Does Medicare Help Pay For Mobility Scooters

How To Find Mobility Scooters Covered By Medicare

There are a lot of ways to find Medicare-approved DME. As long as you have a written prescription from your doctor, then you can proceed with looking into scooters that are covered.

A scooter can help you travel where you need to go with ease. It can be an essential way to help make doing everyday tasks less painful and more convenient. Plus, there are plenty of different kinds to choose from that will meet your individual needs. You can find stores that sell Medicare-approved scooters in your area with a quick online search.

Before buying anything, make sure to read up on your healthcare coverage. Youll need to fully understand what Medicare will be paying and what you will be paying out of pocket. Its worth taking the time to research your healthcare plan once you realize how much more comfortably youll be living with a motorized scooter.

Getting A Scooter Prescription

Medicare requires a face-to-face meeting with your doctor. Make sure your doctor accepts Medicare.

At the visit, your doctor will evaluate your medical condition and prescribe a DME for you, if needed. Your doctors prescription is referred to as a seven-element order, which tells Medicare that a scooter is medically necessary.

Your doctor will submit the seven-element order to Medicare for approval.

Mobility Scooters For Disabled Veterans

Handicapped Man in town center rides on a city street using a mobility scooter.

There is no quick answer to whether VA benefits will cover a mobility scooter. The decision is made on a case-by-case basis, the same as with Medicare and Medicaid coverage for scooters. Each veteran is entitled to an evaluation to see if they qualify for coverage of a scooter or other power mobility device.

A notice sent to physicians and clinicians established protocol related to the criteria for potentially qualifying for a scooter or other DME. It also stated that a motorized wheeled mobility device is not to be prescribed solely for recreational use.

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To Get A Wheelchair You Must Satisfy Several Conditions

Your wheelchair or scooter will be covered only if your doctor and your equipment supplier are enrolled in Medicare.

Medicare will pay most of the cost of your wheelchair or scooter if all of these conditions are met:

• Your doctor submits an order stating your medical need for a wheelchair or scooter.

• You have a health condition that makes it difficult for you to move around your home.

• You cant do activities of daily living such as getting out of bed and bathing with a cane or walker.

• Youre able to safely use a wheelchair or scooter on your own, or you always have someone available to assist.

• The layout of your home will accommodate a wheelchair.

How Often Will Medicare Pay For A New Wheelchair

If you need a replacement wheelchair, discuss your options with your doctor and supplier. Typically, Medicare will pay for a new wheelchair every five years. You may be able to have Medicare cover the cost to repair your wheelchair, up to the cost of replacement. For Medicare to cover these costs, it must be repaired by a Medicare-approved supplier.

Are you eligible for cost-saving Medicare subsidies?

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How Much Does Medicare Pay For Mobility Scooters

Medicare Part B has a deductible and a 20% coinsurance. If you’ve already met your deductible, Medicare Part B will pay 80% of the cost of an approved mobility scooter. You will be responsible for the remaining amount. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your copay may be different.

Those with a Medicare supplement insurance plan may not have to pay the copay out of pocket. These plans pick up the cost of copays and deductibles, potentially saving you hundreds on a mobility scooter.

How Do I Get A Free Wheelchair From Medicare

Medicare will cover 80% of the cost of your wheelchair if you meet all of the criteria listed above. That means youll pay the remaining coinsurance of 20%. Does Medicare pay for a wheelchair at full cost? Chances are, youll need to pay some portion for your wheelchair if you have Medicare. Medicare beneficiaries use the following options to help pay for items like wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment:

Charities or donated wheelchairs: many organizations will connect you with donated wheelchairs and other equipment

Medicare Supplement Insurance : helps cover out-of-pocket costs, including Part B deductibles, coinsurance and copays

Medicare Advantage : offers the same coverages as Medicare Parts A and B but may offer more benefits, including different pricing for wheelchairs

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How Much Will It Cost Me

If your DME provider accepts the Medicare assignment costs, youll be paying 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and then the Part B deductible applies. Medicare.gov says, depending on the type of equipment, you may need to rent the equipment, you may need to buy the equipment, or you may be able to choose whether to rent or buy the equipment.

After youve visited your doctor, and he/she has written you a prescription for a scooter, you can obtain details from a DME provider, and they can share options with you. General prices for a decent scooter will range from $750-$2,000.

