I remember when I bought my mom’s first bedside commode, I had no idea about whom to buy from, or really even which commode to buy. But since that time I have done a lot of research, both for getting equipment for my mom and for writing all of my articles, and I have been able to narrow down the retail stores and websites where I like to buy equipment.
You can buy bedside commodes at Walmart, Amazon, Walgreens, Home Depot, Target, Lowes, and at specialist medical suppliers like Rehabmart.com and American Discount Home Medical Equipment. If you want to buy a refurbished bedside commode, you have medical equipment refurbishment outlets all across the US run by non-profits and AT programs.
Content Overview & Quicklinks
Who has the widest range of bedside commodes ?
If I were shopping by type of commode, where would I go ?
Well known brands of bedside commodes
Well known brands of rolling commodes
How much does a bedside commode cost ?
Do you have Medicare Part B or a Medicare Advantage plan ?
When is a bedside commode covered by Medicare ?
Where do you buy a bedside commode with Medicare Part B ?
If you are a Veteran, can you get your bedside commode covered ?
Where can you buy a refurbished bedside commode ?
Who has the widest range of bedside commodes ?
Overall, Walmart and Amazon would seem to have the widest range of bedside commodes with all types on offer, and they have all the most popular brands.
In addition, Walmart and Amazon also have a lot of commodes from lesser known brands, and I tend to stay clear of those.
Home Depot has far fewer models, but they are all from well known brands.
Walgreens has a small range of static bedside commodes and a small range of shower commodes, again all from well known brands.
Lowes and Target carry a very few models each, from good brands, but there is little choice, and they are the most standard models.
Rehabmart.com and American Discount Medical Equipment are specialists and have a wide range of bedside commodes, and a lot of more of the specialist commodes as well.
These have to be bought from the websites – they are not nationwide chains.
If I were shopping by type of commode, where would I go ?
Folding bedside commode –
All the retailers have them and the prices are competitive.
3-in-1 or All-in-One bedside Commode –
Walmart, Amazon, Home Depot, Rehabmart.com, Home-med-equip.com
Drop Arm Commodes –
Walmart, Amazon, Rehabmart.com, Home-med-equip.com
Bariatric commodes –
Walmart, Amazon, Rehabmart.com, Home-med-equip.com
Attendant transport commodes –
Amazon, Rehabmart.com, Home-med-equip.com
Self-propelling transport commodes
Rehabmart.com, Home-med-equip.com
Attendant Shower chair transport commodes
Walmart, Amazon, Rehabmart.com, Home-med-equip.com
Self -propelling shower chair transport commodes
Walmart, Rehabmart.com, Home-med-equip.com
My favorite of all the options is American Discount Home Medical – https://home-med-equip.com, not just because they have a good range of most of the different types of bedside commode, but also because they have all the specifications for every model, all the manufacturers’ information, all the model numbers, and it is all easy to find and well laid out for the customer.
Well known brands of bedside commodes
If you are looking for a bedside commode, the following list is of well known brands of bedside commode which can be relied upon for their build quality. This list includes brands of 3-in-1, All-in-One, drop arm, lightweight extra wide, tall and bariatric or heavy-duty commodes which are static bedside commodes –
- Carex
- DMI
- Drive
- Guardian
- Homecraft
- Invacare
- Lumex
- McKesson
- Medline
- Nova
- Performance Health
- Probasics
- TFI Healthcare
- Tuffcare
- Vive
Well known brands of rolling commodes
If you are looking for a rolling commode, the following list contains well known brands of rolling commodes (on wheels) which can be relied upon for their
build quality. This list includes brands of both attendant, and of self propelling, transport and shower chair transport commodes –
- ActiveAid
- Arjo
- Drive
- Guardian
- Healthline Ezee Life
- Invacare
- Lumex
- McKesson
- Medline
- Nova
- Performance Health
- Probasics
- TFI Healthcare
- Tuffcare
How much does a bedside commode cost ?
Bedside commodes cost between $37.99 and $3303.88.
A standard portable bed side commode is typically between $70.00 – $100.00
The average price, by type, is –
Static bedside fixed arm commode – $220.00 (38 models $37.99 to $815.00)
Static drop arm bedside commode – $309.82 (33 models $72.98 to $1363.74)
Static shower chair bedside commode – $169.31 (3 models $119.95 to $199.00)
Transport bedside commode – $286.71 (11 models $192.00 to $449.00)
Shower Transport bedside commode – $917.05 (70 models $119.00 to $3303.88)
Transfer bench bedside commode – $404.99 (11 models $117.00 to $1845.00)
If you would like to see a listing of current bedside commode prices, I have an article where I have simply listed all the bedside commodes I could find, along with their weight capacity, model number and price – “How Much Does A Bedside Commode Cost ? A Guide With Over 160 Examples By Category”
Do you have Medicare Part B or a Medicare Advantage plan ?
