Medicare covers power scooters, but only under specific conditions

Medicare Part B covers power scooters (also called motorized scooters or electric scooters) when your doctor prescribes one as medically necessary. The scooter must be ordered by your doctor, and you must meet Medicare's definition of homebound or have severe mobility limitations that prevent you from walking safely indoors. Medicare will not cover a scooter straightforward because walking is difficult or tiring — there must be a documented medical reason that makes walking unsafe or impossible for you.

The coverage is not automatic. Your doctor must submit a detailed order that explains why you need a scooter instead of a cane, walker, or manual wheelchair. Medicare reviews this order before approving payment. If approved, Medicare Part B typically pays 80% of the approved amount after you meet your annual deductible. You pay the remaining 20%, plus any difference between what Medicare approves and what the supplier charges.

You must obtain the scooter from a Medicare-approved supplier. Buying one on your own and then asking Medicare to reimburse you will not work — the supplier must be enrolled in Medicare and must follow Medicare's ordering process from the start.

Key Takeaways

  • Your doctor must write a detailed order stating that a power scooter is medically necessary for your specific condition, not just convenient.
  • You must use a Medicare-approved supplier, and the supplier must submit the order to Medicare before you take the scooter home.
  • Medicare Part B pays 80% of the approved amount after your deductible; you pay 20% plus any amount above Medicare's approved price.
  • Medicare requires documentation that you are homebound or have severe mobility limitations that make walking unsafe indoors.
  • If Medicare denies your claim, you have the right to request a review and provide additional medical information.

What Medicare considers medically necessary for a power scooter

Medicare has a narrow definition of when a power scooter is medically necessary. You must have a condition that severely limits your ability to walk indoors — not just outdoors or for long distances. Common conditions that may support a scooter order include severe arthritis, advanced Parkinson's disease, significant heart or lung disease that limits exertion, or neurological conditions that affect balance and coordination.

Your doctor must document that you have tried other mobility aids (such as a cane or walker) and that they are not sufficient, or that your condition makes other aids unsafe for you. Medicare also requires that your doctor confirm you are able to operate a scooter safely — meaning you have the cognitive ability to steer and control it, and the upper body strength to manage the controls.

straightforward being elderly or having general weakness is not enough. Medicare reviewers look for specific diagnoses and specific functional limitations. Your doctor's order must connect your diagnosis directly to why a scooter is the right tool for you.

The ordering and approval process

The process begins with a visit to your doctor. Bring a list of your mobility problems and any falls or near-falls you have had. Tell your doctor specifically what activities you cannot do safely — for example, "I cannot walk from my bedroom to the kitchen without holding onto furniture" or "I fell twice last month when I tried to use my walker." The more specific you are, the stronger your doctor's order will be.

Your doctor will write an order that includes your diagnosis, your functional limitations, and the reason a power scooter is necessary. The doctor will also need to state whether you are homebound (unable to leave your home without considerable and taxing effort) or have severe mobility limitations indoors.

You then contact a Medicare-approved durable medical equipment (DME) supplier. The supplier will verify that you have Medicare coverage, confirm your doctor's order, and submit everything to Medicare for review. This review typically takes one to two weeks. During this time, do not purchase or take possession of the scooter. Wait for Medicare's approval letter.

Once Medicare approves the order, the supplier will deliver the scooter and fit it to your needs. You will receive an approval letter that states what Medicare will pay and what you owe.

What you will pay out of pocket

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on whether you have met your Part B deductible for the year. For 2024, the Part B deductible is $240 (this amount changes yearly). Once you meet the deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount, and you pay 20%.

The approved amount is set by Medicare, not by the supplier's asking price. If a supplier charges $6,000 for a scooter but Medicare's approved amount is $4,000, you pay 20% of $4,000 ($800), not 20% of $6,000. Some suppliers charge more than Medicare approves and will bill you for the difference; others accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment.

