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Kentucky medical equipment help
Last updated: 18 September 2026
Kentucky has several ways to borrow, reuse, or help pay for durable medical equipment (DME). There is no single senior-only closet with one statewide stock list. The best first route is usually the Kentucky Assistive Technology Services (KATS) Network, its equipment locator, and Project CARAT, while Medicare or Kentucky Medicaid may be the better long-term path for medically necessary equipment.
Bottom Line
Start by checking the Kentucky AT Locator and the Project CARAT reuse program. If the item is not listed, send a CARAT request and call the KATS center that serves your area. At the same time, ask the doctor, therapist, discharge planner, Medicare plan, or Kentucky Medicaid provider whether the item should be covered through insurance.
If you need a broader explanation of loan closets, reuse programs, and insurance, use the GFS guide to medical equipment loan closets.
If Equipment Is Needed Now
If an older adult is leaving a hospital or rehabilitation facility today, tell the discharge planner that the home is not safe without the needed equipment. Give the exact item, size needs, home barriers, and discharge date. Ask the team to work on both a regular medical supplier and a short-term community option.
- Need a basic item quickly: Search the Kentucky AT Locator, then call before driving.
- No local lead: Dial 211 or text the ZIP code to 898211 through Kentucky 211.
- Need county aging help: Find the correct Kentucky aging agency for information, referrals, caregiver support, transportation leads, and local services.
- Need a medically necessary item: Ask the treating provider and health plan about an enrolled DME supplier before buying the item yourself.
Start Here
- Write down the exact item and size details. For a wheelchair, include seat width, footrests, cushion needs, and weight capacity.
- Search statewide inventory, then contact the closest KATS regional center if you cannot find the right item.
- Run the insurance path at the same time when the equipment is medically necessary or likely to be needed long term.
For county aging contacts and local service navigation, the GFS guide to Kentucky aging agencies can help you find the correct regional office.
| Need | Start here | Ask this | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reused walker, wheelchair, commode, or bath item | AT Locator and CARAT | Is the exact size available now? | Inventory can change daily. |
| Short-term trial or replacement | KATS Lending Library | What is the loan period and fee? | Loans are first come, first served. |
| Portable ramp | RampUp! KY | Does a ramp fit the rise and entry? | Inventory is limited and temporary. |
| Long-term medically necessary DME | Doctor and health plan | Which enrolled supplier should we use? | Orders, plan rules, and cost sharing may apply. |
| No idea who serves your county | KATS, 211, or AAAIL | Who has this item near my ZIP code? | Small local closets may not appear online. |
What Has Changed
Project CARAT’s current request page says a team member will contact a requester within 3–5 business days. The older version of this article used a three-business-day response statement. KATS also continues to list five regional assistive technology resource centers, while Project CARAT uses additional partner sites for equipment reuse. Call KATS if you are unsure which location should handle your county or item.
How Equipment Help Works in Kentucky
Durable medical equipment is reusable equipment that helps with a medical or functional need. Common examples include walkers, wheelchairs, bedside commodes, shower chairs, transfer benches, hospital beds, lifts, ramps, and some powered mobility devices.
Kentucky families usually use one of three routes. Reuse means donated equipment is cleaned, repaired when needed, and passed to another person. Short-term loan means the device must be returned. Insurance coverage means Medicare, Kentucky Medicaid, or another health plan pays under its own medical-necessity and supplier rules.
These routes can be used at the same time. A reused shower chair may solve an urgent problem today while a doctor and supplier work on a covered long-term wheelchair. For disability-related programs and home supports beyond equipment, see the GFS guide to Kentucky disability help.
Statewide Kentucky Equipment Routes
KATS Network and the locator
The KATS Network is Kentucky’s statewide assistive technology program. It serves Kentuckians of all ages and disabilities, along with families, caregivers, and professionals. KATS offers device loans, demonstrations, reuse, and information and referral.
Use the locator to search for items to borrow or reuse. Search more than one phrase. For example, try both “rollator” and “walker with seat.” Call the listed center before making a long trip because inventory and availability can change.
Project CARAT reuse
Project CARAT collects donated assistive technology and DME, cleans and repairs items when needed, and redistributes them through Kentucky partners. The current KATS site says inventory changes daily. It also notes strong demand for common items such as shower chairs, benches, and manual wheelchairs.
If you cannot find the item, use the CARAT request form. Give the county, exact item, size details, and a phone number. KATS currently says someone will contact you within 3–5 business days. A prescription may be requested if staff need to confirm that an item is appropriate.
