In most cases, no: Medicare, insurance and the VA do not pay for a walk-in tub directly, and Ella's Bubbles does not bill Medicare, Medicaid, insurance companies or the VA. Original Medicare generally does not cover walk-in tubs because they are not classed as durable medical equipment. That said, some customers have obtained partial reimbursement through a Medicaid waiver, a private insurer or a VA home modification grant on their own, usually with a doctor's letter of medical necessity, and the team is glad to supply the paperwork those applications need. This article explains how that process usually works and where to start.

How It Works with Ella's Bubbles

Because Ella's Bubbles is a manufacturer and not a medical provider, it cannot bill an insurance company or a government program for you. Customers who pursue coverage purchase their tub first and then seek reimbursement from their provider afterward. Some customers receive partial reimbursement and others do not, since every policy and program is different. Nobody at Ella's Bubbles can promise that a reimbursement request will succeed, so please confirm your coverage with your provider before you count on it.

Steps to Explore Reimbursement

1. Contact your insurance agent, Medicare, or your Medicaid caseworker before you purchase and ask whether a walk-in tub could be reimbursed or partially covered under your plan. Some state Medicaid waiver programs consider home accessibility modifications.
2. Ask what documentation they require. Many programs ask for a doctor's prescription or a letter of medical necessity, and some ask for an itemized proposal for the exact tub.
3. Ask your Ella dealer or the team for a written proposal on the tub you want. The article on proposals and order confirmations explains what it contains. Ella's Bubbles does not apply for grants or benefits on your behalf, but the proposal, spec sheet and product documentation can accompany your application.
4. Complete your purchase and keep your invoice and receipts.
5. Submit your documentation and receipts to your provider and follow their claims process.

Veterans: VA Grant Programs

While Ella's Bubbles is not partnered with the VA, veterans may qualify for home modification grant programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as the HISA grant, and some customers have used these funds toward their tub. Ella's Bubbles does not process VA paperwork, so please contact your local VA office or a local veterans organization to confirm your eligibility and the application steps. If the VA grants you funds, you are welcome to use them for your purchase, and the team can provide the proposal and product documents the application asks for.

A Separate Note for Veterans: Ella's Own Recognition

The VA question is often mixed up with a different benefit. Ella's Bubbles gratefully recognizes veterans and seniors on its own, and that has nothing to do with the VA or any government program. Any recognition is applied to your specific order at the time of purchase and can change, so mention your status to your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 and they will tell you exactly what applies to the tub you have chosen. You can read more in the article on veteran and senior discounts, promotions and the price match guarantee.

Medical Expense Deductions

A walk-in tub purchased for medical reasons may qualify as a medical expense for tax purposes, particularly when a physician has documented the need. Ella's Bubbles cannot give tax advice, so please ask a tax professional whether this applies to your situation and what records to keep.

Other Ways to Make It Affordable

If coverage does not work out, financing is available through the partners listed at ellasbubbles.com/financing/, with rates and terms set by the lender. The article on financing your walk-in tub explains how to apply, and the article on what goes into the cost of a walk-in tub helps you understand a proposal line by line.

Questions Worth Asking Before You Buy

The video lists the questions to ask any walk-in tub company: whether the tub is designed, assembled and tested in the USA, whether you can choose your own installer, how fast it fills and drains, whether the warranty covers all components for life, and what the total cost includes. Those same answers, along with the spec sheet for your model, are what a reviewer at an insurer, a Medicaid program or the VA typically wants to see alongside your medical documentation. For accessibility details that often matter in an application, see accessibility and wheelchair answers.

Common Questions

Still need help? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and the team will be glad to assist.