DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in Montana

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Bottom Line: Montana does not appear to have one official senior-only directory for every durable medical equipment loan closet. The best first step for most seniors is MonTECH equipment loans, then the Montana aging network, local Area Agencies on Aging, county aging offices, Centers for Independent Living, hospice programs, and community loan closets. Use this guide to find the fastest path without calling the same office over and over.

Emergency help now

• If discharge is today or tomorrow: call the hospital discharge planner, home health office, rehab center, or hospice nurse. Say the person cannot go home safely without the exact item.
• If you need a statewide option: call MonTECH at 406-243-5511. Ask if the item can ship, or if pickup in Missoula or Billings is required.
• If you need a local name: call Montana’s aging help line at 1-800-551-3191 during business hours and ask for a DME loan closet near your county.
• If it is after hours: use Montana 211 or dial 2-1-1. Ask for medical equipment, senior transportation, and emergency local help.
• If the person is in danger now: call 911. A loan closet is not an emergency medical service.

Quick help box

• Fastest statewide path: MonTECH, especially for items that can ship.
• Best official local search: the Montana ADRC directory.
• Best phone route: 1-800-551-3191 for Montana Area Agencies on Aging.
• Best disability backup: Montana’s CIL network.
• Best insurance question: Montana SHIP at 1-800-551-3191 for Medicare questions.
• Best GFS next step: our Montana aging agencies guide if you need the right regional aging office.

Quick reference table

Contents

• What this help is
• Best statewide starting points
• Local options by region
• Equipment easiest to find
• How loans usually work
• Insurance is separate
• Transportation and pickup
• Phone scripts
• How to start
• Reality checks
• FAQs

What this help is, and what it is not

What it is: Durable medical equipment, often called DME, can include walkers, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, shower chairs, bath benches, bedside commodes, toilet risers, transfer aids, and other items that help a person stay safer at home. In Montana, free or low-cost access usually comes from a mix of statewide assistive technology programs, county aging offices, senior centers, hospice programs, Centers for Independent Living, and local nonprofits.

What it is not: A community loan closet is not the same as a Medicare supplier. It also does not promise that a certain item will be ready today. Most closets use donated items. A wheelchair may be available one week and gone the next.

Why that matters: A loan closet can solve a short-term problem fast. Insurance can be better for long-term medically needed equipment. Many families need both paths at the same time. For broad help with money, housing, food, and health programs, keep our Montana senior benefits guide open while you make calls.

Best statewide starting points in Montana

MonTECH is the closest thing Montana has to a statewide equipment loan hub. The state’s assistive technology page describes MonTECH as Montana’s federally funded assistive technology program for Montanans with disabilities, including disabilities tied to aging. It offers free demonstrations, short-term loans, a community buy-sell board, and financing options through the Montana Assistive Technology Loan program.

MonTECH’s loan page says loans are usually 30, 90, or 180 days, with a limit of 12 items at a time. It also says most items can ship and return ship at no cost for Montanans outside Missoula, though some large items must be picked up. MonTECH’s contact page lists 406-243-5511 for the main office and a Billings office by appointment.

The aging network is the next call. Montana DPHHS says the state has 10 Area Agencies on Aging under contract with the Aging Services Bureau. The statewide help line is 1-800-551-3191. Ask the staff member to search by county and nearby counties, not just by your town.

The ADRC can help you search. The Montana Aging and Disability Resource Center is an official directory for aging and disability resources. It is useful when you want to search by county, service type, or keyword. Try “medical equipment,” “loan closet,” “wheelchair,” “transportation,” and “disability services.”

Centers for Independent Living are a strong backup. Montana’s official CIL page says CILs serve people of every age and all disabilities, cover all Montana counties, and may provide information, referrals, equipment recommendations, and a limited amount of adaptive equipment on a temporary loan basis. For more disability-specific paths, see our Montana disability help guide.

MonTECH has real statewide use. In its 2024 annual report, MonTECH said it loaned 1,859 items to 793 Montanans and saved residents $331,459 through reuse. Those numbers do not guarantee current stock, but they show why MonTECH should be an early call.

Major local options by region

Montana’s local equipment help is scattered. Some programs are easy to find online. Others are known by hospital discharge planners, senior center staff, hospice nurses, or county aging workers. The list below is not a full statewide directory. It is a practical starting list of verified examples.

If a local closet is empty, ask the staff for two names: the nearest county aging office and the nearest CIL. Local churches and community groups may also know one-time help. Our Montana charities guide can help you decide which local groups may be worth calling.

What equipment is easiest to find

The easiest items are basic mobility and bathroom safety items. In Montana, the most common listed items are walkers, canes, crutches, manual wheelchairs, shower chairs, bath benches, bedside commodes, toilet risers, and transport chairs. Some programs also list knee scooters, walking boots, gait belts, grabbers, and unopened incontinence supplies.

