How an Advocate Helps You Get Mobility Equipment

Why mobility equipment matters

If walking is limited by pain, shortness of breath, balance problems, neurologic conditions, or recovery from illness, the right device can help you get out of the house and enjoy daily life again. Medicare Part B treats many mobility aids as durable medical equipment when they are medically necessary for use in your home. This includes walkers and rollators, manual wheelchairs, scooters, and power wheelchairs.

Mobility support is not only about the device. It is also about safety, confidence, and staying independent. Simple home changes like removing tripping hazards and improving lighting lower fall risk and make it easier to use your new device.

What Medicare covers

Common devices Medicare may cover

• Walkers including rollators when prescribed for use in the home
• Manual wheelchairs when a cane or walker is not enough for safe mobility at home
• Scooters and power wheelchairs when medical necessity is documented, you can operate the device safely, and your doctor completes the required face to face exam and written order

Key rules that often apply

• A face to face visit with your treating provider is required before Medicare will cover a scooter or power wheelchair, and the provider must submit a detailed written order
• Some power mobility devices require prior authorization before Medicare will pay the claim. The supplier submits the order and clinical records for review
• Certain accessories can be reviewed with the base power chair when prior authorization is required
• Seat elevation on many complex power wheelchairs can be covered when specific conditions are met, including a specialty evaluation that confirms safe use in the home

The step by step process your advocate manages

This section follows the same real world flow explained in our video and adds the medical rules that make approvals smoother.

Step 1 Understand your goals and barriers

We start with your story. What activities do you want to get back to. What rooms are hardest to reach. Do you feel most stable with a walker, or does fatigue and pain make a powered device more realistic. We also discuss transportation, home layout, and caregiver support.

Related Understood Care pages to explore
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/mobility-equipment
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/transportation-help
understoodcare.com/articles/home-safety-with-walkers-thresholds-rugs-ramps-and-fall-prevention-checklists

Step 2 Prepare your doctor visit and documentation

Your advocate gathers past records, current symptoms, and a simple checklist that helps your provider document medical necessity. For scooters and power wheelchairs, Medicare requires a face to face exam and a written order that explains why a lower level device is not enough, how you will use the device in your home, and that you can operate it safely. We share the required Medicare language with the clinic so the exam note includes what is needed.

Helpful Understood Care resource
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/communication

Step 3 Schedule the visit with the right provider

We help you find an in network primary care provider or specialist who evaluates mobility needs and writes the order. We schedule the appointment, send reminders, and make sure the office knows what documents are required.
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/appointments

Step 4 Send the order to a Medicare enrolled supplier and track it

After your visit, your advocate confirms the supplier received the order and supporting notes, verifies the fax or portal submission, and keeps everything moving. If the supplier is not confirmed as Medicare enrolled, we help you pick one that is.

Step 5 Handle prior authorization when required

For many power mobility devices, Medicare requires prior authorization. Your advocate and the supplier assemble the face to face note, order, functional assessment, and any therapy evaluations, then submit to Medicare. We monitor for approval or requests for more information and keep you posted.

Step 6 Coordinate delivery, fitting, and training

Once approved, we schedule delivery. We ask the supplier to adjust the device for your height and home layout. If you receive a walker or rollator, we confirm it is the right fit and review safe use steps based on trusted clinical guidance. For power devices, we request basic driving and charging education.

Step 7 Follow up, appeals, and repairs

If anything is delayed or denied, your advocate organizes an appeal with updated notes or therapy evaluations. We also help with repairs, replacement parts, and routine maintenance scheduling.

Related Understood Care pages to explore
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/analyze-bills
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/application-help
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/disability
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/home-care‍

Video walk through of the process

In our video, your advocate explains that mobility and transportation are top needs for many people. Power chairs, scooters, and electric wheelchairs help you get back to activities you enjoy when walking is limited by disability, chronic pain, or endurance. The process can feel tedious because Medicare wants clear documentation. That is why we prepare your visit and send the Medicare guidance to your doctor so the exam and note include what is needed. After the visit the doctor writes the order and sends it to the durable medical equipment company. We confirm the supplier has the order, verify the fax or portal, and follow up until it is processed. If something is missing we call the clinic, fix the paperwork, and resend. We keep doing the back and forth so you do not have to. When everything is approved and delivered you receive basic training and you are ready to go.

