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Montana medical equipment help
Last updated: 20 September 2026
If you need a walker, wheelchair, shower chair, commode, or other durable medical equipment (DME), Montana has several free-loan and reuse paths. Stock changes fast, so the best strategy is to start with a statewide source, then call local aging and disability programs before driving anywhere.
Bottom Line
Start with MonTECH if you need to borrow equipment anywhere in Montana. MonTECH provides free device and equipment loans, usually for 30, 90, or 180 days, and ships most items free to Montana residents outside Missoula. If MonTECH does not have the right item, call Montana’s aging help line at 1-800-551-3191 and ask for local DME closets, senior centers, or nearby-county options.
For a broader list of aging contacts, use our Montana aging agencies guide. For disability-specific equipment and accessibility help, see Montana disability help.
Need Equipment Right Away?
- Hospital discharge is today or tomorrow: ask the discharge planner, therapist, home health office, or hospice team to arrange the long-term equipment order and help locate a temporary item.
- You need a statewide loan: call MonTECH at 406-243-5511, extension 2, or use its equipment loan program.
- You need a local lead: call 1-800-551-3191 during normal business hours. The Montana aging network can route you to the office serving your area.
- You need help after hours: call 2-1-1 or search Montana 211. The service is available 24 hours a day.
- There is immediate danger: call 911. A loan closet is not an emergency medical service.
Start Here
- Name the exact item. Write down whether you need a walker, wheelchair, commode, shower bench, transfer aid, scooter, hospital bed, or another item.
- Check size and safety needs. Have the user’s height, weight, seat-width needs, home layout, and pickup limits ready.
- Try statewide, then local. Check MonTECH first, then the aging network, local loan closets, Centers for Independent Living, hospital social workers, hospice, and community groups.
Quick Reference
| Need | Best first route | Ask about | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term basic equipment | MonTECH | Stock, shipping, pickup, loan length | Large or heavy items may require pickup. |
| Local walker or wheelchair | Aging network or local closet | Same-day stock and size | Inventory changes quickly. |
| Disability equipment help | Center for Independent Living | Temporary loans and referrals | Available equipment is limited. |
| Long-term medical need | Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or insurer | Orders, suppliers, prior approval, cost | A free closet does not replace coverage. |
| No ride to pick up | Shipping, caregiver, local transit | Delivery or authorized pickup | Many local closets do not deliver. |
What Has Changed
- MonTECH’s core loan rules remain current: free loans are typically 30, 90, or 180 days, with most items shipped and returned free within Montana.
- Powell County’s loan-closet contact was corrected: the current county page lists 406-846-9786 for the loan closet. The number 406-846-9789 is used on a separate SHIP counseling page.
- We removed a fixed statewide AAA count: current Montana DPHHS pages do not agree on the number of Area Agencies on Aging. The statewide help line, 1-800-551-3191, remains the safest way to reach the correct local office.
What DME Help Means in Montana
Durable medical equipment is equipment used again and again for a medical or daily-living need. Common examples include walkers, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, shower chairs, bath benches, bedside commodes, toilet risers, transfer aids, hospital beds, and some powered mobility equipment.
Community reuse and insurance are different paths. A loan closet may lend donated equipment at no charge or ask for a small donation. It may be the fastest answer for a short recovery, a temporary need, or the days between hospital discharge and insurance delivery. Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, or private insurance may be a better long-term route when equipment is medically necessary.
Montana is large and rural, so the best answer depends on where you live, what item you need, whether it can ship, and whether someone can pick it up. A statewide program may have an item that a county closet does not. A small senior center may have a walker even when it is not listed in an online directory.
If equipment is only one part of a larger money or care problem, our Montana senior benefits guide can help you check other state and local support.
Best Statewide Starting Points
MonTECH equipment loans
What it helps with: MonTECH is Montana’s assistive technology program and one of the strongest statewide starting points for borrowed equipment. Its current service page says it serves Montanans of any age with physical, cognitive, or age-related challenges.
