For many older adults and people living with mobility challenges, a walker can be essential for safety and independence at home. The good news is that Medicare does cover walkers — including rollator walkers with wheels and seats — when specific conditions are met. Understanding exactly what Medicare requires, what you can expect to pay, and how to get the process started can save you significant time, money, and frustration.

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury among adults aged 65 and older. Walkers are among the most commonly prescribed mobility aids for fall prevention, and Medicare recognizes them as medically important tools for maintaining independence and daily functioning. If you're weighing your options, our guide on walker vs. rollator can help you choose the safest and most practical option for your situation.

What Types of Walkers Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare covers several types of walkers under its Durable Medical Equipment (DME) benefit. The most common types include:

• Standard walkers: Basic frames without wheels, sometimes called pickup walkers. They require you to lift the walker and move it forward with each step. These are the most stable option for people who need to lean most of their weight on the device, such as those recovering from hip or knee surgery.

• Two-wheeled walkers: Similar to standard walkers but with wheels on the front two legs, making movement easier while still providing solid stability. A good middle-ground option for people who need significant support but have difficulty lifting a standard walker.

• Four-wheeled walkers (rollators): Walkers with wheels on all four legs, typically including a seat for resting, handlebars, and hand brakes. Medicare covers rollators when they are medically necessary. Best suited for people who need help with balance rather than full weight support, and who can safely operate hand brakes.

• Heavy-duty walkers: Designed for individuals over approximately 300 pounds, offering reinforced frames and extra stability. These follow the same coverage criteria as standard walkers but require documentation of the medical need for a heavy-duty model.

Medicare covers the basic, medically necessary version of each type. If you want upgraded features — such as deluxe seats, specialty materials, or convenience add-ons — you may be able to pay the difference out of pocket.

Medicare Coverage Requirements for Walkers

To receive Medicare coverage for a walker, several requirements must be met:

Medical Necessity

Your doctor must determine that a walker is medically necessary for you to safely move around your home. This generally means that a health condition, injury, or surgery limits your mobility to a degree that makes a walker necessary for daily activities. Your doctor must be enrolled in Medicare and must document this determination in your medical records. Medicare requires that this documentation paint a clear picture of your functional abilities and limitations in your home on a typical day — not just a general statement that a walker would be helpful.

If a rollator is being requested instead of a less expensive standard walker, your doctor must specifically document why the rollator is medically necessary. Medicare typically covers the least expensive option that meets your medical needs, so the more specific and detailed the documentation, the better.

Face-to-Face Examination

Medicare typically requires a face-to-face visit with a Medicare-enrolled provider before approving coverage. This allows your doctor to evaluate your mobility needs and create documentation supporting the necessity of the equipment. Telehealth or phone visits generally do not meet this requirement for DME prescriptions.

Written Prescription

Your doctor must provide a written prescription specifying the type of walker you need and any special features required to meet your medical needs. This prescription is submitted to Medicare along with supporting documentation. The prescription should include a description of the item — either a general description, an HCPCS code, or a brand name and model number if applicable.

Medicare-Approved Supplier

Your walker must be purchased or rented from a DME supplier that is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment. Accepting assignment means the supplier agrees to Medicare's set prices and handles the billing process directly. If you use a non-participating supplier, Medicare may not cover any portion of the cost.

You can use Medicare's online DME Supplier Directory to find approved suppliers in your area. When contacting a supplier, confirm that they are both enrolled in Medicare and that they accept assignment — these are two separate things. Suppliers who are enrolled but do not accept assignment can charge you more than the Medicare-approved amount.

If you run into issues with your insurance or supplier, knowing what to do when your doctor doesn't accept your insurance can help you navigate next steps.

Home Use Requirement

Medicare covers walkers as equipment used primarily in the home to help with activities of daily living. To qualify, the equipment must be durable enough to withstand repeated use, used for a medical reason, primarily useful only to someone with illness or injury, and expected to last at least three years. A walker prescribed mainly for use outdoors or for leisure activities may not meet Medicare's coverage criteria — though it is worth noting that once a walker qualifies for coverage as a home-use device, you may also use it outside the home as needed.

