Key Takeaways

  • After meeting the 2025 annual deductible of $257, Medicare Part B covers 80% of the cost of renting or purchasing a wheelchair if specific conditions are met. These include having a health condition affecting mobility and obtaining approval from a Medicare-approved doctor and supplier.
  • Medicare covers three types of wheelchairs: manual wheelchairs for those who can maneuver them or who have assistance, power wheelchairs for those who can’t operate manual ones, and power scooters, which are smaller and more portable than wheelchairs but may not suit everyone.
  • People have the option of renting instead of buying a wheelchair. After 13 months of renting, ownership transfers to the beneficiary.

If a medical condition keeps you from moving freely around your house and a cane or walker just isn’t enough, a wheelchair might solve your mobility issues.

Medicare Part B covers several types of wheelchairs as long as you meet certain pre-conditions. That said, it only pays for wheelchairs when you have mobility issues inside your home. It won’t pay for a wheelchair if you only have trouble getting around outside your home.

This article reviews the qualifications for wheelchair coverage and the type of wheelchair Medicare will cover.

Under the durable medical equipment (DME) benefit, Medicare Part B covers most of the cost of a wheelchair if you have an order from your doctor.

This order should make it clear that:

  • You have a medical condition affecting your mobility. For example, your medical condition prevents you from safely getting to the bathroom or the kitchen, even if you use crutches, a walker, or a cane.
  • You’re capable of safely operating the equipment you’re requesting: Alternatively, you have someone in your home who is always on hand to help you use the wheelchair when needed.
  • Your doctor and the medical equipment supplier are both authorized Medicare providers: You can search for qualified providers online or ask your doctor and the company providing the equipment to be sure they are authorized by Medicare.
  • You can use the device safely in your home: This means using it without risking injuries or accidents because of uneven floors, obstacles in your path, or doorways too narrow for your wheelchair.

The rules for how to get a wheelchair can change temporarily if the President of the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services, or your state governor declares an emergency or disaster in your area.

To find out if you’re in one of those areas, you can call 1 (800) MEDICARE (800-633-4227). You can also find information at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website or the HHS Public Health Emergency website.

Under DME, there are three basic types of wheelchairs:

  • Manual wheelchair: If you can maneuver a manual wheelchair, it might be a good option. Even without upper body strength, you may qualify if someone at home can assist you.
  • Power wheelchair: This is an electric wheelchair, which is helpful if you can’t physically operate a manual one.
  • Power scooter: This device is also electronic but is smaller and more portable than a power wheelchair. To qualify, you must have an in-person doctor visit to confirm your ability to get in and out and stay upright while driving.
5 steps for getting a wheelchair through Medicare
  1. See your doctor to get a prescription for a wheelchair.
  2. Find out if you’ve met your annual deductible so you’ll know what you can expect to pay for your wheelchair.
  3. Contact a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier.
  4. Ask your DME supplier to submit a request for prior authorization if one is needed.
  5. If your request is denied, work with your doctor and DME supplier to provide the additional information Medicare needs.

To see the 33 types of power scooters and power wheelchairs that need prior authorization, check the current list here.

Note that to get a power wheelchair from Medicare, you may need “prior authorization” before purchase or rental. You or your medical equipment supplier can submit the documents to the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC).

You should receive a response within 10 business days. If Medicare doesn’t approve your purchase, you can appeal that decision. You or your medical equipment provider can explain in more detail why you need the device to function in your home.

A standard manual wheelchair can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,000. Electrical devices are likely to be more costly. On the other hand, renting a wheelchair is likely to be cheaper than purchasing it.

Medicare Part B pays 80% of the cost of a wheelchair after you have met your annual deductible, which is $257 in 2025.

In 2025, after you’ve met the annual Part B deductible of $257, Part B will pay for 80% of any covered treatment or service, and you cover the remaining 20% as coinsurance. You also have to pay a monthly premium for Part B that starts at $185.

Depending on the cost of your wheelchair, Medicare may request that you rent it instead of buying it from a Medicare-approved supplier. In this case, Part B will pay 80% of your monthly rental cost. After 13 months, the supplier will transfer ownership to you.

In addition, if you’re insured by Medicare Advantage (Part C) instead of Original Medicare (parts A and B), your deductible, premium, and copay will depend on your plan. According to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare (CMS), the average monthly premium for Part C plans is around $17.00 in 2025. In addition, you still have to pay the Part B premium.

Which Medicare plans are best if you know you need a wheelchair?

If you think you’re going to need a wheelchair and you’re eligible for Medicare, you will need to decide which plan will best meet your needs.

  • Medicare Part A covers hospitalization. If you need a wheelchair during a hospital stay or while you are in a nursing home, the facility will provide you with one.
  • Medicare Part B covers medical services. Under Part B, wheelchairs are covered as durable medical equipment.
  • Medicare Part C is also called Medicare Advantage. Since Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover the same benefits as original Medicare (parts A and B), wheelchairs are covered under these plans. The specific benefits and requirements will vary from plan to plan.
  • Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. Even though you need a prescription or a doctor’s order to obtain a wheelchair, they are not covered under this part of Medicare.
  • Medigap (Medicare supplements) are add-on plans to help you pay for costs that Medicare does not cover. Some Medigap plans could help you pay for some or all of the expense of a wheelchair.

If a health condition limits your mobility at home, Medicare Part B can cover 80% of the cost of a manual wheelchair, power scooter, or power wheelchair. You pay the remaining 20%, plus deductible, premiums, and copayments. Part C provides the same coverage, though your costs can vary depending on your plan.

It’s important to make sure your doctor and equipment supplier are Medicare-enrolled. Your doctor must order the device, and the supplier may need to submit extra forms based on the wheelchair type.

Watch out for Medicare fraud and abuse

Be aware of aggressive marketing techniques practiced by some DME suppliers.

If you have any questions or concerns about a DME supplier, or about someone who has come to your home to try to sell you DME, you can call the Fraud Hotline of the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-633-4227 or report it online.