Does Insurance or Medicare Cover Aging in Place Remodeling?
Original Medicare does not pay for home modifications like walk-in showers or grab bars — it classifies these as home improvements, not medical equipment, no matter how clearly they're tied to a fall risk or mobility need.
But that's not the end of the story. Many Medicare Advantage plans include home-safety allowances, Indiana's Medicaid Aged & Disabled waiver and CHOICE program can fund modifications for those who qualify, and veterans may be eligible for VA HISA grants worth several thousand dollars. Main Street Contractors helps Indianapolis families sort out which of these applies before work begins — and provides the documentation those programs require.
Medicare Advantage Home Safety Allowances
Unlike Original Medicare, many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans build in an annual allowance for home safety items — things like grab bars, non-slip flooring, and in some cases larger modifications like shower conversions. Coverage isn't universal: the amount, the covered items, and whether a modification qualifies at all varies by insurer and by plan year. Some plans offer this as a flex card or over-the-counter benefit; others require a request through a case manager. The most reliable way to find out what your specific plan covers is to check your plan's Summary of Benefits or call the member services number on your insurance card and ask specifically about "home safety" or "healthy home" benefits.
Indiana Medicaid Waivers — CHOICE and Aged & Disabled
Indiana runs two programs worth knowing about if a homeowner needs modifications to safely remain at home instead of moving to a nursing facility.
CHOICE (Community and Home Options to Institutional Care for the Elderly and Disabled) is state-funded, administered locally, and generally has more flexible eligibility than Medicaid — it's designed specifically to help older Hoosiers avoid or delay nursing facility placement. It can fund home modifications, among other in-home services.
The Aged & Disabled (A&D) Medicaid waiver is federally matched and requires meeting Medicaid's income and asset limits, along with a documented medical need for the level of care a nursing facility would otherwise provide. Approved applicants get a case manager who helps coordinate services, including home modifications tied to that need.
Both programs require an assessment and typically require that modifications be tied to a documented medical or safety need — a home safety assessment (like the one described on our aging in place assessment page) is a useful first step whether or not you end up applying.
VA HISA Grants
The VA's Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant helps eligible veterans fund home modifications tied to a medical condition — bathroom modifications, ramps, and widened doorways are common uses. There are two benefit categories: one for veterans with service-connected conditions, and one for veterans with certain non-service-connected conditions, each with its own lifetime dollar cap. Eligibility and the application process run through the VA, typically starting with a referral from a VA physician documenting the medical need for the modification.
What Documentation You'll Need From Us
Every funding source above — Medicare Advantage, Medicaid waivers, or VA grants — asks for paperwork that most contractors aren't set up to provide cleanly. We are. Every quote from Main Street Contractors includes:
- An itemized, task-by-task breakdown — not a single lump-sum number, which most reviewers won't accept
- Photos documenting the existing condition being addressed
- A written scope of work describing exactly what will be installed or modified and why
If your caseworker, plan administrator, or VA reviewer needs anything reformatted or expanded, we'll work directly with you to get it into the format they require.
How We Help You Navigate This
We've walked a number of Indianapolis families through this process, and we know the paperwork these programs expect. That said, we're contractors, not benefits advisors — we can't tell you whether you personally qualify for a given program. What we can do is give you documentation that holds up when you (or your caseworker) submit it, and point you toward the right program to ask about based on your situation. Confirm eligibility and covered amounts directly with your plan, your waiver caseworker, or your VA representative before counting on a specific dollar figure. This page is general information, not personalized benefits advice.
Serving Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville & Surrounding Areas
Main Street Contractors is a service-area business, which means we come to you. We serve homeowners throughout Marion County and the greater Indianapolis metro, including:
- Indianapolis — all neighborhoods and zip codes
- Carmel, IN — including newer developments and established neighborhoods
- Fishers, IN — accessible bathroom and mobility projects
- Zionsville, IN — full aging-in-place assessments and modifications
- Westfield, Noblesville, Greenwood, and surrounding communities
If you're not sure whether we serve your area, give us a call — we'll let you know right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Advantage cover bathroom modifications?
Some plans do, through an annual home-safety allowance — coverage and dollar amounts vary by insurer and plan, so check your Summary of Benefits or call member services.
What does Indiana's CHOICE program pay for?
CHOICE can fund home modifications like grab bars, ramps, and walk-in showers that help someone stay safely at home instead of moving to a nursing facility, following an in-home assessment.
What VA grants cover home modifications?
The VA's HISA grant helps eligible veterans pay for bathroom modifications, ramps, and doorway widening, up to a lifetime cap that depends on the veteran's disability category.
What documentation do funding programs need from a contractor?
Most require an itemized, task-by-task quote (not a lump sum), photos of current conditions, and a written scope of work — we provide all three as standard.
Can I combine multiple funding sources for one remodel?
Sometimes — for example a Medicaid waiver covering part of a bathroom remodel while the homeowner pays the remainder out of pocket. Your caseworker or plan can confirm what's allowed.
We'll give you documentation that holds up, whichever funding source you're pursuing. Get your free in-home estimate.
