What do I need to know about wheelchairs and mobility scooters?
Medicare Part B may cover wheelchairs and mobility scooters when they’re medically necessary for use in your home and prescribed by a doctor. After you meet the Part B deductible, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Medicare Advantage plans may have their own costs and approval rules.
What types of wheelchairs or mobility scooters can Medicare cover?
Medicare can cover several types of mobility devices. Knowing the basics can help when you talk with your doctor and a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier. Common options include:
- Manual wheelchair: You move the chair with your arms, or someone pushes you.
- Power wheelchair: A motor moves the chair, and you use a joystick or other controls.
- Mobility scooter (power-operated vehicle): A motor moves the scooter, and you steer with handlebars.
You may also hear “electric wheelchair” or “motorized scooter.” Medicare treats these as power wheelchairs or scooters. Medicare covers the device only when you use it in your home.
Many people who need mobility devices have ongoing health conditions that affect movement. Some Medicare plans, such as Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs), are designed to support people living with certain long-term health conditions.
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- You can find Medicare-approved scooters and wheelchairs near you. Just search by mobility aid.
- Be sure to enter your ZIP code to compare Medicare plans. You can see how DME coverage and out-of-pocket costs may vary in your area.
- To find an Aetna® network DME provider, you can use our provider search.
When does Medicare cover wheelchairs and mobility scooters?
Medicare Part B may cover a wheelchair or scooter when you have a hard time moving around at home. In some cases, people who need mobility equipment may also qualify for home health care services that help them manage care safely at home.
The goal is to help you do basic daily tasks, like bathing, dressing, getting in or out of bed, or using the bathroom. Some people may also benefit from physical therapy to help improve mobility or strength. Medicare guidelines for wheelchair and scooter coverage focus on medical need, safety and home use. In general, you may qualify when all of these are true:
- Your doctor writes an order saying you need the device for use in your home.
- Your health problem makes it very hard to move around inside your home.
- A cane, crutch or walker isn’t enough to help you do daily tasks safely.
- You can get on and off the device and use it safely, or someone is always there to help.
- Your doctor, your DME supplier are authorized to accept Medicare payments and your supplier participate in Medicare or accepts assignment.
- Your doctor or supplier checks that the device will work in your home, like fitting through doorways.
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- A manual chair may work if you have enough arm strength or help from someone else.
- A scooter may be Medicare-approved if you can sit up, steer and use the controls.
- A power wheelchair may be Medicare-approved if a manual chair won’t work in your home or you don’t qualify for a scooter.
Some power wheelchairs and scooters may need prior authorization. This means Medicare reviews the paperwork before it pays. Your supplier usually sends the request and the needed papers. Medicare can deny a request if it decides you don’t medically need the device or it doesn’t have enough info.
How much do wheelchairs and mobility scooters cost with Medicare?
What you pay depends on your Medicare coverage, the wheelchair or scooter, and whether you rent or buy.
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) costs
With Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), wheelchairs and scooters are typically covered under Part B.
Part A may cover equipment during an inpatient stay, but home equipment is usually Part B.
After you meet the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount if your supplier accepts assignment. If your supplier doesn’t accept assignment, you may pay more. For rented equipment, it’s important to know if the supplier will accept assignment for every month.
Medicare may cover the cost of some wheelchairs or scooters by renting it first. For some higher-cost items, Medicare pays to rent the item for 13 months in a row. After month 13, the supplier must give you ownership of the item. If you only need a scooter for a short time, you may be able to rent one.
If you own Medicare-covered equipment, Medicare may help pay for repairs and parts. You usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered repairs.
You may also be able to replace equipment in some cases. For example, you may need a replacement if it’s lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair. You may need to replace the equipment after about five years of use. Your supplier can tell you which paperwork you need.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) costs
Other coverage may lower what you pay. A Medigap policy or Medicaid may help with Part B costs for some people. Some people with complex health needs may qualify for Special Needs Plans (SNPs) that provide coordinated care and coverage tailored to certain conditions or situations.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) costs
If you have Medicare Advantage (Part C), copays, coinsurance and deductibles can be different. Your plan may also have its own approval rules and supplier list.
If you have other insurance, it may also change what you pay. Ask your plan how your coverages work together.
Want to plan ahead for costs? Learn about Medicare costs and cost terms
How do you get a wheelchair or scooter through Medicare?
Getting a wheelchair or scooter often takes a few steps. Your doctor and your supplier may handle most of the paperwork. Here’s a simple way to think about the process:
1. Tell your doctor what’s hard to do at home. Share where you struggle to walk and which daily tasks you can’t do safely.
2. Get the right exam and prescription. Your doctor must give you a face-to-face exam and write a prescription before you get a power wheelchair or scooter.
3. Pick a Medicare-enrolled supplier. Ask if the supplier participates in Medicare or will accept assignment.
4. Let the supplier submit the claim and any prior authorization request. You usually don’t need to send forms yourself.
5. Check fit and use at home. A Medicare DME supplier may check things like doorway width and safe turning space.
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- Which device fits my needs at home: a manual wheelchair, scooter or power wheelchair?
- What papers will be sent, and when?
- Do I need prior authorization for this device?
- Will you accept assignment for the device and for every rental month?
- If the device breaks later, who do I call?
If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, start with your plan rules. Many plans use a network of suppliers. Some plans also require plan approval before you get equipment.
Be sure to review Aetna Medicare durable medical equipment coverage details.
How do you find a wheelchair or scooter supplier?
To get coverage, you usually need to use the right kind of supplier. These tips can help you avoid surprise costs:
If you’re not sure who to use, your plan materials may list preferred suppliers. You can also ask your doctor’s office which suppliers they work with most often.
- Ask if the supplier is enrolled in Medicare.
- Ask if the supplier participates in Medicare or will accept assignment.
- If you rent, ask if the supplier will accept assignment for every rental month.
- If you have Medicare Advantage (Part C), check your plan’s supplier list and approval rules before you order.
- Keep copies of your doctor’s order and any approval letters.
Already an Aetna Medicare member?
Disclaimer
The Aetna C-SNP is available to Medicare members who have at least one of the qualifying chronic conditions. To ensure a successful enrollment process, we’ll confirm with your healthcare provider that you have one of these eligible conditions. If verification of eligible condition is not received, involuntary disenrollment will occur.