Does Medicare Pay For Electric Mobility Scooters?

Yes, Medicare will cover electric mobility scooters. But, you need to be able to prove that you do have a medical condition that requires that you need a scooter to move around your home. It must be for use inside the house and not just something that allow you to move around outside.

In order for Medicare to pay for the scooter, only your doctor can prescribe the equipment. Do not order any scooter until you have visited with your doctor no matter what the sales person tells you. Your doctor must document the need for an electric scooter in your medical records and give you a signed and dated order (prescription) for the equipment.

The order for the scooter must be received by the supplier before Medicare is billed and it must be kept on file by the supplier. Remember that if you receive Medicare through an Advantage Plan, you will have to follow the insurance company steps for approval and purchase of the scooter. Be sure to contact the customer service representative and ask what their company requires.

The Cost Of A Scooter

After you have paid your annual deductible, you will pay 20 percent of Medicare-approved amounts for the mobility scooter purchase, or rental and maintenance. Those costs may be higher if the supplier doesn't accept assignment. Scooters are in the "Capped Rental" category, which means you may choose to rent or purchase it.

Once Medicare has made 10 monthly rental payments, you will be given an opportunity to purchase the scooter. The supplier will send you a Purchase Option letter in the ninth month of the rental. Normally, you will have 30 days to reply.

What About The SCOOTER Store?

The SCOOTER Store was founded in 1991 to help people with limited mobility regain freedom and independence. Based on their core ideology of “Always Do the Right Thing”, The SCOOTER Store has grown to become America’s #1 provider of power chairs and mobility scooters.

Trusted by more than 375,000 customers and 110,000 physicians, The SCOOTER Store is the nation's leader for mobility products. One of every three Medicare-covered power chairs is provided by The SCOOTER Store.

In Summary....

In order to qualify for a scooter and have Medicare pay for it, you must have Medicare Part B coverage to start with. Your doctor must have examined you, documented your need in your medical records, and provided you a prescription for the scooter. The supplier must have the order on file before billing for the scooter.