Medicare Mobility Scooter Coverage 2025 — Eligibility, Deadlines & Costs

HALTHCARE

7/15/20253 min read

Mobility scooters
Mobility scooters

How to Get Medicare to Pay for a Mobility Scooter in 2025

Let’s be real: mobility scooters aren’t cheap, and figuring out if Medicare will cover one feels like decoding ancient scrolls.

Here’s the good news: Medicare does cover mobility scooters — but only if you know how to play by their rules.

This blog will break it all down — step-by-step — so you can stop Googling “free scooters for seniors” and start cruising your living room like a boss.

First: Does Medicare Even Cover Mobility Scooters?

Yes, Medicare Part B covers power-operated vehicles (POVs) — aka mobility scooters — as durable medical equipment (DME). But there’s a catch: it’s only covered if you need it to get around inside your home.

Need it for grocery runs or dog walks? Sorry. Medicare says nope.

📖 More info:
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/wheelchairs-scooters

Eligibility Checklist

You’re likely eligible if ALL of these are true:

What Will It Cost You?

Let’s talk numbers:

  • Part B Deductible: $240 in 2025

  • After that: Medicare pays 80% of the scooter’s cost

  • You pay 20% (unless a Medigap or Advantage plan covers your share)

    Want to save more? Ask your supplier about rent-to-own options or check if Medicaid, VA benefits, or local non-profits can cover your share.

🛠 Check your plan here:
https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/

How to Get One: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Schedule a doctor’s appointment
Your doc must evaluate your mobility and confirm you need the scooter for daily life at home.

Step 2: Get a “seven-element order”
This is a fancy way of saying: a Medicare-approved prescription that includes:

  • Your diagnosis

  • Mobility needs

  • That you can safely operate the scooter (or have help)

  • Confirmation that your home is scooter-friendly

Step 3: Choose a Medicare-enrolled supplier
 Only buy from DME suppliers who accept Medicare assignment. Ask:
✔ “Do you accept Medicare?”
✔ “Do you accept assignment?”
✔ “What’s my cost after Medicare pays?”

🔍 Search approved suppliers here:
https://www.medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers/

Step 4: The supplier submits documents to Medicare
If you’re going for a power wheelchair or high-end scooter, Medicare may require prior authorization.

📑 More info on prior authorizations:
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/wheelchairs-scooters/power-wheelchairs-prior-authorization

Warning: Don’t Get Scammed

❌ “This scooter is free with your plan!”
❌ “No doctor visit needed!”
❌ “Just give us your Medicare number!”

Run. Those are fraud red flags.

🛡 Report suspected fraud here:
https://www.medicare.gov/basics/reporting-medicare-fraud-and-abuse

What’s NOT Covered

Even with Medicare, some costs are all yours:

  • Fancy upgrades (custom seats, off-road tires)

  • Batteries (in many cases)

  • Scooters used just for outdoor use

  • Suppliers who don’t accept Medicare

    Denied by Medicare? Here’s Your Plan B

If your claim is denied, don’t panic — you have options:

  • Appeal with more medical documentation

  • Ask your doctor to rewrite the seven-element order

  • Consider a Medicaid application

  • Look for charity programs (like Lions Club, The Independence Fund)

  • Check local Assistive Technology Programs for rentals or loans

Medicare Appeals Info:
https://www.medicare.gov/claims-appeals/how-do-i-file-an-appeal

TL;DR – What You Need to Know

What to Do

1 See your doctor for a face-to-face exam

2 Get the 7-element order

3 Choose a Medicare-approved supplier

4 Let the supplier handle Medicare paperwork

5 Pay your deductible, then 20% (unless covered by Medigap/Part C)

Get started now:
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/wheelchairs-scooters

⏰ Key Medicare Timeframes You Need to Track

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