Call to speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent
Mon - Fri 8am – 8pm EST; Sat - Sun 10am - 6pm EST
One of the ailments that can limit us as we age is known as foot drop. Foot drop is a medical condition where the foot muscles are too weak to lift the foot and toes while walking. Bioness L300 is marketed as a solution to this problem.
If you are thinking about using this to treat foot drop, one of the questions you may have is “does Medicare cover Bioness L300?” In this article, we answer that question in clear, plain English. You can also find pricing info for the Bioness L300 plus some other helpful info.
Does Medicare Cover Bioness L300?
The short answer is it depends. In most cases, Medicare will not cover the cost of the Bioness L300. That said, there are some situations where you can get these costs covered. Below we’ll take a closer look at this to see when you might be able to get Medicare to pay for your Bioness L300.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) does not provide coverage for the Bioness L300. So that means you will have to pay 100 percent for your Bioness L300. Even though the Bioness L300 may seem like Durable Medical Equipment, Original Medicare does not provide coverage for them.
Original Medicare does not provide coverage for the Bioness L300 if it will be used as something to treat medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
In January 2009, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services stated that Original Medicare will provide coverage for the Bioness L300. However, the Bioness L300 will only be covered by the Original Medicare if it will be used as a treatment for incomplete spinal cord injury patients suffering from foot drop.
Part C Coverage for Bioness L300
Just like with Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) also usually will not provide coverage for the Bioness L300, except for in the case of incomplete spinal cord injuries. Medicare Advantage plans have to cover everything Original Medicare covers. Though they will offer coverage for some things that Original Medicare does not. Exactly what Medicare Advantage plans will cover and what your out-of-pocket costs will be depends on the specifics of your plan.
How Much Does The Bioness L300 Cost?
You can rent the Bioness L300 for about a month for $500. But if you are planning to purchase one, it will generally cost a bit over $6,000.
How Does The Bioness L300 Work?
The Bioness L300 works by stimulating the nerves in the lower foot, thus, activating the muscles to lift the foot, allowing you to walk. The device has a sensor that will adjust based on changes to walking speed and even terrain. This means it can help people walk more easily in all sorts of environments and situations.
Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may vary from plan to plan for Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Always be sure to double check with your health care provider and/or Medicare insurance provider about what your plan covers and what it does not.
Additional Info on Medicare Coverage
This article is part of our series on “What does Medicare cover?”
Also, you can check out other articles in this series including: Does Medicare cover artificial insemination?
