Does Medical Insurance Pay For A Mobility Scooter?
DISCLAIMER: We, Mobility Direct, are a private dealer and do NOT accept any type of insurance; including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Additionally, the content in this blog is generalized based on available information, so while the information might be true in most cases, it is not true in all cases/policies/coverages. We recommend that you reach out to your insurance provider directly for your individualized plan/coverage details.
Owning a mobility scooter is a life-changing experience. For those who struggle with limited mobility, these devices restore independence and drastically improve the overall quality of life. However, they can be rather costly investments. The average cost of a mobility scooter can range from $600 to $10,000 depending on the features it has. A question most commonly asked by retired seniors or those on a fixed income is, “Does medical insurance pay for a mobility scooter?” While the simple answer might be “yes”, there are numerous steps you have to take to obtain a device through insurance. In this post, we will outline the process and limitations of acquiring a covered mobility scooter.
The Maxima 3-Wheel and 4-Wheel by Pride Mobility
Qualifying for a Mobility Device
First and foremost, it is important to mention that even in the best-case scenario, the entire process takes around 9-12 months to complete through insurance. The qualification/approval period alone takes a couple of months due to the number of doctor visits and paperwork required. There are several different factors required to be approved, starting with a prescription from your doctor. Initially, a walker, cane, and manual wheelchair are considered. If your doctor rules these devices as inadequate to improve your mobility, a mobility scooter may become an option.
The coverage of DME (durable medical equipment) is designated for predominantly in-home use and will only be provided out of necessity. Therefore, your physician must document that you are struggling to perform everyday tasks and move around your residence. In some cases, a home visit is made to ensure a suitable environment for scooter use. Unfortunately, despite a prescription and mountains of paperwork, there is still the potential to be rejected/disqualified by your insurance.
Does Insurance Cover the Entire Cost?
The biggest and one of the only advantages of purchasing a mobility scooter through insurance is the monetary support. As aforementioned, scooters can be costly devices, and those with a limited budget or on a fixed income might need financial assistance attaining one. Although it depends on your policy, most cases have a fragmental out-of-pocket cost for your scooter.
For example, if you are using Medicare Part B, they cover 80% of the total cost. The remaining 20% is paid out-of-pocket or with a supplemental insurance policy. Additionally, some plans require you to purchase your approved scooter upfront through an authorized dealer. This means that you would have to pay the entire cost and then be provided with a reimbursement. Either way, the method of insurance you use determines how much a scooter would cost. Specific private insurance policies offer 100% coverage of mobility scooters. However, you still have to fulfill the entirety of their rigid guidelines and prerequisites.
The Disadvantages of Purchasing Through Insurance
There are a few notable drawbacks to purchasing through insurance rather than independently. To begin, mobility scooters are only approved in the case of absolute necessity, not for leisure or outdoor use. For individuals who require a scooter to complete basic activities; like bathing, dressing, or moving around within the home, these rigid requirements are not an issue. However, many people use scooters to regain their mobility and independence outside of the house, which insurance companies are not willing to subsidize.
The Baja Wrangler 2 by Pride Mobility – A Heavy-Duty Model
Furthermore, due to the strict nature of most policy regulations, only approved and insurance-coded models are allowed. This means a scooter will be picked for you and travel-friendly, folding, or heavy-duty models are not an option. In almost all cases, they supply the most basic and inexpensive models. If you want a fast mobility scooter or a mobility scooter with suspension, insurance will most likely not want to cover it. Unfortunately, poor quality can result in more problems, repairs, and a shorter scooter lifespan.
Alternatives to Buying Through Insurance
All in all, it is a personal choice whether to obtain a scooter through insurance or buy one from a private dealer. When you go through insurance, everything is picked for you, including the mobility scooter dealer and model. It’s worth noting that most online mobility scooter stores, do not accept insurance. Buying a mobility scooter independently assures complete freedom of choice. You can select the company to purchase from, as well as which model will suit you best. In addition, many different upgrades and add-ons are available, which is not the case when insurance provides you with an inexpensive scooter.
One great alternative is to find a trustworthy private dealer that offers affordable installment plans with low-interest rates. If you have a tight budget or are on a fixed income, an outright purchase of $700 or more can be nearly impossible to expend. Thankfully, many online dealers recognize the need for affordable options. Here at Mobility Direct, we provide the lowest prices with free shipping, no sales tax, and we have financing available. This way, mobility scooters are more easily attainable for those who truly need them and you do not have to wait months for insurance to approve you.
Take a look at the video below to learn how to finance a mobility scooter:
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the advantages and disadvantages of acquiring a mobility scooter through insurance are relative to your situation. For those with limited finances or very minimal mobility, insurance might be an affordable way to improve your in-home maneuverability. On the contrary, if you have the means and do not want to endure the waiting period, you can purchase/finance a mobility scooter through a private dealer.
If you have any questions or inquiries, you can feel free to reach out to us. We have non-commissioned sales experts ready to help find the right scooter for you.
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Andrew Fatalo is the owner of Statewide Mobility Inc & Mobility Scooters Direct. He has been in the mobility product industry since 2005 and knows a ton about e-commerce marketing. He gives back to the handicap community by hosting mobility scooter and electric wheelchair give-aways which you can learn more about by following his companies on Facebook.
