Overview
Medicaid is the largest program designed to provide medical and health-related services to people with low incomes and pay for covered medical services. Medicaid may cover a power wheelchair if the patient meets eligibility and coverage requirements. Title 19 of the Social Security Act is a program that provides medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. The Medicaid program is funded through a cooperative venture between the Federal and State governments. Within broad national guidelines which the Federal government provides, each of the States:
- establishes its own eligibility standards;
- determines the type, amount, duration, and scope of services;
- sets the rate of payment for services; and
- administers its own program.
Assistive technology devices, such as a motorized wheelchair, may be covered as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) under this program.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Medicaid, an individual must meet income and resource limits, and be medically needy or fall into an eligibility category specified by your state. Anyone receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is automatically eligible in some states. Medicaid will only pay for a motorized wheelchair if the individual has a medical need for the specific type of electric wheelchair he or she needs. There must also be a doctor’s prescription. Power wheelchairs can be covered as DME under Medicaid; however, coverage varies from state to state. Some of these variations include:
- Coverage for outdoor, vocational use;
- Coverage for skilled nursing homes;
- Coverage for accessories (some states have age limitations for coverage);
- Whether the power wheelchair can be purchased or rented; and
- Some states require physical therapy reports or special forms to be completed
To apply for Medicaid, please visit your local state Medicaid agency.
If my mother has Medicaid and also Medicare will it cover the full cost of a power lift chair
Hi Leroy!
Thank you for reaching out to us, Medicare covers only the “seat lift” mechanism portion of the chair. However, the specific Medicaid plan may or may not cover what Medicare does not fund. The best way to find out what exactly is covered is to contact her Medicaid plan. Please let me know if you need any additional information, always happy to help!
Best Regards,
Amanda
I’m on state medicaid was in a car wreck left me unable to do things one are is bad and both legs bad I had 32 broken bones can I qualify for power chair
Hi Shirley! The best way to verify if you qualify for a power mobility scooter or an electric wheelchair is to speak with your primary care physician. They will be able to help you with your questions and detail out with your insurance any copays/etc.
I am looking for a light weight mobility scooter for my mother. She had a couple strokes and a bunch of seizures. The left side of her body doesn’t work well. She can barley walk. How would I go about getting her a mobility scooter.
Does Medicaid pay for ibot wheelchair that are specially built for customer needs
Hi Patricia, we’re not familiar with the ibot brand but we do have several power wheelchairs that have billing codes associated with them. Here are a few: https://www.pridemobility.com/jazzy-power-chairs/models.asp many of the seats come in a variety of sizes as well.
To determine what your insurance will fund the best thing to do is contact them and ask them what your coverage and copay if applicable would be. Then you can speak to a mobility dealer who can help you. You can find one here: http://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
Most insurance offers you a healthcare coordinator. Call and ask for to speak to yours. They will help you with all your needs and strides you wish to achieve. Most offer medical rides to appointments as well as get your doctor on board with your needs and requests. Yes your combined insurance pays for chairs in full once you qualify. Not necessarily this brand but it might be it depends what your needs are and the steps you take to get it. Your doc needs to be on board, as well as your insurance.
I started the process of getting mine thru my healthcare coordinator.
Hope this help answer some questions
Medicaid pay for electric wheelchair I can’t walk hard on my back and legs I have to stay in bed most of the time and I’m really getting tired of it everytime I try to walk my back is out. and I fall how was used to pain I can’t use it no more I have surgery from both arms I told her well repair replacement on both side and I still can’t hardly move my arms I have nerve damage in my legs and feet
Hi Edward, I’ll be happy to assist you with this question! If you are receiving coverage through Medicare or Medicaid, you may qualify for coverage on a mobility device. You must have a medical need for Medicare to cover the cost of a scooter, power chair, or other mobility product. You should contact your insurance provider to get exact answers to your questions regarding coverage for your specific policy.
I just need a simple scooter till surgery I pray left leg shorter than right leg from car wreck n bent hardware?
Hi Cheryl!
i’m happy you reached out to us, I’ll be glad to help point you in the right direction. To find a dealer near you please visit this link and enter in your zip code or address, you’ll see a list of authorized Pride Mobility dealers near you. https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
We have a few scooters like the Go-Go Elite Traveller that are easy to transport and disassemble to fit into most vehicles, you can view a few of the models here: https://www.pridemobility.com/go-go-travel-mobility/models.asp
Will prime west insurance cover a mobile scooter for a stroke patient. Who is Paralyzed paralyzed on one side and only can walk a Certain distance?