What your provider must document for faster approval

Your advocate shares a clear checklist with your clinic so the face to face note and order cover the essentials Medicare looks for.

• Your diagnoses and symptoms that limit safe mobility in the home
• Why a cane or walker is not enough if requesting a wheelchair or scooter
• Your ability and willingness to use the device safely in the home
• The layout of your home that supports safe use of the device
• Results of therapy or functional testing if available
• For devices that require prior authorization, any extra details requested by Medicare and your supplier

Choosing the right device with clinical guidance

Picking a device is a clinical decision. Your provider may recommend the following.

• A walker or rollator if balance is reduced or if you cannot always bear full weight. Correct fit and training improve safety and comfort
• A manual wheelchair if walking is unsafe and you have caregiver support or arm strength for self propulsion
• A scooter or power wheelchair if fatigue, pain, or weakness keeps you from safe home mobility and you can operate the device safely after training
• Seat elevation on certain complex power chairs when you meet current Medicare criteria that support safer transfers and daily activities

For at home safety and confidence with your new device, review these practical guides
understoodcare.com/articles/home-safety-with-walkers-thresholds-rugs-ramps-and-fall-prevention-checklists

understoodcare.com/articles/upright-walkers-compared-to-standard-walkers-fit-safety-and-who-benefits

Travel and community activities with your device

Your advocate helps you plan transportation and safe travel with a walker, scooter, or wheelchair. We can book rides, coordinate building access details, and share packing and battery tips for flights and cruises.

Helpful Understood Care resources
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/transportation-help

understoodcare.com/articles/airline-travel-with-scooters-and-wheelchairs-battery-rules-packing-and-gate-check-steps

understoodcare.com/articles/cruise-and-train-travel-with-mobility-devices-what-to-expect-and-how-to-prepare

https://understoodcare.com/healthcare-info/all-terrain-rollators-on-grass-gravel-and-uneven-paths

Costs, bills, and coverage questions

We explain what Medicare pays, when rental versus purchase applies, what happens at month thirteen for certain rentals, and how to avoid surprise charges by using enrolled suppliers that accept assignment. We also review bills and appeal errors so you understand what you owe and why.
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/analyze-bills

If you need help with financial aid or disability benefits, your advocate can guide applications and track status.
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/application-help
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/disability

Home safety check after delivery

After delivery, your advocate walks through a simple safety checklist and, when needed, coordinates grab bars, threshold ramps, or home care visits. These steps reduce fall risk and help you use your new device every day with confidence.

If you want in home support such as bathing assistance or therapy scheduling, we can coordinate services and explain what is covered.
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/home-care

Second opinions and complex choices

If your condition is changing or you want to explore different device options, we can gather records and arrange a second opinion with an in network specialist.
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/second-opinion‍

Get started

Your advocate will listen to your goals, prepare your appointment, share the required Medicare language with your doctor, coordinate with a supplier, handle prior authorization when needed, track delivery and training, and follow up so you can move with greater safety and independence. If you are ready, visit
https://understoodcare.com/care-types/mobility-equipment‍

