Frequently Asked Questions

Stair Lifts

How much does a stair lift cost? 

Basic straight stair lifts, including installation, typically cost between $2,500 and $5,000, with rail length and added features being the main factors in price. Curved stair lifts generally run between $8,000 and $13,000 because the rail is custom built to follow your staircase, including any turns and landings. Your exact cost depends on your home, which is why Premier Medical Equipment offers free in-home assessments with no-obligation quotes throughout Upstate New York. 

Can a stair lift be installed on a curved or narrow staircase? 

Yes. Curved stair lifts use custom rail systems designed to fit the exact shape of your staircase, including landings, turns, and even spiral stairs. Narrow staircases work too, since most lifts need only about 30 inches of width and the seat, armrests, and footrest fold up compactly when not in use. And because the rail attaches to the stair treads rather than the wall, stair lifts can even be installed on open staircases with no wall at all. 

How long does stair lift installation take? 

Most straight stair lift installations are completed by our factory-trained technicians in a matter of hours. Curved stair lifts take longer overall because the rail is custom manufactured for your staircase before installation day. The process is simple: a free in-home assessment, a design you approve, and then installation at a time that works for you. 

What happens to a stair lift during a power outage? 

Stair lifts run on rechargeable batteries, so they keep working during a power outage. The batteries recharge whenever the lift is parked at a charging point, and some models offer continuous charging along the entire rail, so a charged lift can make multiple trips before power is restored. 

Can a stair lift be removed later without damaging my staircase? Yes. Because the rail mounts to the stair treads with screws rather than attaching to the wall, removal leaves only small holes in the treads that are easy to repair. Some homeowners even choose to leave a stair lift in place when selling, since it can appeal to buyers planning to age in place. 

What brands of stair lifts do you carry? 

Premier Medical Equipment is an authorized dealer of Ameriglide/Atlas, Handicare, Harmar, and Merits stair lifts, including outdoor models built to withstand the elements and heavy-duty models with higher weight capacities. We only partner with manufacturers we trust to work

reliably and keep you safe for years, and we will help you compare brands and models to find the right one for your needs and budget. 

Wheelchair Ramps

Should I rent or buy a wheelchair ramp? 

It depends on how long you will need it. Renting is the ideal choice for temporary situations, such as recovering from surgery or a hospital stay, while purchasing is usually the more cost-effective solution for long-term accessibility needs. Premier Medical Equipment offers wheelchair ramps for both rent and sale, and we can help you compare the costs for your situation. 

How long of a wheelchair ramp do I need? 

The general rule is 12 inches of ramp for every 1 inch of rise, so an entry that sits 21 inches above the ground needs about 21 feet of ramp. For every 30 inches of rise, a landing is required, and longer ramps also need handrails to meet ADA guidelines and accessibility codes. We come to your home or business, take accurate measurements, and design a ramp that is safe, compliant, and comfortable to use. 

What is the difference between aluminum, steel, wooden, and concrete ramps? Aluminum ramps are free-standing, quick to install and remove without drilling into your home or sidewalk, and stand up very well to New York winters. Steel ramps are just as sturdy and also free-standing, though slightly less weather-resistant than aluminum. Wooden ramps can be customized to match your home and deck but take longer to build and require more maintenance, while composite materials offer the wood look with better weather resistance. Concrete ramps are poured like a sidewalk and make sense for commercial installations or ramps that will stay in place for many years. 

Can I get a ramp installed for short-term use, like recovery after surgery? Yes, this is one of the most common requests we receive. If you or a family member temporarily needs a cane, walker, crutches, or a wheelchair, a portable ramp rental provides safe entry to the home without the cost of a permanent installation. When you no longer need it, we remove it, and free-standing ramps leave little evidence they were ever there. 

Do you install wheelchair ramps for businesses or commercial properties? Yes. Our ramps are suitable for homes, businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities, and they meet ADA guidelines for regulatory compliance. We serve commercial customers throughout our Upstate New York service area with the same free consultation process we offer homeowners.

Grab Bars and Bathroom Safety

Where should grab bars be installed in a bathroom? 

The most common locations are inside the tub or shower, next to the toilet, and anywhere you need support when standing or sitting. The bathroom is the number one place for slips and falls for people of all ages, so exact placement should be based on how you actually move through the space. We assess your bathroom and install bars where they will genuinely prevent falls, and you can choose your own grab bars for us to install or select stylish multifunction bars from our preferred partners. 

Can grab bars be installed on tile or fiberglass shower walls? 