Hi Sasa!
Thank you for your inquiry! My suggestion would be to contact your insurance policy to determine exact coverage. After that you can work with a provider to obtain your equipment. To find an authorized retailer please visit: https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
I have Medicaid in NV am I covered
Hi William,
Thank you so much for reaching out to us, I will be happy to help point you in the right direction. My suggestion for the most accurate answer for your coverage and how much coverage would be to contact your insurance plan and ask them about their coverage of durable medical equipment like power wheelchairs or scooters. If you need any help or if they ask you what “code” they fall under I can help provide you with those numbers.
I hope you have a great day!
Does Medicare cover an electric lift recliner. My mother cannot get in and out of her chair consistently without assistance anynore.
Hi Anthony!
Thank you for reaching out to us here with your question. We’ll be happy to help point you in the right direction. We’ve created a few resources that will help address these questions here: https://www.pridemobility.com/medicare-funding/lift-chair-medicare-coverage.asp after you review those, please let me know if you have any additional questions and I’ll be happy to help.
Thank you, and I hope you have a great day!
-Amanda
Hello,
I am disabled and on SSI, and recieve médicale, and medicaid. I am a fallu risk, and have a hard time getting out of my chair. I want to know how I can get funding for a Lift chair? I struggle every day getting out of my chair and to get around. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS REQUEST.
Sincerly,
Michelle Fluhrer
Hi Michelle!
Thank you so much for reaching out to us here regarding your interest in funding for a lift chair. I’ll be happy to direct you to where you can get some answers. We have put together some resources for your questions. You can review those resources here: https://www.pridemobility.com/medicare-funding/lift-chair-medicare-coverage.asp please let me know if you have any additional questions after checking those out?
Thank you again and I hope you have a great day Michelle!
-Amanda
I have Medicaid and will turn 60 next month am disabled and draw SSI I am basically in a chair most days thankfully I have just a small apartment but I need a lift chair as it is difficult to get up and down on my own
Friend’s husband is in long term care facility. He needs a new power chair. Facility is telling them he has to leave facility in order to get a new wheelchair. Saying he has to go to stay at his home while chair is being ordered. He’s a quad and she’s a heart transplant survivor. Both in their 70s. Also because of Covid she’s afraid to bring him home. Does he really have to leave the facility in order to replace his over 10 year old chair that is constantly in need of repair. State of Residence is Louisiana
Hi Vickie!
Thank you for reaching out to us here regarding your friends husband! I’ll be happy to help point you in the right direction. I confirmed with our in-house expert that:
Traditional Medicare will not cover a wheelchair if the patient resides in a skilled facility but may cover a new chair only if the beneficiary is being discharged to their home.
Other insurances and some Medical Assistance programs may cover a power chair in a skilled setting. Contact the insurer to see if they will cover a new power chair when the beneficiary resides in a long-term skilled facility.
The number for Medicare is 1-800-MEDICARE.
We recommend reaching out to their insurance provider(s) to see if this is something that can potentially be covered within a long-term skilled facility. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions or if there are any other resources we can help provide. Thank you, and I hope you have a great day!
-Amanda
Hi I’m on Medicare and Medicaid pays what Medicare doesn’t my doctor put me in for scooter I’m also on ssdi will I be able to pick the scooter I want or do Medicare/ Medicaid choose I need an outdoor one and indoor
Hi Rose!
Typically when your doctor is prescribing you a new mobility scooter they will fall into categories based on your diagnosis, thankfully within those categories you’ll have some great options to work with. If you happen to know what billing code they are using I can send you the options that fall within that category for you to look at.
I hope that helps and I hope you have a wonderful day! If you’d like to speak with one of our friendly representatives you can call us directly at 800-800-4258 or send us an email at info@pridemobility.com
please im on medicaid and medicare like to apply for electric chair
Hi Vergis! I hope you are having a great day so far, here is some information on how you can obtain funding for an electric chair if you qualify: https://experience.pridemobility.com/electric-wheelchairs/faqs-for-electric-wheelchairs/will-medicare-pay-for-an-electric-wheelchair/ Please feel free to contact us directly at info@pridemobility.com if you have any additional questions.
