Does Medicare cover wheelchairs and scooters?

What does Medicare cover for wheelchairs and scooters?

Medicare Part B covers wheelchairs and power-operated vehicles (scooters), mobility devices that can help you get around if you have a limited ability to walk. CMS's coverage policy groups them with canes and walkers as mobility assistive equipment, and covers manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs and scooters when you meet its clinical criteria.

Medicare covers different kinds of durable medical equipment (DME) in different ways. Depending on the type of equipment, you may need to rent it, you may need to buy it, or you may be able to choose, and some items become your property after a certain number of rental payments.

Who qualifies for a Medicare-covered wheelchair or scooter?

Under CMS's coverage policy, you qualify when a mobility limitation significantly impairs your ability to take part in one or more mobility-related activities of daily living in your home, such as toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming and bathing. Your doctor works through a series of questions to match the equipment to your needs, including:

• Whether a properly fitted cane or walker would be enough
• Whether your home has the access, space and surfaces to use a wheelchair or scooter
• Whether you have enough arm function to propel a manual wheelchair in your home
• Whether you have enough strength and stability to operate a scooter
• Whether you need the features of a power wheelchair, like joystick control, a lower seat for slide transfers or special seating
• Whether you or a caregiver can operate the equipment safely

What extra steps apply to power wheelchairs and scooters?

Part B covers power wheelchairs and scooters only when they're medically necessary, and you must have a face-to-face examination and a written prescription from a treating provider before Medicare covers one. Certain types of power wheelchairs also need prior approval, called prior authorization, before Medicare will cover the cost, and Medicare.gov's list of models that require it includes many power wheelchairs and several power-operated vehicles (scooters).

You don't need to do anything for prior authorization: your DME supplier will usually send the request and required documents to Medicare for you, and your Medicare coverage and benefits stay the same. Medicare may deny the request if it finds you don't medically require a power wheelchair or doesn't get enough information to decide, and if Medicare needs more information, the supplier may resubmit the request.

What do I pay for a wheelchair or scooter with Medicare?

After you meet the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount if your supplier accepts assignment. A supplier that participates in Medicare must accept assignment and can charge you only the coinsurance and the Part B deductible.

A supplier that doesn't participate in Medicare or won't accept assignment may charge you more. For rented equipment, make sure the supplier will accept assignment for all rental months; otherwise you may have to pay the full cost upfront, and Medicare pays you its share later, after your claims are processed.

Does Medicare Advantage or Medigap change wheelchair coverage?

Medicare Advantage plans must cover all medically necessary services that Original Medicare covers, but costs vary by plan, you may need to use suppliers in the plan's network, and you may need the plan's approval (prior authorization) first. A Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy helps pay your share of Original Medicare costs, like the 20% coinsurance; what it pays depends on the policy you buy. See how prior authorization works in Medicare Advantage.

What if my wheelchair is lost or damaged in a disaster?

If Original Medicare already paid for your wheelchair and it was lost or damaged in a declared emergency or disaster, Medicare will in most cases cover the cost to repair or replace it, but only when you get it from a Medicare-approved supplier. While damaged equipment is being repaired, Medicare will usually cover the cost of rentals for items like wheelchairs. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, contact the plan to find out how it replaces lost or damaged equipment.