How loans work: MonTECH’s loan library provides free device and equipment loans. Its loan page says most loans are for 30, 90, or 180 days and are limited to 12 items at one time. Most items can ship with free return shipping. Some large items must be picked up in Missoula, and frequently requested items are also available for Billings pickup.
How to start: search the inventory online or call 406-243-5511, extension 2. Ask whether the exact item can ship, where it is stored, how long the loan lasts, and whether a caregiver may receive it.
Aging network and ADRC
What it helps with: Montana’s Area Agencies on Aging connect older adults to local services. The confirmed statewide help line is 1-800-551-3191 during normal business hours. Staff can direct you to the office serving your county and may know senior centers, transportation, home-care programs, or local equipment closets.
You can also search the Montana ADRC directory by keyword and location. Try terms such as “medical equipment,” “wheelchair,” “loan closet,” “disability services,” and “transportation.”
Reality check: local programs may not update their equipment inventory online. Treat the directory as a way to find people to call, not as proof that an item is available today.
Centers for Independent Living
Montana has four Centers for Independent Living (CILs). The state’s CIL program page says they serve all counties and work with people of all ages who have disabilities. Services include equipment information, recommendations, financial-resource information, and a limited amount of adaptive equipment for temporary loan.
Call a CIL when MonTECH and the aging network do not solve the problem, or when you also need help with accessibility, independent-living skills, housing barriers, or disability advocacy.
Verified Local Loan Closets and Leads
These are useful examples, not a complete Montana directory. Always call before driving. Ask whether the item is in stock, whether there is a county or age rule, what size is available, and whether someone else may pick it up.
| Area | Program | Current help | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | The Lending Closet | Free short-term loans of walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, crutches, knee scooters, toilet aids, and other items. | 406-371-3650; Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. |
| Great Falls | Cascade County DME | Free loans of small DME; unopened incontinence supplies may be given at no charge when available. | 406-454-6990; pickup is by arrangement. |
| Ravalli County | Ravalli loan closet | Walkers, bath benches, commodes, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and other equipment for county residents. | 406-363-5690; availability varies and a monetary donation is requested. |
| Powell County | Powell loan closet | Limited medical-equipment inventory, free of charge. | 406-846-9786; call before visiting. |
| Big Timber | Hearts & Hands | Free DME loans for area residents, including walkers, wheelchairs, bedside commodes, and other items. | Pioneer Medical Center: 406-932-4603. |
| Eastern Montana | Area I Aging | Information and assistance, county contacts, senior centers, transportation, and local resource referrals. | 406-377-3564 or 1-800-227-0703. |
If a local closet is empty, ask for two more names before you hang up: the nearest county aging office and the nearest disability organization. Community groups may also know small programs that are not easy to find online. Our Montana charities guide can help you plan those calls.
Which Equipment Is Easier to Find?
Basic mobility and bathroom-safety items are usually easier to find than large powered or highly fitted equipment. Cascade County, for example, accepts and loans small items such as walkers, bath chairs, bedside commodes, toilet risers, manual wheelchairs, canes, and crutches. It specifically says it does not accept hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, large lifts, power chairs, or scooters.
Fit matters as much as availability. A free wheelchair can be unsafe if the seat is too narrow. A walker set at the wrong height can increase fall risk. A shower chair that does not fit the tub may create a new hazard.
| Item | Availability | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Walker or rollator | Often easier | Height, brakes, wheels, tips, weight limit |
| Manual wheelchair | Often available | Seat width, brakes, tires, footrests, cushion |
| Shower chair | Often easier | Tub fit, rubber feet, cracks, weight rating |
| Bedside commode | Common in closets | Bucket, lid, frame, seat height, cleaning |
| Hospital bed | Harder | Delivery, assembly, mattress, rails, coverage |
| Power chair or scooter | Harder | Battery, charger, fit, repairs, transport |
Inspect used equipment before use. Look for cracks, loose hardware, weak brakes, missing parts, worn rubber tips, frayed straps, damaged tires, and bad batteries. If you are unsure about fit or safe use, ask a physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse, or equipment professional.