Yes. Grab bars can be securely installed on tile, fiberglass, and most other wall surfaces when the proper anchors and techniques are used. Secure mounting rated for body weight is exactly why professional installation is worth it over a DIY approach. 

What other bathroom safety equipment do you offer? 

Beyond grab bars, we offer tub seats and tub transfer benches for safer bathing, and raised toilet seats that add three to four inches of height to make sitting down and standing up easier. Often a combination of a few well-placed items makes a bathroom dramatically safer at a modest cost. 

Handrails

Do you install handrails for stairs and hallways? 

Yes. Premier Medical Equipment offers full handrail sales and installation to improve stability on stairs, in hallways, and anywhere you need support when standing or sitting. We install Promenaid handrail systems, which navigate corners and changes in slope without a break, support over 500 pounds per bracket, and meet ADA and residential building code requirements. Most installations are completed in as little as one day. 

Can handrails be installed outdoors? 

Yes. The handrail systems we install use weather-resistant anodized finishes and protected hardware built to withstand the elements, so they perform reliably on porches, entry steps, and outdoor walkways year-round, even through Upstate New York winters. Finishes range from satin-anodized aluminum to real wood-wrapped options, so outdoor safety does not have to look institutional.

Vertical Platform Lifts

What is a vertical platform lift and who is it for? 

A vertical platform lift, sometimes called a porch lift, raises a person straight up to a porch, deck, or raised entryway, whether or not they use a wheelchair, power chair, or scooter. Lifts can accommodate up to 1000 pounds and heights up to 149 inches, and Premier Medical Equipment is an authorized dealer for EZ-ACCESS and Harmar platform lifts. 

Should I choose a wheelchair ramp or a vertical platform lift? 

It usually comes down to how high you need to go. Code-compliant ramps need 12 inches of length for every inch of rise, so reaching a porch 4 feet off the ground could require roughly 48 feet of ramp, which is expensive and impractical for many properties. In those situations a vertical platform lift is often the smarter choice, and we can assess your home and recommend the better option during a free consultation. 

How much does a vertical platform lift cost? 

Vertical platform lifts often start at $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the lifting height, the options you select, and any site modifications required, such as the concrete pad the lift sits on. A free consultation gives you an exact quote for your property. 

Are vertical platform lifts safe to use outdoors or in the rain? 

Yes. The lifts we install are ETL or UL listed and tested for safe operation in rain and wet conditions, and they use low-voltage 24-volt controls designed to National Electrical Code standards. The platform control also works on a hold-to-run basis, meaning the lift moves only while the switch is held, so the user stays in complete control. 

Cost, Insurance, and Payment

Does Medicare cover stair lifts or wheelchair ramps? 

In most cases, no. Original Medicare and Medicare supplement policies do not cover stair lifts or ramps because they are considered home modifications rather than durable medical equipment, with one rare exception for a medically necessary elevating seat component. However, some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental benefits that may help cover equipment deemed medically necessary by a licensed healthcare professional, so it is worth checking your specific plan. We are happy to point you toward funding options that may apply to your situation. 

Does Medicaid help pay for accessibility equipment in New York? Sometimes. Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs can cover certain accessibility equipment, including stair lifts and ramps, for people who apply and are approved. Waiting lists can be long and enrollment is limited, so it is worth starting the

conversation with your Medicaid caseworker early. We can provide the quotes and documentation you need for the process. 

Are there programs that help veterans pay for accessibility equipment? Yes. The VA covers stair lifts for veterans who cannot use their stairs due to service-connected disabilities, and the VA Aid and Attendance benefit and the Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services program may also help cover costs for eligible veterans. Premier Medical Equipment is a Veteran Owned Small Business certified through the U.S. Small Business Administration, and we are proud to help fellow veterans navigate these options.

About Premier Medical Equipment

What areas of Upstate New York do you serve? 

Premier Medical Equipment is independently owned and operated from Baldwinsville, NY and installs accessibility equipment throughout Upstate New York, including Syracuse, Skaneateles, Ithaca, New Hartford, Rome, Alexandria Bay, Oswego, Watertown, Cortland, Elmira and the surrounding areas. If you are not sure whether you are in our service area, call us at (315) 652-4955 and we will let you know. 

How do I contact you, and what are your hours? 

You can reach us at (315) 652-4955, then dial 1 to speak with one of our experts, or email us at contact@premiermedicalequip.com. We are open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, and closed on weekends. Consultations are always free, with no cost and no obligation, and we hold a 4.9 out of 5 star rating on Google and Facebook.