Will Medicare or Insurance Cover a Mobility Scooter?
🛵 Getting a Mobility Scooter Covered: Your Options
There are a few different paths to getting a mobility scooter covered: your private insurance company, Medicare, or Medicaid. Each has its own process and requirements — here’s what to expect from each.
⚠️ Policies, requirements, and networks can change. This article is general information, not insurance advice. Always confirm current details directly with your plan, your doctor, or a DME supplier before making a purchase decision.
🏢 Will My Private Insurance Cover a Scooter?
Some private insurance companies will cover a mobility scooter depending on your specific plan — call your insurer directly to confirm. Here’s what to expect when you request coverage:
- Getting a doctor to give you a prescription (you’ll need to be able to safely operate the device)
- It can take longer than you might expect to actually receive your scooter
- You may not get the exact mobility scooter model you have in mind
- Your doctor may recommend a manual wheelchair, rollator, or walker instead, if that meets your needs
🏥 Will Medicare Pay For My Scooter?
Medicare Part B may cover a mobility scooter as durable medical equipment (DME) if you qualify. Here’s what to expect from the process:
- Getting a prescription and face-to-face examination from your doctor
- Waiting for Medicare to process your request, which can take some time
- Working with a Medicare-enrolled supplier — you may be offered a rental rather than a new purchase
- You may not get the exact scooter you had in mind
- Your doctor or Medicare may determine a scooter isn’t the right fit, and recommend a manual wheelchair, rollator, or walker instead
Visit the Medicare website for the latest details, since policies can change.
🏛️ Will Medicaid Pay For My Scooter?
Medicaid will also cover a mobility scooter if you qualify, following a similar process to Medicare:
- Getting a prescription from your doctor
- Waiting for your state Medicaid program to process the request
- You may not get the exact scooter you had in mind
- Your doctor or Medicaid may recommend a manual wheelchair, rollator, or walker instead
Medicaid is run separately by each state, so rules and processing times vary by where you live. For a broader look at financing options, see our Warranty, Medicare & Financial Aid Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a mobility scooter guaranteed to be covered if I have insurance?
No. Coverage always depends on medical necessity being documented by your doctor, and on the specific rules of your plan, Medicare, or Medicaid. None of these guarantee automatic approval.
What if my insurance denies my scooter request?
You can typically appeal — ask for the written reason for denial and the specific appeal steps. Many denials are documentation issues that can be corrected and resubmitted.
Can I choose exactly which scooter model I want?
Not always. Your insurer, Medicare, or Medicaid may only approve a scooter that meets specific medical criteria, which may not be the exact model or brand you had in mind.