Does Medicare Pay for Mobility Equipment? What Medicare.Gov Says
Mobility equipment can cost hundreds of dollars, and the first question is who pays. Medicare.gov has a page on durable medical equipment, or DME, that sets out the basic rules. It is short, and it leaves out several products people ask about. This article says what the page says, and what it does not.
What Medicare.Gov Says About DME
Medicare.gov's "Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage" page makes three points that matter before you buy anything.
- Your share. After the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount if your supplier accepts assignment.
- The supplier. The page tells you to make sure your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare, and says Medicare will only pay for DME items from suppliers who are enrolled.
- The order. Part B covers the equipment if your doctor or other health care provider orders it for use in your home.
The page says its list of covered equipment "isn't limited to" the items it names. It does not say which products a given beneficiary will get, and it does not set out medical conditions.
What the Page Does Not Say
Medicare.gov's DME page does not mention lift chairs or seat lifts, so we could not confirm any coverage from it. Several websites offer opinions on lift chair coverage, but we did not use them, because they are not Medicare's own guidance. The page also does not discuss scooters, transport chairs or the other products in our guides. If you are buying one of them, ask Medicare directly.
Ask before you buy. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or your plan, and ask your doctor whether the equipment can be ordered. Buying first and asking later can leave you paying the full amount.
Things Insurance Usually Does Not Cover
University of Utah Health says adaptive equipment after joint replacement, such as a sock aid or a reacher, is not typically covered by insurance, so you buy it yourself. That likely applies to many small aids, and it is a reason to check before you spend. Grab bars, shower chairs and raised toilet seats are in the same category in practice, because our guides found no Medicare page about them.
A Short Checklist
- Ask your doctor whether the equipment can be ordered for use in your home.
- Check the supplier is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment.
- Ask what the cost will be after the deductible, and in writing if you can.
- Keep the order and receipts in case you are asked for them.
- Compare with the products in our guides if you decide to buy on your own.
Where to Look Next
If you are comparing products, see our guides to mobility scooters and lift chairs. They compare size, weight and features, and say plainly that they rest on Amazon listings and that Medicare.gov does not mention lift chairs.
Shopping for One?
Lift & MobilityBest Mobility Scooters: Five Folding and Portable 3-Wheel Scooters ComparedFive portable three-wheel mobility scooters from SuperHandy, Vive, Rascal, Hoverfly and Iris compared on range, weight limit, weight of the heaviest piece and fold, with what the FDA rule says.
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