I hope this helps and thank you for visiting our blog.
I have medicaid I had knee surgery in 2018 and plantar fasciitis so it hard for me to get out of chair because they are so low. Do I qualify for a power lift chair.
Hi Jean!
I hope you are doing well, this is a great question! Typically a scooter or power chair is covered by various types of insurance based on several factors that can include condition – related symptoms. To ensure that you get answers for your coverage I would suggest speaking with your primary care physician and your insurance company directly. If they need to know what billing codes our scooters fall under I can send those to you if you would like to send me an email at amoy@pridemobility.com
I hope this helps, and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Iam currently receiveing medicaid an fidelis care at home an a fall risk I was told they only pay for the mechanism for lift chair is this true. I am unable to stand or walk distances
Hi Kim! I hope you are doing well – thank you for coming to our blog! I think this page will help answer that and a few other questions you might have around funding. There are also some reference guides that will help you step by step along the way. Please let me know if you have any additional questions, or if you’d like to talk to one of our friendly support representatives in more detail: https://www.pridemobility.com/medicare-funding/lift-chair-medicare-coverage.asp
-Amanda
Hello i have a question i recieve medicaid and my doctor wrote a perscription for a power chair since i do have many issues with my back legs and some with my arms as well and i can’t walk very much i have very bad knees . But i have not been able to find someone that accepts medicaid so tht i can get a power chair. Thanks in advance and please help.
Hi Mary! I’m so sorry for the late reply, I’ll be more than happy to help you find someone. If you want to please send me your zipcode to my email address and I can do some research for you, my email is amoy@pridemobility.com
I hope you are having a happy and safe holiday season!
Sincerely,
Amanda
My daughter has Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She is three years old and can not walk, but she has wonderful eye hand coordination and could use an electric wheel chair. She is covered by Medicaid. Would she eligible to receive one. Her doctor said he will write a prescription.
Hi Leigh!
Thank you for visiting our blog, I will be happy to help guide you toward an answer for your daughter. That’s great that she has that kind of hand-eye coordination, it helps with using a joystick to maneuver a power wheelchair for sure! I would see what her doctor says regarding her needs for a mobility device, and the next step you can take is to speak with an authorized dealer who accepts her type of insurance/coverage. You can find one by visiting our locator here https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
If you have any questions on the options for your daughter I’ll be happy to help, feel free to email me directly at amoy@pridemobility.com
I hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season!
Sincerely,
Amanda
Hi, I’m paralyzed and my power chair was supplied thru my medicaidand Medicare paying 80% of the cost. But my question to you is, how do I find out what company or whom billed my Medicare/Medicaid for my power chair ? Or should I say, what company billed my medicaid/Medicare for my power chair and where that company may be located ? And will either Medicaid/Medicare send me a copy of the billing statement invoice on my power chair so I know how much my medicaid/Medicare was billed ?
Hi Judy! We recommend contacting your medicare plan and seeing if they can give you that information. They may be able to assist you further. Thank you for reaching out!
I have a hard time walking with my back and now I have to carry oxygen with me am I eligible for a scooter?
Hi Nancy! We recommend speaking with your primary healthcare physician, they may be able to let you know if you qualify for a scooter. After you speak with your doctor, you can start your search by visiting this link and finding a dealer: https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
We hope you have a wonderful day!
I’m am total disabled can only stand for about five mins, i cant walk no more than ten mins. I have a manual wheelchair but i cant push myself in it and sometimes i have to push myself. I have server osteoarthritis in my arms and back and legs, So needless to say i cant get around in a wheelchair or out of a wheelchair. so im trying t find out how i would go about getting a motorized wheelchair. i have Wellcare Medicaid.
Hi April, I’ll be happy to help point you in the right direction. Typically you can have a conversation with your primary care physician and they will recommend if you qualify for a power wheelchair. After that conversation you can find a provider who accepts your insurance by visiting our dealer locator here: https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
If you’d like more information one of our friendly customer support representatives would be happy to assist via live chat on http://www.pridemobility.com or you can feel free to call directly at 800-800-4258
I have more questions
we’ll be happy to help look into this for you. If you would please send us an email to info@pridemobility.com
My father has ssi disability and he has medicaid.. He can barely walk and loses his balance. We live in ny pls help us
Hi Carrie, thank you for reaching out to us. We recommend speaking with his primary care physician and also a dealer that you can find here for further information on funding and coverage specific to your father: https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
They should be able to help point you in the right direction, in the meantime please let us know if you have any questions. And we hope you have a wonderful day.
