How an Advocate Helps You Get Mobility Equipment

Content

Why mobility equipment matters
What Medicare covers
The step by step process
Video walk through
What your provider must document for faster approval
Choosing the right device
Travel and community
Costs, bills, and coverage
Home safety check after delivery
Second opinions
Get started
References

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.

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.

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
https://understoodcare.com/healthcare-info/home-safety-with-walkers-thresholds-rugs-ramps-and-fall-prevention-checklists
https://understoodcare.com/healthcare-info/upright-walkers-compared-to-standard-walkers

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
https://understoodcare.com/healthcare-info/airline-travel-with-scooters-and-wheelchairs
https://understoodcare.com/healthcare-info/cruise-and-train-travel-with-mobility-devices
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

Advocates are FREE because insurance covers them

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.