Does Medicare Cover Your Walking Cane?

Medicare, a federal health insurance program, helps millions of individuals manage their healthcare needs. A significant aspect of this program involves coverage for durable medical equipment (DME), which includes items used to aid daily living and mobility. Walking canes are categorized under DME, meaning they can be covered under specific circumstances. Understanding these provisions is important for beneficiaries seeking assistance with mobility aids.

Medicare Coverage Basics for Canes

Medicare Part B, also known as Medical Insurance, covers walking canes. These devices are classified as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) because they serve a medical purpose, withstand repeated use, and are primarily useful to someone who is ill or injured. Additionally, DME must be appropriate for home use and expected to last at least three years. Canes, along with items like wheelchairs and walkers, meet these general criteria. However, coverage is not automatic and depends on fulfilling certain conditions.

Meeting Coverage Requirements

For Medicare to cover a walking cane, specific requirements must be satisfied, primarily centered on medical necessity. A healthcare provider must determine that the cane is medically necessary, meaning it is needed to diagnose or treat an illness, injury, or condition, and that it meets accepted medical standards. This determination typically involves a face-to-face examination with the treating practitioner within six months prior to the date of the written order. The medical record must sufficiently document the patient’s condition to substantiate the need for the cane, detailing factors like diagnosis, functional limitations, and the cane’s therapeutic value.

Following the medical necessity determination, a doctor’s order or prescription is required. This order should include the beneficiary’s name, a description of the cane, the date of the order, and the prescribing practitioner’s signature and National Provider Identifier (NPI). It is crucial to obtain the cane from a supplier that is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment, meaning they agree to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment.

Steps to Obtain a Covered Cane

Once medical necessity and prescription requirements are met, beneficiaries can obtain a covered cane. The initial step involves consulting with your doctor to ensure a cane is medically appropriate. Your doctor will then provide a written order or prescription, which serves as the official documentation of medical necessity.

With the prescription, the next step is to locate a Medicare-approved supplier that accepts assignment. These suppliers are authorized to provide DME under Medicare guidelines and will bill Medicare directly for the cane. You can contact Medicare or use their online directory to find approved suppliers. The supplier will then provide the appropriate cane based on your prescription and handle the billing process with Medicare.

Understanding Your Costs

Even with Medicare coverage, beneficiaries typically have financial responsibilities for durable medical equipment like walking canes. For Original Medicare Part B, the annual deductible applies first. In 2025, this deductible is $257. After the deductible has been met, Medicare generally pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for the cane. The beneficiary is then responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance.

For example, if a cane has a Medicare-approved amount of $50, and you have already met your Part B deductible, Medicare would pay $40, and you would pay $10. If you have not met your deductible, you would pay the full cost of the cane until the deductible is satisfied, and then the 20% coinsurance would apply. Medicare Advantage Plans, an alternative to Original Medicare, must cover at least the same benefits as Original Medicare, but they may have different cost-sharing rules, such as copayments or different coinsurance percentages. It is advisable to check with your specific Medicare Advantage Plan for details on their DME coverage and associated costs.