Medicare covers electric scooters only in specific situations, and only if a doctor prescribes one as medical equipment rather than a convenience device

Medicare Part B will pay for an electric scooter — called a motorized wheelchair or motorized scooter in Medicare terms — but only when a doctor documents that you cannot walk safely or far enough to meet your daily needs, and that a scooter is medically necessary. The scooter must be prescribed by your doctor, ordered through a Medicare-approved supplier, and meet Medicare's equipment standards. If you buy one on your own from a retail store or online, Medicare will not reimburse you.

The coverage amount varies. Medicare typically pays 80 percent of the approved amount after you have met your Part B deductible for the year. You pay the remaining 20 percent, plus any difference between what Medicare approves and what the supplier charges. Some Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans cover part or all of that 20 percent, depending on your plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Your doctor must document that you cannot walk the distances needed for daily life and that a motorized scooter is medically necessary, not just convenient.
  • You must order through a Medicare-approved durable medical equipment supplier, not a retail store, for Medicare to consider payment.
  • Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount after your Part B deductible; you pay 20 percent plus any amount above Medicare's approved price.
  • A face-to-face visit with your doctor within the past 12 months is required, and your doctor's prescription must be current.
  • If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, check your coverage details because some plans cover the 20 percent coinsurance.

What Medicare considers medical necessity for a scooter

Medicare does not pay for a scooter because you are tired, because stairs are hard, or because you want to move around your home faster. Medicare pays only when your doctor can document that a medical condition prevents you from walking far enough or safely enough to perform the activities of daily living — getting to the bathroom, kitchen, or doctor's office, for example.

Conditions that often support a scooter prescription include severe arthritis, heart disease that limits walking distance, neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, and lower-limb amputations. Your doctor must write that you cannot walk more than a certain distance — often 150 feet or less — without severe pain, shortness of breath, or risk of falling. The scooter must be the right tool for your specific limitation; a cane or walker might be tried first, and Medicare may ask why those are not enough.

Your doctor must have seen you in person within the past 12 months. A telehealth visit counts, but a phone call or a prescription written without a recent visit will not. If your last appointment was more than a year ago, you will need to schedule a new one before your doctor can write a current prescription.

How to order through a Medicare-approved supplier

Once your doctor writes a prescription, you cannot straightforward order a scooter online or from a local medical supply store and expect Medicare to pay. You must use a supplier that is enrolled in Medicare and approved to sell durable medical equipment. Your doctor's office can often recommend one, or you can search the Medicare Supplier Directory at dmepos.cms.gov to find suppliers in your area.

Contact the supplier and give them your Medicare number and your doctor's prescription. The supplier will submit the prescription to Medicare for review. This review step — called prior authorization — can take one to two weeks. Medicare will decide whether the scooter meets its standards and whether the price is reasonable. You should not pay anything upfront during this review; if a supplier asks you to pay before Medicare approves, ask why and get the reason in writing.

Once Medicare approves, the supplier will tell you what you owe. You pay your 20 percent coinsurance and any amount above Medicare's approved price. The supplier delivers and sets up the scooter. Keep all paperwork, including the prescription, the approval letter from Medicare, and the supplier's invoice.

What happens if Medicare denies your request

Medicare may deny a scooter prescription if your doctor's documentation does not show medical necessity, if the scooter is deemed not reasonable and necessary for your condition, or if the price is too high. You will receive a notice called an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that explains the reason for the denial.

You have the right to appeal. You can ask your doctor to provide more detailed medical records, or you can ask the supplier to resubmit with additional information about why the scooter is necessary for your specific situation. Appeals must be filed within 120 days of the denial notice. Your doctor's office or the supplier can often help you prepare an appeal, and some suppliers have staff who handle appeals regularly.

Renting versus buying a scooter

Medicare covers the purchase of a scooter, not rental. However, some suppliers offer a rent-to-own option where a portion of your monthly rental payment counts toward the purchase price. If you choose to rent first to try out a scooter before committing to buy, you would pay the full rental cost out of pocket, and Medicare would not reimburse that rental fee. Once you decide to purchase, Medicare would then cover 80 percent of the purchase price (after your deductible), not the rental payments you already made.

If you are unsure whether you will use a scooter long-term, renting out of pocket for a month or two can help you decide. Some suppliers will credit a portion of rental fees toward a future purchase if you decide to buy.

What Medicare does not cover

Medicare does not pay for scooters ordered from retail websites, big-box stores, or suppliers not enrolled in Medicare. It does not pay for upgrades like custom seats, extra batteries, or specialized tires beyond what comes standard. It does not cover repairs or maintenance after the first year, though some suppliers include a warranty period. Replacement parts and batteries are typically your responsibility after the initial equipment is delivered.

Medicare also does not pay for a second scooter, even if your first one breaks down, unless your doctor documents that you need two for different environments (one for home, one for travel, for example). That is rare and requires strong medical justification.

How Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans affect your cost

If you have a Medigap (supplemental insurance) plan, check your policy documents or call your plan to see whether it covers the 20 percent coinsurance for durable medical equipment. Some Medigap plans do; others do not. Knowing this before you order can help you budget for your out-of-pocket cost.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, coverage rules may differ from Original Medicare. Some Advantage plans cover scooters with lower coinsurance, some require prior authorization through the plan instead of Medicare, and some have different rules about which suppliers you can use. Call your Advantage plan before you ask your doctor for a prescription, because the plan's requirements may affect how your doctor writes it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a scooter myself and ask Medicare to reimburse me?

No. Medicare will only pay if you order through a Medicare-approved supplier and the supplier submits the prescription for prior authorization before you purchase. Buying on your own and then asking for reimbursement will not work.

How much does Medicare pay for a scooter?

Medicare's approved amount varies by region and supplier, typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 for a standard three-wheel or four-wheel scooter. Medicare pays 80 percent of that approved amount after your Part B deductible. You pay 20 percent, plus any amount the supplier charges above Medicare's approved price.

What if my doctor says I need a scooter but I have not seen them in over a year?

You will need to schedule a new in-person or telehealth visit with your doctor within the past 12 months before they can write a current prescription. A prescription from an old visit will not work for Medicare's prior authorization.

Do I need a prescription from my primary care doctor, or can any doctor write one?

Any doctor you have seen in person within the past 12 months can write a scooter prescription, including specialists. Your primary care doctor does not have to be the one to write it, though they often have the most complete picture of your medical history.

What if I already own a scooter and want Medicare to pay for it now?

Medicare does not reimburse for equipment you have already purchased. Coverage must be arranged before you buy. If you bought a scooter out of pocket and later learned Medicare might have paid, you cannot go back and request reimbursement.