Before you buy a bedside commode, if the commode is for someone who has either Medicare Part B or a Medicare Advantage plan, you may want to consider the purchase of a bedside commode through a Medicare-enrolled supplier, as it may be covered for up to 80% of the cost of the commode if it is considered “medically necessary”.
Below, I have outlined the conditions in brief, but if you want to find out more about how to get a bedside commode through Medicare, I have a long article all about how it all works, which also touches on other sources of funding if you aren’t enrolled in Medicare. You can read “Does Medicare Cover Bedside Commodes ?” here.
In the article to which I just linked, there is also an explanation of how individuals who are on Medicaid may also qualify for different pieces of durable medical equipment for free through different state programs.
It varies with each state, but for those on Medicaid it is possible, if your circumstances qualify you, that you can get into a program where equipment for the home is covered.
The information is in the second half of this article here. You will see where you can check what programs are available in your state, and who you have to contact to find out.
When is a bedside commode covered by Medicare ?
Medicare will typically cover 80% of the Medicare-approved price of a bedside commode if you are –
- enrolled in Medicare Part B
- have a signed prescription from a Medicare-enrolled physician which certifies that a bedside commode is a medical necessity for the patient in question
Here is text from Medicare itself –
“Commode chairs
Part B (Medical Insurance) covers commode chairs as durable medical equipment(DME) when ordered by a doctor for use in your home if you can’t use a regular toilet.“
You can read the original text here, Medicare.gov.
To qualify for a bedside commode, your physician has to show that it is considered that you are medically unable to use the toilet, or get to the toilet without assistance.
Now, I am not going to outline the whole lengthy process here, but once you have your prescription, you will then go to see a Medicare-enrolled supplier and pick out the type of bedside commode for which you have the prescription.
If you use a supplier who accepts assignment (Medicare terminology) you will pay 20% of the Medicare-approved price, as your coinsurance, and if it applies your Medicare deductible.
Now, paying your deductible for a $100 bedside commode is going to seem a bit stupid, as it will be more than the commode, but if you have already paid it that year for something else the deductible will not apply, and so you will get a $100 commode for $20, which is more interesting.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, or Part C as it is also known, you are entitled to the same coverage as medicare Part B.
The only part which changes with an Advantage plan, is that you will need to buy your commode from a supplier within your plan’s network.
Where do you buy a bedside commode with Medicare Part B ?
Medicare uses Medicare-enrolled suppliers, and to get the best prices you should only use those suppliers who are called “Medicare Participating Suppliers” and who accept assignment.
You can use this link to find a local DME supplier on Medicare.gov.
If you are a Veteran, can you get your bedside commode covered ?
If you are a veteran, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has grants, programs, forms of financial assistance and pensions which will help to cover the cost of equipment such as bedside commodes.
You can find out about your local VA Medical Centers, Clinics and offices at this link here.
Where you will buy the bedside commode may, or may not, depend on the funding, you may be able to buy it where you wish, or the VA may ask you to use a specific supplier.
Where can you buy a refurbished bedside commode ?
If you want to buy a “gently used” bedside commode which has been refurbished, there is the option of stores like Goodwill, the Salvation Army and thrift stores.
Goodwill
There are local Goodwill stores all across the country.
This is the website page to find your local store – https://www.goodwill.org/locator/
Salvation Army
There are lots of stores across the country, so use their locator to find one near you.
Go to this page on their website to find out how – https://satruck.org/
There are many nonprofit organizations working across the US refurbishing used medical equipment.
One organization which will be appraised of the different refurbishing centers and non-profits doing this will be your local Area Agency on Aging.
Area Agency On Aging
Area Agencies on Aging are deeply involved with local community groups working to help caregivers and the elderly.
To find your local Area Agency on Aging, you can use their locator tool – click here to do so.
Assistive Technology Programs
Assistive Technology Programs are state programs which work to increase access AT device and equipment for people with disabilities and the elderly, who can’t afford to pay high prices, if at all.
These AT programs are frequently are partnered with nonprofit organizations who work to recycle and refurbish devices and equipment.
Assistive Technology includes a lot of medical equipment including bedside commodes.
The AT programs will have a website where they coordinate all their services and different events that they run statewide to increase their outreach. On these sites, you can register with them if you are in need of assistance and equipment.
These websites have contact numbers which you can call and find out all about refurbishing centers, where you may be able to buy cheap equipment or even get it for free if you are in financial difficulty.
Now as well as this, almost all AT Programs have also got an “Online AT Exchange”, where once registered (for free) members can exchange, buy, sell or donate equipment. You only have to be a resident of the state to join, and you can find some great deals.
I have another article where I have listed all of these AT Programs with links to their websites and their Online AT Exchanges – the article is actually about donating bedside commodes, but there is a list of the exchange websites by state. You will find the list of states halfway through the article, and you just click on your state, and it will take you to the link to the website and exchange. You can find the article here.
I’m Gareth, the author and owner of Looking After Mom and Dad.com
I have been a caregiver for over 10 yrs and share all my tips here.