What Does Medicare Pay for a Walker?

If all eligibility requirements are met and your supplier accepts Medicare assignment, here is how costs typically break down:

• Part B deductible: In 2025, the annual Part B deductible is $257. If you haven't met this deductible yet for the year, you'll pay the first $257 toward your walker.

• Medicare pays 80%: After you meet your deductible, Medicare covers 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for your walker.

• You pay 20%: You are responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance. Medicare-approved rollators typically cost between $80 and $250, meaning your 20% coinsurance on a $150 rollator would be $30 after the deductible. However, if you haven't yet met your deductible for the year, you may end up paying the full cost of a lower-priced walker out of pocket.

• Medigap coverage: If you have a Medicare supplemental insurance plan (Medigap), it may cover some or all of your 20% coinsurance, depending on your plan.

If unexpected medical bills are a concern, it's worth understanding what happens if you don't pay medical bills and what options you may have.

Renting vs. Buying a Walker Through Medicare

Whether Medicare requires you to rent or purchase a walker depends on the type of equipment and your supplier's policies. Standard walkers are generally purchased outright because they fall into the category of inexpensive or routinely purchased DME. For equipment that costs $150 or less, Medicare may give you the choice to rent or buy.

For longer-term needs, purchasing is often more cost-effective. For short-term recovery from surgery or injury, rental may be a better fit. Your Medicare-approved supplier can explain the options available for your specific situation.

Typically, Medicare will cover a replacement walker every five years. If your medical condition changes significantly or your walker is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair, coverage for an earlier replacement may be possible with updated documentation from your physician. If your walker needs repairs, Medicare will cover them as long as you use a Medicare-approved supplier to perform the work — and you are not required to use the original supplier who sold you the walker.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Walker Coverage

Medicare Advantage plans are required to provide at least the same DME coverage as Original Medicare, including walkers and rollators. However, Medicare Advantage plans often have additional requirements, such as prior authorization before coverage is approved and network restrictions limiting which suppliers you can use.

Prior authorization can add days or weeks to the approval process, so it is important to contact your plan in advance. If you are considering switching Medicare Advantage plans and currently use a walker or other DME, contact your new plan immediately to confirm they will continue to cover your equipment and whether new prior authorization will be required.

Always verify that your chosen supplier is in-network with your Medicare Advantage plan before making any purchase. A patient advocate can be invaluable here, helping you navigate prior authorization requirements and avoid coverage surprises.

How to Get a Walker Covered by Medicare: Step by Step

Step 1: Talk to your doctor about your mobility concerns. Describe specifically how difficulty walking is affecting your ability to move safely around your home — not just that you want a walker, but how your current condition limits your daily functioning.

Step 2: Schedule a face-to-face examination with a Medicare-enrolled provider, who will assess your needs and create documentation supporting coverage. Ask your doctor to be as detailed as possible in their notes about your functional limitations at home.

Step 3: Obtain a prescription specifying the type of walker you need, including any medically necessary features. If you require a rollator rather than a standard walker, make sure your doctor documents why.

Step 4: Find a Medicare-approved DME supplier who accepts assignment using Medicare's online supplier directory or by asking your doctor for a referral. Confirm both Medicare enrollment and assignment acceptance before proceeding.

Step 5: Purchase or arrange rental of the walker through the approved supplier. The supplier will handle billing with Medicare directly and should provide you with a delivery ticket or receipt documenting the transaction.

Navigating insurance paperwork can be complicated. Having an advocate in your corner when choosing mobility equipment can make a real difference — and Aviator Health provides dedicated patient advocates covered by Medicare who can help you understand your coverage, find approved suppliers, assist with documentation, and manage any appeals if coverage is initially denied.

What Medicare Does Not Cover for Walkers

Medicare has some limitations on walker coverage worth knowing:

• Powered or motorized walkers are not covered as DME.

• Walkers purchased from non-Medicare-approved suppliers generally cannot be reimbursed.

