Key takeaways
- Original Medicare does not cover compression socks or stockings as durable medical equipment (DME), except for specific conditions such as lymphedema or chronic venous insufficiency in the legs.
- For lymphedema treatment, Medicare covers three garments per affected body part every 6 months for daytime use and two garments every 2 years for nighttime use.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may provide coverage for over-the-counter medical expenses that could include compression socks and stockings, though coverage varies by plan.
Compression socks and stockings are designed to consistently apply pressure to a person’s legs, which may help blood flow back toward the heart.
This article explains the use of compression socks and stockings, examines Medicare coverage and eligibility, and discusses costs and suppliers.
Glossary of Medicare terms
- Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
- Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
- Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
- Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
- Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
Medicare is federally regulated and has four parts: Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage (Part C), and Part D.
Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not recognize compression socks or stockings as durable medical equipment (DME) and, therefore, does not provide coverage for this legwear, except when people have lymphedema or chronic venous insufficiency in the legs. For chronic venous insufficiency, Medicare will consider compression socks as wound dressings.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) also does not cover these items, but some plans may also provide some coverage for over-the-counter medical expenses, which may include compression socks and stockings. A person can contact their Advantage plan provider to check coverage, and also ask the following questions to confirm reimbursement:
- Is there a price limit to the compression socks and stockings?
- What paperwork should I submit for reimbursement?
- Is there a limit to the number of compression stockings and socks I can purchase under this plan?
Compression devices
Some people living with lymphedema may benefit from a pneumatic compression device instead of compression stockings. Medicare covers these as DME when needed to improve the function of an affected body part.
Since venous insufficiency can lead to lymphedema, Medicare states that it will cover three garments for the treatment of lymphedema
For the treatment of lymphedema, Medicare will cover three garments per affected body part every six months for daytime use and two garments per affected body part every two years for nighttime use.
In addition, Medicare will cover the replacement of lost, stolen, or beyond-repair garments and will also replace them if a person’s condition changes, such as a change in limb size.
You can generally find socks and stockings with mild to moderate compression (8–30 mmHg) at most pharmacies, some shoe stores, and online stores and pharmacies. Higher-grade garments require a doctor’s prescription.
These items vary in price based on the amount of pressure exerted, the material of the stockings and socks, and their medical purpose. According to the Lymphedema Advocacy Group, knee-high compression stockings cost between $64 and $228.
Under Medicare, a person who qualifies for compression stockings coverage will need to meet their annual deductible to get coverage. In 2025, this amount is $257. Afterward, Medicare will cover 80% of the cost. In addition, a person will need to pay the Part B premium, which starts at $185, depending on their income level.
When it comes to Medicare Advantage (Part C), these plans are administered by private insurers, which have varying premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. According to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), the average monthly premium for Part C plans is expected to be about $17.00 in 2025.
Additionally, enrolling in a Part C plan still requires individuals to pay the Part B premium, although some Part C plans might cover the cost of the Part B premium.
If a person has enrolled in Medigap, they may get help paying for Original Medicare costs. However, a person cannot use Medigap to pay for Part C costs.
A doctor may recommend compression garments for several conditions, including venous and lymphatic disorders such as deep vein thrombosis. Other conditions may include:
- Thromboembolism: Wearing compression socks and stockings can help promote blood circulation, decreasing the amount of blood pooling in the legs and potentially avoiding blood clots.
- Swelling: Compression socks and stockings can help reduce lower-leg swelling, which can be common in congestive heart failure. They may also prevent edema or the pooling of excess fluid in the lower legs.
- Diabetes: A person with diabetes may have lower extremity edema and affected circulation. Compression stockings
can decrease lower extremity edema without negatively affecting a person’s circulation. - Orthostatic hypotension: This condition causes a person to feel faint if they stand up too quickly. The faint feeling is related to blood flow changes, which compression socks and stockings may help alleviate.
- Leg aching/tired legs: Leg aching or tiredness may be due to affected circulation in a person’s lower legs, and compression socks and stockings may help reduce these sensations.
- Venous stasis ulcers: These ulcers may be related to difficulty with blood flow in the lower legs, and generally need wound care for treatment, which may include the use of compression socks and stockings to promote blood flow.
Are there different types of socks or stockings?
Compression socks and stockings vary depending on where the compression is concentrated and the strength of the compression. Specialty socks and stockings are also available.
The variations include:
- Compression variation: Some socks and stockings have graduated compression,
which means the compression is greatest at a person’s ankle and lessens as the compression goes toward the knee. Standard compression stockings and socks exert the same pressure throughout and may be labeled as having ‘uniform’ compression. A doctor or professional usually fits graduated compression stockings. - Compression strength: Compression stockings are measured in the amount of pressure or mmHg they exert. Examples of common measurements include 15–20 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and 20–30 mmHg. Some stockings also offer ‘extra firm’ compression of 30–40 mmHg. Compression stockings of 40–50 mmHg are usually available only by prescription.
- Pneumatic compression: These are specialty compression stockings that wrap around the lower legs and use a special motor to squeeze a person’s legs intermittently to provide extra pressure. Hospitals
most commonly use these compression types for surgical and post-surgical patients.
Compression legwear may also be constructed of different materials. Some feel more like hosiery (thin) while others are made of thicker sock material.
Medicare resources
For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.
A person who is also eligible for Medicaid may also get help with costs if the program in their state covers compression stockings. This coverage depends on the state.
For Medicare to cover compression stockings, a doctor must usually write a prescription for the compression legwear for lymphedema or certify that the stocking or sock is a wound dressing for a venous ulcer.
Medicare does cover manual lymphatic drainage when medically necessary.
Compression socks and stockings may improve blood circulation and reduce the discomfort that comes with prolonged standing. Medicare will usually only cover the costs of these socks if a doctor prescribes them for wound treatments.
If a person has a Medicare Advantage plan that covers some over-the-counter expenses, they may cover the costs. A person may also wish to contact community organizations, such as the United Way, local churches, or Goodwill donation centers, to obtain free or low-cost socks or stockings.