Repairs To Medicaid Mobility Scooters

Depending on your specific Medicaid program and place of residence, Medicaid may pay for the repairs to your scooter if the scooter is medically necessary. To be eligible for repairs, a doctor must write you a new prescription that explains the medical need and why repairs to the scooter are necessary. Coverage costs and any co-pays will depend on the individual, as well as their Medicaid program. While many people get full coverage for their Medicaid mobility scooters, including replacement batteries, some may have to pay out of pocket for repairs or replacement batteries.

If you do not qualify for Medicaid, there may be other options available to you. Learn about other mobility scooter funding sources.

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What Medicare Plans Cover Mobility Scooters

Scooter and power wheelchairs are considered durable medical equipment. That means they’re covered under Medicare Part B. So, before you can get Medicare to pay for a mobility scooter, you need to make sure you have Part B.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it may also cover the cost of a scooter. This is because Medicare Advantage plans must provide the same level of coverage that’s afforded under Medicare Parts A and B together.

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You Might Pay 20%and You Must Meet Certain Conditions

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This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet.

Medicare Part B covers wheelchairs and scooters if you need one to get around your home due to a medical condition. To ensure coverage, your doctor and the mobility equipment supplier must submit orders and documentation that meet various Medicare requirements.

To get a wheelchair, you must satisfy several conditions

Your wheelchair or scooter will be covered only if your doctor and your equipment supplier are enrolled in Medicare.

Medicare will pay most of the cost of your wheelchair or scooter if all of these conditions are met:

• Your doctor submits an order stating your medical need for a wheelchair or scooter.
• You have a health condition that makes it difficult for you to move around your home.
• You cant do activities of daily living such as getting out of bed and bathing with a cane or walker.
• Youre able to safely use a wheelchair or scooter on your own, or you always have someone available to assist.
• The layout of your home will accommodate a wheelchair.

Manual vs. power wheelchair or scooter

If you have sufficient upper body strength or a helper, you could qualify for a manual wheelchair.

Also see: Will Medicare pay for my ambulance ride?

What you pay for a wheelchair or scooter

You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for mobility equipment after you pay your Part B deductible, which in 2021 is $203. Medicare pays the rest.

Pre-approval is required for some equipment

What Is Durable Medical Equipment

Durable medical equipment refers to equipment that you use for medical reasons. This can vary widely, and includes things like canes, blood sugar monitors, oxygen equipment, and hospital beds.

DME is covered by Part B of Medicare when it is medically necessary. This means that you need to use it to treat your health condition. Your doctor will prescribe DME for you and will be able to tell you which equipment you specifically need. DME is subject to the usual Medicare costs, so you will pay a co-insurance in addition to reaching your deductible.

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What You’ll Pay For A Mobility Scooter With Medicare

If you qualify, Medicare will cover your mobility scooter in the same way that it covers most other services. You will have a coinsurance of 20% if your DME provider accepts Medicare assignment, while Medicare pays the remaining 80%. You will also have to meet your Part B deductible before Medicare coverage starts. This comes to $233 in 2022.

The option to purchase DME will not always be available. In some cases, you may only have the option of renting it.

When Does Medicare Cover Mobility Scooters

Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment, including scooters, if you have limited mobility and:

• You’re unable to perform daily tasks , even with the help of a walker, cane or crutches

• Your doctor and DME provider are both enrolled in Medicare

• The DME can be used in your home

• You can safely operate the scooter or have someone available to help you

• You can safely get on and off the scooter or have someone available to help you

• You have a health condition that makes it difficult to move around your home

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A but not Part B , you will not have coverage for durable medical equipment and other medical expenses.

If you think that enrolling in Part B would benefit you, we recommend enrolling as soon as you are eligible . Although you may have the option to enroll in Part B later, you will likely pay a Part B late enrollment penalty.

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Are There Special Requirements For My Doctor To Be Able To Order A Wheelchair

Both the doctor and the medical equipment supplier must be enrolled in Medicare in order for the claim to be covered, so double check before you purchase medical equipment.

And youll want to understand the difference between providers that accept assignment with Medicare and those that dont. A durable medical equipment supplier thats enrolled in Medicare might not accept assignment, which means that the patient will end up paying more for the equipment. As long as the supplier is enrolled in Medicare and also accepts assignment, the patient will not have to pay more than the Part B deductible and 20% of the rest of the cost. .

How Do I Get Medicare To Pay For A Mobility Scooter

The short answer is that Medicare will pay for a mobility scooter if it is deemed medically necessary. You have to get prior authorization through the medical equipment provider before you can be provided with a scooter, though.