Keep Loan Closets Separate From Insurance
A community loan can be a bridge. If the equipment is needed for weeks or months because of a medical condition, keep the coverage process moving even after you find a temporary item.
Medicare: Medicare Part B can cover medically necessary DME ordered for use in the home when Medicare’s requirements are met. Medicare lists items such as canes, commode chairs, crutches, hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters. After the Part B deductible, beneficiaries generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Coverage and rental-versus-purchase rules depend on the item.
For free, objective Medicare counseling, Montana’s SHIP program can connect beneficiaries and caregivers to local counselors at 1-800-551-3191. If Medicare costs are the problem, our Montana Medicare Savings guide explains another cost-help path.
Montana Medicaid: the state’s Medicaid medical benefits page says durable medical equipment is covered and some services require prior authorization. Ask the medical provider or DME supplier whether the item is covered and whether approval is needed. The Montana Healthcare Programs Member Helpline is 1-800-362-8312.
Veterans: VA medical benefits may cover certain equipment when clinical and eligibility rules are met. Senior veterans and surviving spouses can also review our Montana veteran benefits guide for local and state routes.
Fraud warning: be cautious if an unexpected caller promises “free” medical equipment and asks for your Medicare number. If something feels wrong, contact your provider, SHIP, or Montana Senior Medicare Patrol before sharing personal information.
Pickup, Shipping, and Rural Travel
In Montana, transportation can be the hardest part of a free equipment loan. Ask three questions early: Can the item ship? Can another person pick it up? Is there a closer program in a neighboring county?
MonTECH ships most loan items within Montana, but some equipment is too large or costly to ship. Local closets usually depend on pickup and return. If a caregiver, adult child, neighbor, or case manager will handle pickup, ask whether that person needs identification or a signed form.
When transportation is the barrier, the state maintains a transit provider list with dial-a-ride, fixed-route, paratransit, and intercity services. Availability and eligibility differ by community.
If the bigger problem is home access, not the equipment itself, a ramp, grab bars, wider doorway, or bathroom change may be needed. Our Montana home repair guide covers repair and accessibility help that may fit that problem better.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Write down the exact item. “Wheelchair” is better than “medical equipment.” Include model or feature needs when known.
- Know the user. Have height, weight, seat width, mobility level, and any transfer or balance problems ready.
- Know the home. Measure narrow doors, bathroom space, stairs, thresholds, and vehicle cargo room if they affect the item.
- Call before driving. Confirm stock, size, cost or donation request, loan period, pickup rules, cleaning, and return terms.
- Keep a backup list. If the first closet is empty, call MonTECH, the aging network, a CIL, nearby counties, and the hospital or therapy team.
- Keep coverage moving. If the need is long term, continue the Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or private-insurance process.
What to gather
- Exact equipment name and when it is needed
- Height, weight, and seat-width needs
- Short-term or long-term need
- County, town, and nearest larger town
- Whether shipping is required
- Whether a caregiver can pick up and return the item
- Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or private-insurance information if pursuing coverage
- Hospital discharge, surgery, hospice, or therapy date when relevant
- Door, bathroom, stair, or vehicle measurements if fit may be a problem
If the equipment need came with a larger crisis such as loss of a caregiver, no safe place to stay, or an urgent bill problem, use our Montana emergency help guide. If a family member is providing ongoing care, our Montana caregiver programs guide covers caregiver support and possible payment paths.
Phone Scripts
MonTECH
“I am helping an older adult in [county]. We need a [exact item] by [date]. Is one available to borrow? Can it ship to us? If not, where is the closest pickup location, and can a caregiver pick it up?”