The hardest items are large, powered, or highly fitted items. Hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, scooters, power wheelchairs, custom seating, respiratory equipment, and heavily customized items are harder to borrow from community closets. Cascade County, for example, says it does not accept hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, large lifts, power chairs, scooters, or worn items.

Fit matters more than price. A free item can still be unsafe. A wheelchair may be too narrow. A walker may be too short. A shower chair may not fit the tub. Ask about height, weight limit, seat width, brakes, footrests, rubber tips, and missing parts before you pick it up.

How Montana loans usually work

Expect library-style rules. Most loan closets do not work like stores. They lend what they have, when they have it. Some programs are free. Some request donations. Some serve a county. Some help anyone in the community. Some require a sign-out form or waiver.

Ask about the loan period. MonTECH uses set loan terms for many items. Cascade County says it lends qualifying small items for as long as needed. Ravalli County posts set loan closet hours and asks for a donation. Local rules can change, so call first.

Ask about cleaning. The Lending Closet in Billings says donations help with maintenance, cleaning, and sanitizing. Cascade County asks donors for small, well cared for, clean items. Still, you should inspect every item before use. Look for rust, cracks, loose screws, missing footrests, weak brakes, worn rubber tips, frayed straps, and bad batteries.

Ask about return rules. If the item has parts, return all parts. Missing footrests, chargers, buckets, trays, or cushions can make the next loan useless. If the item breaks, call the program. Do not pass damaged equipment to another family without telling the closet.

Keep community reuse separate from insurance

A loan closet is a fast bridge. Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or private insurance may be the long-term path when a doctor says the equipment is medically necessary. Do not stop the insurance process just because you found a temporary walker or commode.

For Medicare questions, call SHIP. Montana SHIP counseling provides free, objective Medicare help for beneficiaries, families, and caregivers. Staff can connect you with a local SHIP counselor at 1-800-551-3191. Our Medicare Savings Programs guide may also help if premiums or cost sharing are part of the problem.

For Medicaid transportation, ask before the trip. Montana Medicaid says transportation help is for members with HMK Plus or Full Medicaid when requirements are met, and trips must be approved before travel. The Medicaid transportation page lists 1-800-292-7114 and 406-443-6100 for the Transportation Center. This is not a free equipment-delivery program, but it can help with approved medical travel.

Watch for Medicare fraud. Be careful if a stranger calls offering “free” equipment and asks for a Medicare number. Call your provider, SHIP, or Montana SMP before sharing personal information. Real community loan closets should not need your Medicare number to lend a donated walker.

Transportation and pickup in a rural state

In Montana, the item may be free but the drive may be hard. Some MonTECH items can ship. Many local closets require pickup and return. Ask early whether a caregiver, adult child, neighbor, case manager, or discharge planner can pick up the item for the senior.

Use transit lists when pickup is the barrier. The state’s transit provider list includes dial-a-ride, fixed route, paratransit, and intercity options in many parts of Montana. It will not solve every rural trip, but it can help you find a local number faster.

Ask your aging office for local rides. Many Area Agencies on Aging know senior transportation and county ride options. Our senior transportation guide explains common ride-help paths that may work along with local Montana programs.

If home safety is the bigger issue, look beyond equipment. A shower chair may not be enough if the bathroom has no grab bars or the doorway is too narrow. Our Montana housing help guide may help you find local housing, repair, or accessibility leads.

Phone scripts that save time

Use these scripts when you call. Keep the item name, county, height, weight, and pickup limit in front of you.

Script for MonTECH

“Hello, I am helping an older adult in [county]. We need a [exact item] by [date]. Can MonTECH loan this item, and can it ship to our area? If it cannot ship, is it available in Missoula or Billings, and can a caregiver pick it up?”

Script for an Area Agency on Aging

“Hello, I need help finding a durable medical equipment loan closet for a senior in [county]. We need a [walker, wheelchair, commode, shower chair]. Can you check senior centers, county offices, hospice programs, and nearby counties?”

Script for a local closet

“Do you have a [exact item] in stock today? What size or weight limit is it? Has it been cleaned and checked? Is there a time limit, donation request, form, or return rule? Can someone else pick it up?”

Script for a discharge planner

“Before discharge, we need help getting a safe [exact item] into the home. Can you send a doctor order for long-term equipment and also help us find a temporary community loan closet today?”

