Medicare covers wheelchairs through Part B, but only after your doctor submits a written order and you meet specific medical requirements
Medicare will pay for a wheelchair if a doctor states in writing that you need one for mobility inside your home. The wheelchair must be medically necessary — meaning your condition prevents you from walking safely or at all — and your doctor must document this in your medical record before any paperwork goes to Medicare. You cannot buy a wheelchair yourself and ask Medicare to reimburse you later. The order must come from your doctor first.
Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible. You pay the remaining 20 percent. The process typically takes four to eight weeks from the time your doctor's order reaches a Medicare-approved supplier.
Key Takeaways
- Your doctor must write an order stating you need a wheelchair for mobility in your home, and this order must be in your medical record before submission to Medicare.
- Medicare covers manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, and scooters, but the type your doctor orders depends on your medical condition and functional ability.
- You must use a Medicare-approved supplier — not a general medical supply store — to may support the claim processes correctly.
- After Medicare pays its 80 percent, you owe 20 percent of the approved amount, which varies by wheelchair type and features.
- If your doctor refuses to write an order or Medicare denies the claim, you can request a detailed explanation and ask your doctor to appeal on your behalf.
What your doctor needs to document
Your doctor must write an order that includes your diagnosis, why you cannot walk safely or at all, and how a wheelchair will help you move around your home. The order goes into your medical chart. Medicare reviewers will read this order to decide whether the wheelchair is medically necessary. A vague order — "patient needs wheelchair" — will be denied. A strong order explains the specific condition: "Patient has severe arthritis in both knees and cannot stand for more than two minutes without pain" or "Patient had a stroke and has no use of left leg."
Your doctor does not submit the order to Medicare directly. Instead, you or your doctor gives the order to a Medicare-approved supplier, and the supplier handles the submission. If your doctor is unsure how to write the order, ask the supplier for a form or template — most suppliers have standard paperwork they send to doctors.
Finding and working with a Medicare-approved supplier
A Medicare-approved supplier is a medical equipment company that Medicare has vetted and contracted with. You cannot buy from a general pharmacy or online retailer and have Medicare cover it. To find approved suppliers in your area, visit the Medicare Supplier Directory at dmepos.cms.gov or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE. Search for "wheelchairs" and your ZIP code.
Once you have found a supplier, call them and tell them you want to order a wheelchair with Medicare coverage. They will ask for your doctor's name and contact information, then reach out to your doctor to request the written order. Some suppliers can fax a form to your doctor's office to speed this up. The supplier will also verify your Medicare coverage and tell you what your out-of-pocket cost will be before you proceed.
Do not assume all suppliers charge the same amount. Medicare sets an approved amount for each type of wheelchair, but suppliers can charge up to that amount. Call two or three suppliers and compare their prices for the specific wheelchair your doctor recommends.
Types of wheelchairs Medicare covers
| Type | What it is | When Medicare covers it |
|---|---|---|
| Manual wheelchair | Pushed by the user or a caregiver | When the user has arm strength and can propel it, or a caregiver is available to push |
| Motorized wheelchair (power chair) | Battery-powered, controlled by joystick or other device | When the user cannot propel a manual chair due to weakness, paralysis, or limited arm function |
| Scooter (three- or four-wheel) | Sit-on vehicle with handlebars, battery-powered | When the user can sit upright, steer, and operate controls, and needs mobility for short distances |
Your doctor decides which type is appropriate based on your strength, balance, and ability to control the device. Medicare will not cover a motorized chair if your doctor documents that you can safely use a manual chair. Similarly, Medicare will not cover a scooter if a manual or motorized wheelchair is medically appropriate for your condition.
Wheelchairs can include add-ons like cushions, armrests, or footrests. Some add-ons are covered by Medicare; others are not. Your supplier will tell you which features are included in the Medicare-approved price and which you would pay for separately.
What happens after you submit the order
Once the supplier receives your doctor's written order, they submit it to Medicare along with your medical information. Medicare has up to 30 days to review the order and decide whether to cover the wheelchair. In practice, decisions often come back in two to three weeks.
If Medicare approves the order, the supplier will contact you to confirm your address and arrange delivery. You will receive an invoice showing Medicare's 80 percent payment and your 20 percent responsibility. If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, that plan may cover some or all of your 20 percent — check your plan documents or call the plan.
If Medicare denies the order, the supplier will send you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons for denial include: the doctor's order did not clearly state medical necessity, the wheelchair type does not match the documented condition, or the supplier was not Medicare-approved. You can ask your doctor to write a more detailed order and resubmit, or you can request that your doctor appeal the denial on your behalf.
If your doctor will not write an order
If your doctor refuses to write a wheelchair order, ask why. Sometimes doctors are unsure whether Medicare will cover it, or they think you should try physical therapy first. Explain that you need the wheelchair now for safety and mobility. If your doctor still refuses, you can request a second opinion from another doctor — a physiatrist (rehabilitation doctor) or your local hospital's physical medicine department can evaluate you and write an order if appropriate.
You can also contact your state's Patient Advocate Foundation or your local Area Agency on Aging for help. These organizations can sometimes mediate between you and your doctor or connect you with a doctor who will evaluate you.
Renting versus buying
Medicare covers both rental and purchase of a wheelchair. For a manual wheelchair, Medicare typically covers rental for up to 13 months, after which you own it. For motorized wheelchairs and scooters, Medicare covers rental for up to 13 months, and then you own the device. The monthly rental cost is lower than the purchase price, but after 13 months you have paid the full purchase price and the wheelchair is yours.
If you need a wheelchair for a short time — for example, while recovering from surgery — ask your supplier whether a short-term rental is an option. Some suppliers offer rentals outside the Medicare program at lower cost if you do not need Medicare coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a prescription or just a doctor's order?
Medicare requires a written order from your doctor, not a prescription. The order documents your medical condition and why you need the wheelchair. Your doctor writes this order in your medical chart, and the supplier obtains a copy to submit to Medicare.
What if I already own a wheelchair and want Medicare to pay me back?
Medicare does not reimburse for wheelchairs you have already bought. The order must come from your doctor before you purchase or rent. If you bought a wheelchair without a doctor's order, you paid out of pocket and cannot recover that cost from Medicare.
Can I choose any wheelchair I want, or does Medicare limit the options?
Your doctor chooses the type based on your medical condition and ability to use it safely. Medicare covers the wheelchair type your doctor orders if it is medically necessary. You can ask your doctor about specific features or brands, but Medicare will only pay for what the doctor documents as medically necessary.
How long does it take to get the wheelchair after Medicare approves it?
After Medicare approves the order, the supplier typically delivers the wheelchair within one to two weeks. The entire process from doctor's order to delivery usually takes four to eight weeks, depending on how quickly your doctor responds and how fast Medicare reviews the order.
What if my wheelchair breaks and needs repair?
Medicare covers repairs and maintenance for the first 13 months of rental. After you own the wheelchair (after 13 months), repairs are your responsibility unless you have a service plan through the supplier. Ask your supplier what repairs are covered and for how long.