Aging office
“I need a durable medical equipment loan closet for a senior in [county]. We need a [exact item]. Can you check senior centers, county offices, hospice programs, and nearby counties?”
Local loan closet
“Do you have a [exact item] available today? What size and weight limit is it? Is there a loan period, donation request, form, or return rule? Can someone else pick it up?”
Hospital discharge planner
“We cannot safely manage at home without a [exact item]. Can you help arrange the long-term order and also give us a temporary equipment source for discharge?”
Reality Checks
There is no perfect master list. Montana’s DME reuse system is spread across state programs, county aging offices, nonprofits, hospice programs, senior centers, and disability organizations.
Inventory is not guaranteed. A website can list wheelchairs even when every wheelchair is checked out. Call before driving.
Large equipment is harder. Hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, scooters, power wheelchairs, respiratory equipment, and custom seating often require a supplier, clinical fitting, insurance approval, delivery planning, or repairs.
“Free” still needs a safety check. Do not use damaged or badly fitted equipment just because it costs nothing.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Driving a long distance without confirming stock
- Asking only for “medical equipment” instead of naming the item
- Forgetting height, weight, seat width, and home measurements
- Stopping an insurance order after receiving a temporary loan
- Giving Medicare information to an unexpected caller
- Assuming every loan closet accepts the same equipment for donation
When the first path fails
Try a different route rather than repeating the same call. Search MonTECH even if a local closet is empty. Ask the aging network for nearby counties. Call a CIL. Ask the hospital, home health, hospice, or therapy team for local leads.
For used equipment that is being given away or sold, check MonTECH’s equipment exchange. If the needed item must be purchased, MonTECH also lists assistive technology financing. Financing is a loan, not a grant, and repayment rules apply.
For broader national strategies, our DME loan closet guide explains other reuse, insurance, nonprofit, and local-search paths.
Resumen en español
En Montana, el primer paso para pedir equipo médico prestado suele ser MonTECH. El programa presta equipo sin costo y envía muchos artículos dentro del estado. Para ayuda local, llame al 1-800-551-3191 y pida la oficina de envejecimiento que atiende su condado.
Antes de manejar, confirme que el artículo esté disponible y sea del tamaño correcto. Pregunte por el período del préstamo, la recogida, el envío, la limpieza y la devolución. Si necesita el equipo a largo plazo, continúe también con Medicare, Medicaid, VA o su seguro privado.
Si una oficina no tiene el equipo, pregunte por MonTECH, un Center for Independent Living, condados cercanos, hospicio, hospital o centro para personas mayores. Para una emergencia médica, llame al 911.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best first call?
For a statewide equipment loan, start with MonTECH at 406-243-5511, extension 2. For local aging resources, call 1-800-551-3191 and ask for the office serving your county.
Are Montana loan closets free?
Many are free, including MonTECH, Cascade County’s qualifying small DME loans, Powell County’s limited loan closet, and Hearts & Hands Hospice equipment for area residents. Other programs may request a donation. Always confirm the cost and rules before pickup.
Can equipment ship to me?
MonTECH ships most loan items within Montana and provides free return shipping, but some large or costly items must be picked up. Local community closets usually require pickup.
Do I need a prescription?
Many community loan closets do not require a prescription for basic borrowed equipment. Medicare, Medicaid, VA, and private insurance have separate medical-necessity, order, supplier, and prior-approval rules that may apply.
What is hardest to borrow?
Hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, scooters, power wheelchairs, respiratory equipment, and custom seating are usually harder to find through small community closets. These items may require a medical supplier, insurance coverage, delivery, fitting, or repair support.
Where can I donate equipment?
Call the program before bringing anything. MonTECH, The Lending Closet in Billings, Cascade County Aging Services, Ravalli County Council on Aging, Powell County, and other local programs may accept selected clean equipment in usable condition. Each program has its own acceptance rules.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, county, university, local, and other high-trust community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, inventory, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible program before acting.
Last updated: 20 September 2026 · Next review: 20 January 2027
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