Does Medicare Cover Upright Walkers?

Are you in the market for a walking device and wondering, “Does Medicare Cover Upright Walkers?”

Upright walkers are designed to help seniors and those with mobility issues. They help people move around with less pain and more stability than regular walkers. They also eliminate the spinal and wrist pressure, which can happen when you have to hunch over a regular walker. This is because upright walkers are designed to support the movement in a secure position.

Below you will find out all about Medicare coverage for upright walkers, including the average costs of upright walkers and other helpful info.

Does Medicare Cover Upright Walkers?

The short answer is it depends. In most cases, Medicare will not cover the cost of your upright walker. However, with that being said, there may be some situations where you can get these costs reimbursed. Below we’ll take a closer look at this to see when you might be able to get Medicare to pay for your upright walker.

Original Medicare Coverage of Upright Walkers

Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) does not provide coverage for upright walkers. So that means you will have to pay 100 percent for your upright walker.

Beneficiaries of Medicare who wish to purchase an upright walker must do so out-of-pocket. This is because the supplier of these devices, Upwalkers, doesn’t accept Medicare. However, some Medicare providers will reimburse you for the cost, depending on the situation. You’ll need to contact your provider to find out for sure whether or not you can be reimbursed.

Regular walkers are considered Durable Medical Equipment (DME) by Medicare, which means they are a covered benefit.

Which Part of the Plan Covers Walkers?

Medicare Part B will cover the cost of renting or purchasing walkers and rollators if it is:

Prescribed by a trained health care practitioner to treat a condition or ailment
Prescribed by a physician who is approved by Medicare
Purchased or rented from a supplier who accepts Medicare assignments
Considered to be cost-effective

Upright walkers that fulfill these requirements may be eligible for reimbursement in full or in part via your Medicare insurance plan.

To locate approved suppliers of upright walkers in your area, go to Medicare’s medical equipment and suppliers page and enter your zip code or the name of the desired supplier in the appropriate field.

How Much of Walkers Costs Does Part B Cover?

Medicare Part B will cover up to 80 percent of the cost of a walker once you have met your yearly deductible, provided that you meet the plan’s eligibility requirements.

You’re accountable for the remaining 20% of the cost of the walker. In the case of Medicare, this 80/20 split is applied to the amount approved by the government, which is determined by which fee is less expensive: the manufacturer’s pricing or the Medicare-contracted rate.

Medigap Coverage for Upright Walkers

A Medicare Supplement plan (also known as a Medigap plan) can assist you in covering some or all of your upright walker coinsurance expenses through your health insurance plan.

Medigap insurance can also assist with the payment of other out-of-pocket Medicare expenses, such as deductibles and copays.

How Much Do Upright Walkers Cost?

Upright walkers usually cost around $600. This depends on what features you want and where you buy it.

Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may vary from plan to plan for Medicare Advantage. 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.