Before you work with a supplier, ask them directly: "Do you accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment, or will you bill me for any amount above that?" This question will tell you whether you have additional costs beyond the 20% coinsurance.

Renting versus buying a power scooter

Medicare covers the purchase of a power scooter, not rental. Once Medicare approves your scooter, you own it. If your condition improves and you no longer need it, you cannot return it to Medicare for a refund.

Some suppliers offer rental options for people who want to try a scooter before committing to purchase, but Medicare will not pay for a rental period. You would pay out of pocket for any trial rental. If you then decide to purchase, Medicare's approval process starts fresh.

If your scooter breaks down and needs repair, Medicare does not cover repairs after the first year of ownership. You are responsible for maintenance and repair costs after that point. Some suppliers offer extended warranties or service plans that you can purchase separately.

When Medicare denies a power scooter order

Medicare denies many scooter orders because the doctor's order does not clearly document medical necessity or because the reviewer determines the person can safely use a walker or cane instead. Common reasons for denial include: the order does not explain why other mobility aids are insufficient, the diagnosis alone does not support the need, or the documentation does not show that the person is homebound or has severe indoor mobility limitations.

If Medicare denies your order, you have the right to request a review. You can ask your doctor to provide additional medical information, such as notes from recent office visits, results of balance or strength tests, or documentation of falls. Your doctor can resubmit the order with this additional detail.

You can also ask the supplier to request a peer-to-peer review, in which your doctor speaks directly with the Medicare medical reviewer by phone. This conversation often clarifies why the scooter is necessary and can result in approval.

Supplemental insurance and power scooters

If you have a Medigap (supplemental insurance) policy, it may cover some or all of your 20% coinsurance for durable medical equipment. Check your policy documents or call your Medigap insurer to ask what they cover for mobility devices. Some policies cover the full 20%; others cover a percentage.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), coverage for power scooters varies by plan. Some plans cover them the same way Original Medicare does; others have different rules or require prior approval from the plan rather than from Medicare directly. Call your plan's customer service number to ask about their specific coverage for power scooters before you ask your doctor for an order.

Questions to ask your doctor

Before your appointment, write down the specific mobility problems you are having. During the visit, ask your doctor these questions:

  • Do you think a power scooter would help me move safely indoors?
  • What specific diagnosis or condition makes a scooter medically necessary for me?
  • Have I tried other mobility aids, and if so, why are they not working?
  • Will you write an order for Medicare that explains why I need a scooter?
  • If Medicare denies the order, will you provide additional information or speak with the reviewer?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a power scooter myself and have Medicare reimburse me?

No. Medicare only pays when you use a Medicare-approved supplier and the supplier submits your doctor's order to Medicare before you take the scooter home. If you purchase a scooter on your own, Medicare will not reimburse you, even if your doctor says you need one.

What if I need a scooter for outdoor use only?

Medicare does not cover scooters for outdoor use. Coverage is limited to people who need a scooter for indoor mobility because they are homebound or have severe limitations walking indoors. If you need a scooter only for outdoor activities, you would pay out of pocket.

How long does a power scooter last, and what happens when mine breaks?

A typical power scooter lasts three to five years with normal use. Medicare covers repairs and replacement parts during the first year. After that, you pay for repairs yourself. Some suppliers sell extended service plans that cover repairs beyond the first year.

Can I get a new scooter if my old one wears out?

Medicare may cover a replacement scooter if your original one is no longer repairable and your medical need for a scooter still exists. Your doctor would need to write a new order, and Medicare would review it using the same process as the original order. There is typically a five-year waiting period between replacements unless your condition has significantly changed.

What if my Medicare Advantage plan covers power scooters differently than Original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage plans set their own coverage rules within Medicare guidelines. Some plans require prior approval from the plan instead of from Medicare, or they may have different approved suppliers. Call your plan before asking your doctor for an order to understand your plan's specific requirements and costs.