Medicare and Mobility Equipment: Frequently Asked Questions

• What types of mobility equipment does Medicare help cover?
  Medicare Part B may cover walkers, rollators, manual wheelchairs, scooters, and power wheelchairs when they are medically necessary for use in your home. The device must be prescribed by your clinician and supplied by a Medicare enrolled durable medical equipment company that meets program rules.
• Why does mobility equipment matter for my health and independence?
  The right device can reduce pain, support balance, and help you move safely when walking is limited by conditions such as arthritis, heart or lung disease, neurologic problems, or recovery from illness. Mobility support is also about confidence and safety. When combined with simple home changes such as removing tripping hazards and improving lighting, equipment can lower fall risk and make it easier to leave the house, attend appointments, and enjoy daily activities.
• What is required for Medicare to cover a walker or rollator?
  For a walker or rollator, your clinician must document that you have a medical condition that limits walking at home and that a cane alone is not enough to move safely. The prescription must go to a Medicare enrolled supplier. In many cases the device can be provided without prior authorization, but medical necessity still has to be clear in your record.
• When does Medicare cover a manual wheelchair?
  A manual wheelchair may be covered when you cannot walk safely inside your home with a cane or walker, and when the layout of your home allows the wheelchair to be used for essential daily activities. Your clinician must document why a lower level device is not adequate and whether you can self propel or have caregiver help.
• What is different about getting a scooter or power wheelchair covered?
  Scooters and power wheelchairs have additional requirements. Medicare expects a face to face visit with your treating provider before coverage, along with a detailed written order. The visit note must explain why a cane, walker, or manual wheelchair is not enough, how you will use the device in your home, and that you can operate it safely. Many power devices also require prior authorization, which means Medicare reviews the order and clinical notes before paying the claim.
• What is prior authorization and how does it affect my power chair request?
  Prior authorization is a review process Medicare uses for many power mobility devices. The supplier submits your clinician’s face to face note, the written order, any therapy evaluations, and a functional assessment to Medicare. Medicare either approves, denies, or asks for more information. Approval gives you and the supplier more certainty that the claim will be paid if the device is delivered as requested.
• Can seat elevation on a power wheelchair be covered by Medicare?
  Yes, for many complex power wheelchairs, Medicare can cover seat elevation when specific criteria are met. This usually includes a specialty evaluation that confirms you can use the feature safely and that it is needed for transfers or other essential daily activities in the home. Your clinician and supplier must follow the current Medicare policy for seat elevation when they write and submit the order.
• How does an Advocate help me start the mobility equipment process?
  Your advocate begins with your goals and daily barriers. They ask what you want to get back to, which rooms are hardest to reach, and whether you have more trouble with balance, pain, or fatigue. They also review your transportation options, home layout, and caregiver support. This information shapes which device is realistic and what your clinician needs to document.
• What does my advocate do before my doctor visit?
  Before your visit, your advocate gathers prior records, your current symptoms, and a simple checklist that matches Medicare’s medical necessity rules. For scooters and power wheelchairs, they share the required Medicare language with the clinic so the face to face exam note can include the specific details Medicare expects, such as why a lower level device is not enough and how you will use the device safely at home.
• Who should I see for the mobility evaluation, and how is the visit scheduled?
  The face to face visit is usually with your primary care provider or a specialist who knows your condition and is comfortable evaluating mobility needs. Your advocate helps you find an in network clinician, schedules the appointment, sends reminders, and makes sure the office understands what documentation and forms are required for the type of device being considered.
• What happens after my clinician writes the order?
  After your visit, your advocate confirms that the Medicare enrolled supplier has received the order and supporting notes. They verify fax or portal submissions, respond to any supplier questions, and keep the request moving. If prior authorization is required, your advocate and the supplier assemble the needed documents and submit them to Medicare, then monitor for approval or requests for more information.
• How are delivery, fitting, and training handled?
  Once Medicare coverage is confirmed, your advocate helps schedule delivery. They ask the supplier to adjust the device to your height and home layout. For walkers and rollators, they make sure the handgrips are set correctly and review safe use steps based on trusted clinical guidance. For scooters and power wheelchairs, they request basic driving and charging education so you know how to operate the device and care for the battery.
• What if my claim is denied or the process stalls?
  If a claim is delayed or denied, your advocate works with your clinician and supplier to identify what is missing or unclear. They help update notes, obtain therapy evaluations if needed, and organize an appeal. They can also help with repairs, replacement parts, and routine maintenance planning so your device stays safe to use over time.
• How does my provider’s documentation affect approval?
  Medicare places strong weight on the face to face exam note and the written order. For faster approval, your provider must clearly document your diagnoses, symptoms that limit walking at home, why a cane or walker is not enough if a wheelchair or scooter is requested, your ability and willingness to use the device safely in the home, and how the home layout supports safe use. When prior authorization applies, additional details requested by Medicare and the supplier must also be included.
• How is the “right” device chosen for me?
  Device selection is a clinical decision. Your provider considers your diagnoses, strength, endurance, balance, home environment, and support system. A walker or rollator may be chosen when you can bear weight but need steady support. A manual wheelchair may be recommended when walking is unsafe and you can self propel or have caregiver help. A scooter or power wheelchair may be appropriate when fatigue, pain, or weakness make home mobility unsafe even with simpler devices and when you can safely operate powered controls after training.
• Can I use my device for travel and community outings?
  Yes, many people use walkers, scooters, and wheelchairs to attend appointments, shop, and travel. Planning ahead matters. Your advocate can help you arrange rides, confirm building access details, and review airline and cruise rules for battery powered devices. They can share packing and battery tips for flights and cruises and help you coordinate accessible routes for community activities.
• What costs will I have, and how can an Advocate help with bills?
  Under Medicare Part B, you usually pay a percentage of the approved amount for durable medical equipment unless you have supplemental coverage. Some devices start as rentals before converting to ownership at a later month. Your advocate can explain how rental versus purchase works, confirm that your supplier accepts assignment, and review bills to catch errors. They can also help you appeal incorrect charges and guide you through applications for financial aid or disability benefits when needed.
• What home safety steps should we take after delivery?
  After delivery, it is wise to walk through a simple home safety checklist. This can include checking doorway widths and thresholds, adding grab bars or small ramps, securing or removing loose rugs, improving lighting, and planning safe routes around furniture. If you need bathing assistance or therapy to learn safe transfers, your advocate can coordinate home care or outpatient visits and explain which services your plan covers.
• How can I get started with mobility support through Understood Care?
  To begin, you can connect with an advocate who will listen to your goals, prepare your medical appointment, share required Medicare language with your doctor, coordinate with a Medicare enrolled supplier, manage prior authorization when needed, and track delivery and training. From there, they continue to follow up on repairs, coverage questions, home safety, and travel planning so you can move with greater safety and independence.

