Read our quick & easy guide to qualify for a Medicare scooter
IMPORTANT: Medicare says it will cover a scooter, but in reality, it's much more difficult to get a scooter these days compared to getting a power chair. Medicare prefers to issue a power wheelchair because patients will normally move to a wheelchair from a scooter anyway. Years ago it was just as easy to get a scooter as it was a power chair. Sorry to say, but that's all changed.
These are the steps:
1. Coverage
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers power-operated vehicles (scooters) and manual wheelchairs as durable medical equipment (DME) that your doctor prescribes for use in your home.
2. Doctor visit
You must have a face-to-face examination and a written prescription from a doctor or other treating provider before Medicare helps pay for a scooter / power wheelchair. Scooters / Power wheelchairs are covered only when they're Medically necessary.
3. Your costs
If your supplier accepts Assignment you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B Deductible applies. Medicare covers the cost for different kinds of DME in different ways. Depending on the type of equipment and qualifying diagnosis for a scooter:
- You may need to rent the equipment.
- You may need to buy the equipment.
- You may be able to choose whether to rent or buy the equipment.
4. Suppliers
Medicare will only provide DME coverage if your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. Doctors and suppliers have to meet strict standards to enroll and stay enrolled in Medicare. If your doctors or suppliers aren’t enrolled, Medicare won’t pay the claims submitted by them, including scooter coverage.
It’s also important to ask your suppliers if they participate in Medicare before you get DME. If suppliers are participating suppliers, they must accept assignment (i.e. full scooter cost). If suppliers are enrolled in Medicare but aren’t “participating,” they may choose not to accept assignment. If suppliers don't accept assignment, there’s no limit on the amount they can charge you as the scooter price.
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