What’s the cost.? A wrangler!
We recommend speaking with an authorized dealer. Local or online and you can find one by visiting: https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp they’ll be able to give you your price on a Wrangler 🙂
Everything is U S centric, but I am in Australia. Are our systems the same? I need an electric wheelchair, but need funding. I am only in Medicare, no private insurance. Will they help?
Hi Mary! We’ll be happy to put you in touch with our Australia location. They’re extremely knowledgeable and will be able to help guide you with your questions. Here’s some direct contact info: Customer Service/Product Inquiries:
prideaustralia@pride-mobility.com.au
Or you can call: 61 3 8770 9600
Hi I get SSI Disability. I have been getting SSI from birth. I have cerebral palsy etc. In 2015 I was in bad car wreck leaving me in wheelchair. The car wreck scared me into a stroke. I broke every bone in my body except my neck back & facial bones. I have metal rod’s in my legs & right thigh. I have a manual wheelchair but I can’t push myself in it and sometimes i have to push myself I am trying to find out how to get a motorized wheelchair I have Arkansas Medicaid can y’all help me
Hi Yaminah! We recommend speaking with an authorized dealer. Local or online and you can find one by visiting: https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
They will be able to steer you in the right direction concerning your insurance type. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Hello,
My name is Latrice Montgomery and I truly need a motorized wheelchair because I have had a stroke in my right leg,and it’s interfering with my left and I can’t walk,run or anything.And I am on Medicaid .So please feel free to email me at my email address and let me know if my Medicaid will pay for it.
Hi Latrice! We recommend speaking with an authorized dealer. Local or online and you can find one by visiting: https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
I live in northern California, and I have severe arthritis in my knees, and a bulged disc in my back. And I am an extremely large woman, so I would need a very wide chair. Do they have those? Would I qualify?
Hi Sandy! We have a variety of chairs that might work for you. We recommend speaking with an authorized dealer. Local or online and you can find one by visiting: https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
Hello can you help me par getting a power wheelchair on medicaid please??
Hi April! We recommend speaking with one of our knowledgeable authorized dealers here: https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
They will be able to help you with funding options and the next steps.
I live in Delaware and I am on Medicaid Will Medicaid cover a power scooter or chair I can’t stand or walk past 5-10 minutes without my back going into lots of pain.
Hi Daniel, thank you for your message, we suggest speaking with your primary healthcare provider and letting them know that you are looking at exploring your options with a mobility scooter. Then speaking with a dealer you can find one here: https://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp
I am a quadriplegic, have been for 30 years (age 18). I currently have a mobile chair that was custom made due to my disability. I have had this this current chair for over 12 years. It has fallen apart to the point of needing a replacement. It keeps me active and simply present. I believe the life of the chair has exceeded itself. What are the chances of a replacement?
Hi Teresa! Thank you very much for contacting us – we recommend speaking with your primary care physician and a dealer who can contact your insurance to see if you qualify for a replacement chair. Depending on the age of the chair and your condition they may consider it. But ultimately that’s determined by your insurance provider. If you need help finding a dealer please direct message us with your best contact info to info@pridemobility.com
Thank you so much and we hope you are having a great day!
Yes im on Molina Medicaid in Texas. I’m paralyzed from the chest down for nearly 20 years. I haven’t had a new electric wheelchair in over 10 years. How do I go about it?
Hi Staci! We hope you’re having a great day so far. Thank you for your comment, to start we would suggest speaking with your primary care physician on options for mobility then we suggest checking out our authorized dealer locator here: http://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp you can speak with one of those knowledgeable dealers and let them know what insurance you’re hoping to use along with the information from your physician.
Hey my husband has shortness of breath, can’t walk but short distance and have dizzy spells where he passes out his doctor is bew here in Louisiana and she want to get him a power scooter but she don’t know the steps to take can you help
We recommend reaching out to one of our authorized providers at: http://www.pridemobility.com/find-a-dealer.asp