Typically for prior authorization to be granted, you need:

• An order from a prescribing physician for the mobility scooter
• A diagnosis that indicates a need for the scooter typically, Medicare looks for a diagnosis that indicates you are physically unable to ambulate a certain amount without assistance or that you are unable to walk across a room without having serious breathing issues or other duress
• An evaluation from a medical provider that addresses your limited ability to ambulate depending on the situation, the evaluation might be conducted by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician or other qualified provider

If you can work with a durable medical equipment company to appropriately document your medical need for a mobility scooter, Medicare may approve the equipment. The DME company can then provide you with the scooter and bill Medicare for either rental payments or purchase price, depending on the situation.

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Will Medicare Cover The Cost Of Wheelchairs And Walkers

• Louise Norris

Q: Will Medicare cover the cost of wheelchairs and walkers?

A: Yes. Medicare Part B covers a portion of the cost for medically-necessary wheelchairs, walkers and other in-home medical equipment. Talk with your doctor about your needs. He or she can write a prescription that can be filled at a designated medical supply company.

Will Medicare Help Pay For A Mobility Scooter

Medicare Part B coverage includes durable medical equipment. Medicare will only cover DME that you have a medical need for, so there are some restrictions.

To qualify, relevant DME must be necessary for treating your condition. Medicare has specific criteria for mobility scooter coverage. You must have a condition that makes moving around your home difficult and be unable to perform daily tasks using other mobility aids such as crutches or canes. You also must be able to fully operate the scooter or have an available caregiver who can help you. Lastly, the scooter must be usable in your home. If the hallways and paths are too small, you may need a different type of mobility aid.

In most cases, your doctor will help determine whether you need a mobility scooter. They can also help evaluate what type of mobility aid will work best for you, since some people may benefit more from other aids or specific types of scooters.

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What Parts Of Medicare Cover Mobility Scooters

Medicare is made up of parts A, B, C, D, and Medigap.

• Medicare Part A is part of original Medicare. It covers inpatient hospital services, hospice care, nursing facility care, and home health care services.
• Medicare Part B is also part of original Medicare. It covers medically necessary services and supplies. It also covers preventive care.
• Medicare Part C is also called Medicare Advantage. Part C is purchased from private insurers. It covers everything parts A and B do, but typically includes additional coverage for prescription drugs, dental, hearing, and vision. Part C plans vary in terms of what they cover and cost.
• Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. There are multiple plans available from private insurance companies. Plans provide a list of covered medications and how much they cost, known as a formulary.
• Medigap is supplemental insurance sold by private insurers. Medigap helps pay for some of the out-of-pocket costs from parts A and B, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

Does Medicare Advantage Cover Wheelchairs Or Scooters

Medicare Advantage plans are required to offer you, at minimum, the same benefits Original Medicare does, except hospice care. This means that Medicare Advantage plans must offer you the same 80% coverage on a wheelchair that traditional Medicare does. However, theyre provided by private insurance companies, and the copayments and deductibles can vary.

In the event that your Advantage plan denies your request for a DME item or service you believe you need, you can appeal the decision and receive an independent review. If you enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan while receiving home care or prescribed medical equipment, contact your new primary care provider to ensure that youre covered.

If your Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued while youre using medical equipment, reach out to your plan to learn how to get DME coverage through Original Medicare or another Advantage policy.

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Who Is Eligible For Medicare Scooters

According to their website, Medicare helps cover the costs of mobility scooters for all people who meet the criteria with Medicare Part B. This means that if you are 65 years or older, a citizen of the United States, or at least a resident of the country for five consecutive years, you are qualified to get Medicare Part B.

This medical insurance plan covers a lot of medical services. It also provides coverage for supplies necessary to treat your medical condition. And yes, this includes durable medical equipment such as scooters and wheelchairs.

However, this coverage is only applicable if your doctor submits a written order stating that you have a medical need for a mobility scooter. It is only applicable for those who have limited mobility or if you meet all of these conditions listed below:

• You are not physically able to do activities for daily living using a cane, a walker or a crutch.
• You are suffering from a health condition that makes it difficult for you to move around
• You or your caretaker is able to safely operate the mobility scooter
• Your doctor who is treating you for the condition that requires a wheelchair or scooter and your supplier are both enrolled in Medicare.

If you qualify, please note that you will still pay for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you pay your Part B deductible for the year. This means that Medicare will only pay the other 80%. These terms and conditions listed above are only for those who are covered by Medicare Part B.