• Luxury upgrades or features that are not medically necessary (such as premium materials or decorative accessories) are typically not covered. These are considered enhancements under CMS policy and will be denied even if your walker itself is approved.

• Walkers purchased primarily for outdoor or recreational use may not meet Medicare's home-use requirement.

• If your walker is denied coverage, all related accessories will also be denied as not reasonable and necessary.

What to Do If Medicare Denies Your Walker Claim

Coverage denials happen more often than most people expect — but they are also frequently overturned on appeal. According to research from KFF, 82% of Medicare Advantage prior authorization appeals are fully or partially overturned in the beneficiary's favor, yet only about 11% of people who are denied actually file an appeal.

Common reasons Medicare denies walker claims include insufficient documentation of medical necessity, use of a non-approved supplier, a determination that a less expensive walker type would have met your needs, or errors in billing codes submitted by the supplier. Before appealing, check your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) if you have Original Medicare, or your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) if you have Medicare Advantage — the denial reason will be listed and will guide what you need to address.

The Medicare appeals process has five levels:

Level 1 — Redetermination: Your first step. You have 120 days from the date of the denial notice to file. Submit a Redetermination Request Form along with supporting medical records and a clear explanation of why you believe the denial was incorrect. Send it to the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) that processed the original claim.

Level 2 — Reconsideration: If your Level 1 appeal is denied, your case moves to an independent review by a Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC). For Medicare Advantage, the plan will automatically forward a denied Level 1 decision to an Independent Review Entity (IRE).

Level 3 — Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing: If the reconsideration is denied and the amount in dispute is at least $190 in 2025, you can request a hearing before an ALJ. This hearing is typically conducted by videoconference or teleconference.

Level 4 — Medicare Appeals Council: If you disagree with the ALJ decision, you can appeal to the Medicare Appeals Council.

Level 5 — Federal Court: The final level, available if the amount in dispute is at least $1,900 in 2025.

For Medicare Advantage enrollees, the timeline is tighter — you generally have 65 days from the initial denial to file a Level 1 appeal. If you believe the denial is putting your health at risk, you can request an expedited review. You can also contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased help navigating the appeals process by calling 877-839-2675.

Learn more about how much patient advocates cost and whether insurance covers patient advocacy services — both are worth exploring before navigating an appeal on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover rollator walkers with seats?

Yes. Medicare covers rollator walkers — including those with built-in seats — when they are medically necessary and prescribed appropriately. Your doctor must document why a rollator, rather than a less expensive standard walker, is needed for your condition.

Does Medicare cover walkers for people under 65?

Medicare covers walkers for anyone who is enrolled in Medicare, including individuals under 65 who qualify due to disability. The same medical necessity and supplier requirements apply regardless of age.

Can Medicare cover a walk-in tub as well as a walker?

Walkers and walk-in tubs are two different types of equipment with different coverage rules. If you or a family member is also considering home safety adaptations, our guide on what to do if your parent needs a walk-in tub walks through your options.

Will Medicare cover walker repairs?

Yes. Medicare covers repairs and replacement parts for walkers you own, as long as the repairs are performed by a Medicare-approved supplier. You are not required to use the original supplier — any Medicare-enrolled DME supplier can complete the repairs.

Can I appeal if Medicare denies my walker claim?

Yes. If Medicare denies coverage, you have the right to appeal the decision. Having detailed documentation from your physician about your medical need for the walker is essential for a successful appeal. The first level of appeal — a redetermination — must be filed within 120 days of the denial notice. Research shows the majority of appeals are successful, so it is worth pursuing if you believe the denial was in error.

Do I need a new prescription if I need a replacement walker?

Generally yes. Medicare typically requires updated documentation from your healthcare provider to approve a replacement walker, whether due to wear, damage, or a change in your medical condition.

Does Medicare cover other mobility aids?

Medicare also covers other mobility aids such as canes, crutches, and wheelchairs when medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. The coverage process is similar to that for walkers, with the same deductible and coinsurance requirements. For wheelchairs, Medicare covers both manual and power wheelchairs under the DME benefit.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medicare coverage rules and costs may change; always verify current coverage details with Medicare or your plan directly.