Does Medicare Cover Walkers & Canes?
Key Takeaways
- Canes and walkers are considered durable medical equipment (DME) and covered by Medicare Part B.
- Like other DME, there are certain conditions your equipment will need to meet to be covered by Medicare.
- Suppliers and doctors need to meet strict standards to enroll, and stay in, Medicare. Make sure to verify with each that they’re enrolled and accept Medicare assignments.
Does Medicare Pay for Walkers and Canes?
Medicare will pay for your walker if it’s considered medically necessary by your doctor and from a Medicare-approved supplier. Medicare will pay 80% and you will be responsible for the remaining 20%. Part B deductible applies.
How does Medicare pay for canes and walkers? Medicare can choose how it covers different kinds of Durable Medical Equipment. Depending on the type of cane or walker you need, you may need to:
- Rent the equipment.
- Buy the equipment.
- Choose whether to rent or buy the equipment.
Ready for a new Medicare Advantage plan?
Get Help Now
How Do I Get a Cane Through Medicare?
To get a cane through Medicare, you must have Medicare Part B or Medicare Advantage. Walkers covered by Medicare require a prescription from a Medicare-enrolled doctor. This step will confirm that a cane is medically necessary. This is the same process for all Durable Medical Equipment.
When you have a prescription from your doctor, you can buy your walker or cane from a medical equipment company that participates in Medicare. The medical equipment company will show you the Medicare-approved canes you can choose from.
Can You Get a Prescription for a Cane?
Yes. You can’t get Medicare to cover your cane without one. Like all other pieces of Durable Medical Equipment, your cane must be medically necessary, prescribed by a physician, and purchased through a Medicare-approved supplier.
Does Medicare Cover 4 Prong Canes?
If you need more support than a standard cane, a four-prong cane may be what you need. So, does Medicare cover canes with four prongs, also called “quad canes”? Quad canes are covered as Durable Medicare Equipment by Medicare Part B.
For coverage, the cane must be certified medically necessary and purchased from a Medicare-approved supplier. After, Medicare will pay 80% of the cost for your cane, and you’ll pay the remaining 20%.
Have questions about your Medicare coverage?
Call Today
How Do I Get Medicare to Pay for a Walker?
There are specific steps you must take for Medicare to cover your walker. It needs to be deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. Then you need to purchase it through a Medicare-approved supplier.
Your Part B deductible applies. Part B will cover 80% of the cost, and you’ll pick up the remaining 20%. If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C), some Part C benefits may pay more than the required 80%.
Is the Upright Walker Covered by Medicare?
There are several types of walkers covered by Medicare. Upright walkers and standard walkers are Durable Medical Equipment. You may rent or purchase either through Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage, as long as your walker meets the following criteria:
- It must be determined to be medically necessary by a qualified doctor or provider.
- A Medicare-approved physician must prescribe it.
- It must be purchased or rented through a supplier that accepts Medicare assignments.
Is the UPWalker Covered by Medicare?
The UPWalker is a specific brand of walker that does not accept Medicare. That means you will pay full price for an UPWalker product. Your insurance company would determine reimbursement.
How Many Walkers Will Medicare Pay for?
Medicare will typically pay for a walker once every five years. If you need a new walker before then, Medicare also can cover the cost of repairs, up to the cost of actually replacing it. A Medicare-approved supplier must perform any repairs. Medicare may replace your walker if it was stolen, lost or damaged beyond repair.
Sources
- UPWalker FAQ. UPWalker.com.
- Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment & Other Devices. Medicare.gov.
This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Our mission is to help every American get better health insurance and save money.
Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.