Does Medicare Pay for Mobility Scooters?

Medicare, the federal health insurance program, covers certain medical equipment, including mobility scooters, under specific conditions to assist beneficiaries with mobility.

Determining Eligibility for Coverage

Mobility scooters, often referred to as power-operated vehicles (POVs), fall under Durable Medical Equipment (DME) covered by Medicare Part B. To qualify, a scooter must be medically necessary for use within the beneficiary’s home due to a condition significantly impairing their mobility.

A key requirement for medical necessity is that the beneficiary cannot perform daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, or using the bathroom, even with the assistance of a cane, crutch, or walker. It is also necessary that the individual can safely operate and get on and off the scooter, or have someone consistently available to assist them. The scooter’s primary use must be within the home environment, not predominantly for outdoor or travel purposes.

The physician treating the condition plays a central role in assessing this need and documenting it in the patient’s medical records. Medicare covers the basic level of equipment that meets the medical need, focusing on functional improvement within the home.

Steps to Obtain a Scooter

Acquiring a mobility scooter through Medicare involves a structured process that begins with a medical evaluation. A beneficiary must schedule an in-person visit with their physician. During this appointment, the doctor assesses the individual’s mobility limitations to confirm the medical necessity for a power-operated vehicle.

Following the evaluation, if the physician determines a scooter is medically necessary, they will issue a written order or prescription for the device. This written order must be provided to a supplier within a specified timeframe, typically 45 days after the face-to-face examination, to avoid needing a new assessment. This documentation outlines why the scooter is required for in-home use.

The next step involves selecting a supplier that is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment. Beneficiaries can find Medicare-approved suppliers through the Medicare.gov website or by contacting Medicare directly. The chosen supplier will then work with the physician’s order, often handling the submission of claims to Medicare and, if required, managing prior authorization requests before the scooter is delivered.

Financial Responsibilities

If Medicare covers a mobility scooter, the costs are typically handled under Medicare Part B, which addresses outpatient care and durable medical equipment. Beneficiaries are responsible for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

Before Medicare begins to pay, the beneficiary must meet their annual Part B deductible. For 2025, the standard Part B deductible is $257. After this deductible has been satisfied, Medicare generally pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for the scooter.

The beneficiary is then responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance of the Medicare-approved amount. This 20% coinsurance applies as long as the supplier accepts Medicare assignment, meaning they agree to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. Some beneficiaries may have supplemental insurance, such as a Medigap policy, which could cover some or all of these out-of-pocket costs.