How to start without wasting time

• Step 1: Write down the exact item and when it is needed.
• Step 2: Write down the user’s height, weight, seat width needs, and where the item will be used.
• Step 3: Call MonTECH first if shipping would help or if your county is rural.
• Step 4: Call 1-800-551-3191 and ask the aging network for local and nearby-county options.
• Step 5: Call the closest local programs from the table above.
• Step 6: Call the nearest CIL if the first three calls do not work.
• Step 7: Keep Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or private insurance moving if the item is needed long term. Senior veterans should also check our Montana veteran benefits guide.

If the need came from a fall, shutoff, eviction risk, or sudden loss of a caregiver, also check our Montana emergency help guide. If caregiving is the bigger issue, our Montana caregiver programs guide may help the family look at care support options.

What to gather before you call

• The exact item needed, such as walker, transport chair, shower bench, or bedside commode
• The person’s height, weight, and seat-width needs
• Whether the need is short term or long term
• Whether pickup is possible or shipping is needed
• The county, town, and nearest larger town
• Whether a caregiver can sign forms, pick up, or return the item
• Whether the person uses Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or private insurance
• Whether stairs, narrow doors, small bathrooms, or gravel paths make some items unsafe
• Hospital discharge date, surgery date, hospice start date, or therapy notes, if relevant

Reality checks, common mistakes, and backup options

There is no perfect master list. Montana’s system is useful, but it is local and uneven. A small senior center may have the walker you need, even if it never appears in a statewide search tool.

Inventory changes quickly. The website may list wheelchairs, but the only chair left may be the wrong size. Call before driving, even if the site looks current.

Big items are the hardest. Beds, lifts, scooters, and power chairs may require insurance, a supplier, delivery planning, and repairs. Start the coverage path early.

Pickup can be the barrier. Ask whether someone else can pick up the item. Ask about shipping. Ask about county transportation. Ask the discharge planner if the hospital knows a closer source.

Do not skip safety checks. Do not use an item if brakes fail, the frame wobbles, the tips are worn, the seat cracks, or the fit is wrong. Free does not always mean safe.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Driving across Montana without calling first
• Asking for “medical equipment” instead of the exact item
• Forgetting height, weight, seat width, and bathroom size
• Stopping the insurance process after getting a temporary loan
• Giving Medicare information to a stranger who called first
• Keeping borrowed equipment after the need ends

What to do if the first path fails

• Try MonTECH even if a county closet is empty.
• Ask the Area Agency on Aging to search nearby counties.
• Call the nearest CIL and ask for referral help.
• Ask hospice, home health, therapy, or a hospital social worker.
• Check MonTECH’s community buy-sell board before paying full retail.
• Ask about the assistive technology loan if the item must be bought or modified.

Resumen en español

En Montana, no parece existir un solo directorio estatal completo para todos los lugares que prestan equipo médico usado. El mejor primer paso suele ser MonTECH, porque puede prestar equipo gratis y enviar muchos artículos dentro del estado. También puede llamar a la red estatal de envejecimiento al 1-800-551-3191 y pedir nombres locales en su condado y condados cercanos.

Antes de manejar, llame y pregunte si el equipo está disponible, si está limpio, si es del tamaño correcto y si otra persona puede recogerlo. Si el equipo se necesita por mucho tiempo, siga también el camino de Medicare, Medicaid, VA o seguro privado. Un préstamo comunitario puede ayudar rápido, pero no reemplaza la cobertura médica cuando el equipo es necesario a largo plazo.

Frequently asked questions

Is there one statewide DME loan closet directory for Montana?

No. As of 27 May 2026, we did not find one official senior-only statewide directory that lists every Montana DME closet. Start with MonTECH, the ADRC, the Area Agencies on Aging, CILs, and local programs.

What is the best first call for a rural senior in Montana?

Usually MonTECH. Many items can ship, and the program covers Montana statewide. After that, call 1-800-551-3191 and ask the aging network for county and nearby-county leads.

Can a caregiver pick up equipment for a senior?

Often yes, but each program sets its own rules. Ask whether the caregiver can sign the form, show ID, pick up the item, and return it later.

Are Montana loan closets free?

Many are free. Some request donations. Some only serve a county or local area. Always ask about cost, donation requests, loan length, and return rules before pickup.

What equipment is hardest to borrow?

Hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, power wheelchairs, scooters, respiratory equipment, and custom seating are harder to find. You may need MonTECH, a CIL, hospice, a medical supplier, or insurance.

Do I need a prescription for a community loan closet?

Not always. Many community closets do not require one for basic items. Insurance coverage is different and may require a doctor order, supplier rules, and approval.

Where can I donate used medical equipment in Montana?

Call first. Good starting points include MonTECH, The Lending Closet in Billings, Cascade County Aging Services, Ravalli County Council on Aging, and local senior centers. Many programs only accept clean items in good condition.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified 27 May 2026, next review 27 August 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.

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, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Next review: 27 August 2026