According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 26% of adult Americans have some form of disability. The most prevalent type of functional disability relates to mobility, with almost 14% of all disabled people experiencing mobility issues. Mobility devices can be a lifeline for many seniors, enhancing their quality of life and enabling greater participation in activities. However, mobility scooters can be expensive. Fortunately, there are several ways seniors can make a mobility scooter more affordable.
This guide covers ways older adults can fund mobility scooters, including through benefits, grants and loans, and ways to make costs more affordable, such as buying second-hand equipment or renting devices.
Medicaid
Low-income seniors may be eligible for financial assistance through Medicaid. While eligibility requirements differ between states, many states provide aid to help people remain in the community, as opposed to being institutionalized in a nursing home. Such funding may be through waiver programs.
For those with physical issues, assistance may be through the provision of mobility aids, such as scooters. Mobility scooters are generally classed as durable medical equipment, which is often covered by Medicaid for qualifying seniors. Most states require proof from a physician, such as a prescription, that an individual has a medical need for a particular mobility aid.
Depending on the state and coverage conditions, seniors may need to pay for repairs and consumable parts.
Medicare
Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers durable medical equipment, including mobility scooters, for those who have a medical need for such a device. As well as having limited mobility, individuals must:
- Have a health condition that causes significant mobility issues in the home
- Be unable to perform daily activities with the assistance of a lower-level mobility aid, such as a cane or walker
- Be able to safely use the scooter
- Be able to use the scooter in the home
Individuals must have an in-person assessment from a Medicare-enrolled physician, along with a written prescription. Electric scooters must be sourced from Medicare-registered suppliers, and Medicare pre-approval is required for many devices.
Depending on the mobility scooter, individuals:
- May need to purchase equipment
- May need to rent equipment
- Might be permitted to choose whether to buy or rent equipment
Medicare doesn’t provide full funding for mobility scooters. Seniors still need to pay the Part B deductible along with 20% of the scooter’s Medicare-approved cost. For those who can’t meet these costs, state Medicaid assistance may be available via the Medicare Savings Program. Alternatively, veterans and their spouses may be eligible for assistance through programs from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Private Health Insurance
Some health insurance policies cover mobility aids. Individuals should check their policy details and speak with their providers.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Senior men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces might qualify for financial assistance for mobility scooters through programs operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some assistance programs extend to spouses and dependents.
TRICARE
The TRICARE program covers durable medical equipment if it has been prescribed by a doctor as being medically necessary. Scooters may be rented or purchased, as decided by the regional contractor.
The program covers veterans and their spouses. Depending on the health plan, beneficiaries may need to pay annual enrollment fees.
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may be eligible for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or CHAMPVA, if they don’t meet the criteria for assistance under the TRICARE program. For qualifying individuals, the program includes the provision of durable medical equipment, which may include mobility scooters if deemed medically necessary.
Charitable Grants
Many nonprofit organizations operate across the United States to help those in need of mobility equipment. Grants may cover the full cost of mobility scooters or partial amounts, where the recipient must make up the difference. Some organizations may lend equipment to people.
Organizations include:
- American Outreach Foundation
- Friends of Disabled Adults and Children
- Tyler Schrenk Foundation
- Wheels of Happiness Foundation
- Hope Haven
- United Way
- Numotion Foundation
- Triumph Foundation
Each organization has its own eligibility criteria, including regional availability, though most do require proof of medical need. While some charities can help immediately, most operate waiting lists. Some offer limited grants, with recipients chosen from a pool.
Loans and Finance Agreements
Seniors who can’t obtain funding for mobility scooters from other sources may consider borrowing funds from a bank or an official lender or entering into a finance agreement. While neither option reduces the overall cost of buying mobility equipment, making regular repayments and spreading the cost over a longer period of time may make it possible for seniors to buy mobility scooters.
Used Equipment
For those who must finance their own mobility scooters, buying used or reconditioned equipment is more affordable than purchasing new devices. Savings can be significant, even on equipment that has barely been used.
Rental Equipment
Individuals who can’t obtain financial assistance for mobility scooters or have been placed on a long waiting list may find it more affordable to rent equipment as opposed to buying a scooter. This may be a particularly good option for those who are likely to need the device for a limited period.