References

• Medicare durable medical equipment coverage
  https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/durable-medical-equipment-dme-coverage
• Medicare walkers coverage
  https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/walkers
• Medicare wheelchairs and scooters coverage page
  https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/wheelchairs-scooters
• Medicare supplier directory
  https://www.medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers/
• Medicare Coverage of Wheelchairs and Scooters fact sheet
  https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11046-medicare-coverage-of-wheelchairs-scooters.pdf
• Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment and Other Devices booklet
  https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11045-medicare-coverage-of-dme-and-other-devices.pdf
• CMS Power Mobility Devices Local Coverage Determination L33789
  https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?LCDId=33789
• CMS Power Mobility Devices policy article A52498
  https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleId=52498
• CMS prior authorization program for certain DMEPOS items
  https://www.cms.gov/data-research/monitoring-programs/medicare-fee-service-compliance-programs/prior-authorization-and-pre-claim-review-initiatives/prior-authorization-process-certain-durable-medical-equipment-prosthetics-orthotics-and-supplies
• CMS list of items requiring prior authorization including many power mobility devices
  https://www.cms.gov/research-statistics-data-and-systems/monitoring-programs/medicare-ffs-compliance-programs/dmepos/downloads/dmepos_pa_required-prior-authorization-list.pdf
• Medicare page showing power wheelchairs that require prior authorization
  https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/wheelchairs-scooters/power-wheelchairs-prior-authorization
• CMS National Coverage Determination 280.16 seat elevation on power wheelchairs
  https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/ncd.aspx?ncdid=376&ncdver=1
• MLN Matters summary for NCD 280.16 seat elevation
  https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mm13277-power-seat-elevation-equipment-power-wheelchairs.pdf
• Cleveland Clinic guide on using a walker and choosing walker types
  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/how-to-use-a-walker
• Mayo Clinic guidance on walkers and safe use
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/walker/art-20546805
• CDC STEADI patient resources on fall prevention and home safety checklist
  https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/patient-resources/index.html
• AAFP clinical review of mobility assistive device use in older adults
  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2021/0615/p737.html
• PubMed Central review on mobility device use and falls
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4439269/‍

This content is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.