Medicare Coverage of Powered Mobility Devices

A brief explanation of whether your device may be covered by Medicare or other insurances. This is not to be considered medical or coverage advice.

7/5/20251 min read

Will Medicare Cover My Scooter or Power Wheelchair?

There are provisions in Medicare and many private insurances which allow for powered mobility devices. However, they are not universal for anyone who believes they would benefit by one. There are some basic qualifications which must be present before you would be considered. The first one is whether you can complete the Activities of Daily Living with a powered device. That is, does your medical record support that you cannot do them by using a lower cost alternative such as a cane or a walker or a manual (push) chair. If you can get to the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen without a powered mobility device, you will likely be denied, as not medically necessary.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) refer to basic self-care tasks that individuals perform to maintain their health and well-being. These tasks include:

  • Bathing: Maintaining personal hygiene through showering or bathing.

  • Dressing: Selecting and putting on appropriate clothing.

  • Toileting: Using the bathroom and managing continence.

  • Transferring: Moving between different surfaces, such as bed, chair, or toilet.

  • Eating: Preparing and consuming meals.

  • Mobility: Walking or using assistive devices to get around.

OK, but what if my doctor gives me a prescription?

It's the first step of several but it wont qualify you, by itself.

The medical record, your chart notes, must include detailed diagnoses which support that you are unable to complete the ADLS by use of a cane, or walker or or a manual wheelchair. Use for outside the home - ie helping me "get around" is NOT a consideration for insurance coverages for powered mobility. In fact, itmnj can be a "knockout" if that's the intended use.