the-counter medical supplies, including incontinence pads. Medicare does cover medical supplies that are medically necessaryServices or supplies that are needed for the diagnosis or treatment of your medical condition and meet accepted standards of medical practice. when prescribed by a doctor.2Medicare.gov, “Incontinence pads & adult diapers“, Accessed October 28, 2021. Medically necessary services refer to services and supplies that are necessary for diagnosing or treating a beneficiary’s medical condition, as per the standards of medical practice4Medicare.gov, “What Part B covers“, Accessed October 28, 2021. Adult diapers are not strictly necessary for treating the cause of incontinence, so Medicare does not cover them.

Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Adult Diapers?

Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover the same services as Medicare Part AMedicare Part A is hospital coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. It covers inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers limited home healthcare services and hospice care. and Part B, in addition to any expanded services offered. While most Medicare Advantage plans, like Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medicare. It has two parts. Part A is hospital coverage. Part B is medical coverage., do not specifically cover incontinence supplies, some plans do offer limited coverage for over-the-counter medical supplies. Check with your plan for details.6Medicare.gov, “How do Medicare Advantage Plans work?“, Accessed October 29, 2021

Summary

If you were hoping Medicare would cover adult diapers, that is unfortunately not the case. Medicare does not cover adult diapers in any circumstance. You will have to pay the full costs for any adult diapers you buy. What Medicare will cover is treatments for the cause of your incontinence.

Citations

  • 1
    nia.nih.gov, “Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults“, Accessed October 28, 2021
  • 2
    Medicare.gov, “Incontinence pads & adult diapers“, Accessed October 28, 2021
  • 3
    hopkinsmedicine.org, “Urinary Incontinence in Women“, Accessed October 28, 2021
  • 5
    idiaper.com, “How Much Should I Budget For Adult Diapers?“, Accessed November 8, 2021
  • 4
    Medicare.gov, “What Part B covers“, Accessed October 28, 2021
  • 6
    Medicare.gov, “How do Medicare Advantage Plans work?“, Accessed October 29, 2021

Filed Under: What Does Medicare Cover?

More Posts from this Category

Primary Sidebar

Top 10 Medicare Mistakes in 2023

  • Thinking It’s Free!
  • Forgetting to Sign Up at Age 65
  • Not Signing Up If You Are Still Working
  • Joining an MA Plan if You Have Chronic Health Conditions
  • Getting the Same Plan as Your Spouse
  • Not Leveraging Assistance Programs
  • Choosing the Wrong Medigap Plan
  • Not Reviewing & Understanding Your Coverage
  • Going Out-of-Network in Your MA Plan
  • Costly Financial Moves when You Retire

Latest Blog Posts

Why Can You be Denied a Medicare Supplement Plan?

Medicare Plan N vs Plan G: Which Supplement is Best for You?

How Does the Plan K Medicare Supplement Work?

9 Facts About High Deductible Plan G and How it Works

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans: Coverage, Costs And Eligibility

Is Plan F Still Available in 2023?

What is the Cheapest Medicare Option?

Paying for Drugs When You Have a Medigap Plan

What Does Medicare Part B Excess Charges Mean?

What is Medicare Supplement Plan N and How Does it Compare?

Footer

About MedicareWire

  • About
  • Contact
  • Code of Conduct
  • MCMG Compliance
  • Privacy
  • California Consumer Privacy
  • Disclosure
  • Personally Identifiable Health Information

[1] Licensed Sales Agent

Licensed sales agent (“advisor”) services are provided by HealthCompare Insurance Services, Inc., MedicareWire’s trusted partner. Online enrollment services are provided by MedicareEnrollment.com, a HealthCompare affiliate. Read our full sales agent disclosure.

[2] Trademark Notice

MedicareWire uses legal U.S. trademarks to identify and describe Medicare and other insurance products for shoppers. See our full trademark use disclosure.

Medicare Plan Directories

  • Medicare Advantage
  • Special Needs Plans
  • Medigap Plans
  • Medicare Part D
  • Senior Dental Plans

Copyright © 2023 MedicareWire.com - All Rights Reserved
101 W Goodwin St #2487, Prescott, AZ 86302

MedicareWire.com is a non-government website and is not endorsed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or any other government agency. For official government information, please visit Medicare.gov (1-800-MEDICARE). By using MedicareWire.com you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Get a FREE Medigap Rate Analysis... and Save!


We'll save you money with a FREE Medicare Supplement insurance rate analysis!

The only way to know if you are getting the best deal on your Medicare Supplement insurance is to see all rates from all insurance carriers. That's what we'll send you when you fill out the form below. We won't spam you, call you, or sell your information. That's a promise!

Complete this form and we'll email your free report in 1 business day or less.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.