Short-term device loans
The KATS Lending Library can help when someone wants to try a device, needs a temporary replacement, or is waiting for repair or funding. KATS says loan requests are first come, first served. A nominal maintenance fee can apply, fees vary by center, and late fees may apply.
Loan length also varies by center. KATS says a typical loan is about 30 days, with extensions handled case by case. Ask about pickup, shipping, training, return dates, and what happens if the item is damaged or lost.
Portable ramp loans
RampUp! KY is a portable aluminum ramp loan program. KATS says ramp inventory is very limited, available lengths vary by location, and loans can be made for up to six months. The borrower is responsible for pickup, return, setup, and installation.
RampUp! KY does not build permanent ramps and does not guarantee that an available ramp will fit a specific entrance. For permanent accessibility work or larger home repairs, the GFS guide to Kentucky housing help explains other homeowner and housing routes.
Regional and Local Equipment Help
KATS currently lists five regional assistive technology resource centers. These centers provide combinations of device demonstrations, short-term loans, training, reuse, and referrals. Project CARAT also works through partner reuse sites, so the closest reuse location may not be the same as the main regional center.
| Area | Program | What to ask about | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Kentucky | ACAT Hazard | Short-term loan locker, demos, refurbishing, CARAT | 1-606-439-3557 |
| Louisville region | CALtech | Demos, short-term loans, reused equipment | 1-502-589-6620 |
| Northern Kentucky | Easterseals Redwood | KATS loans, trials, training, reuse | 1-859-331-0880 |
| Lexington / Bluegrass | HDI CATS | Device loans, demonstrations, training | 1-859-218-7979 |
| Western Kentucky | Wendell Foster | Lending library, CARAT, ramp loans | 1-270-683-4517 |
| Northern Kentucky backup | SVDP NKY closet | Temporary no-cost home-recovery items | 1-859-341-3219 |
The official KATS locations page is the best place to confirm which regional center serves you. For small church, hospice, civic, or nonprofit equipment closets, the GFS guide to Kentucky charities can provide another local search path.
Helpful tip: Ask for a nearby alternative even when the first center has no stock. KATS services are regional, while CARAT reuse items may sit with a different partner. A center may know about a device in another part of the network or may suggest a similar item that solves the same problem. If travel is difficult, say that at the start of the call. Ask whether family, a caregiver, a local agency, or another program can help with pickup. Do not assume a listing means delivery is included.
When Medicare or Kentucky Medicaid May Be Better
Community reuse can be fast, but it is not a substitute for covered medical equipment. If the device is medically necessary, custom, respiratory, powered, or likely to be needed long term, ask the treating provider and health plan about the insurance route.
Medicare DME coverage under Part B can cover medically necessary home equipment when a doctor or other qualified provider orders it. Medicare says covered DME must be durable, used for a medical reason, generally useful only to someone who is sick or injured, used in the home, and expected to last at least three years. After the Part B deductible, a person generally pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment.
Kentucky Medicaid now labels this benefit category Medical Supplies, Equipment, and Appliances (MSEA). The Kentucky Medicaid MSEA page says covered items can include wheelchairs, hospital beds, orthotic appliances, prosthetic devices, and medically necessary disposable equipment ordered by an accepted prescriber and suitable for home use.
Do not buy an expensive item first and assume the plan will reimburse it. Ask what order, prior approval, enrolled supplier, documentation, and cost sharing apply. If you also need help with food, Medicaid, Medicare cost help, or other benefits, the GFS Kentucky benefits portal guide explains how to start with kynect.
What to Gather Before You Call
- The person’s county, ZIP code, and best callback number.
- The exact item needed and whether it is temporary or long term.
- Height, weight, seat width, weight capacity, and other fit details.
- Doorway width, bathroom layout, step height, and transfer problems.
- The hospital discharge date, surgery date, or date the item is needed.
- Whether a doctor, therapist, or discharge planner recommended the item.
- Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, or other insurance information.
- Whether someone can pick up, load, install, return, or store the item.
| Item | Ask first | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelchair | Seat width, footrests, cushion, brakes, weight limit | Poor fit can make transfers unsafe. |
| Walker or rollator | Height range, brakes, wheels, seat | Wrong height or worn brakes can increase fall risk. |
| Shower chair | Tub size, arms, back, feet, weight limit | Bathroom equipment must fit the space. |
| Bedside commode | Width, height, bucket, arms, splash guard | Missing parts can make it difficult or unsafe. |
| Portable ramp | Rise, length, landing space, pickup plan | A ramp that is too short can be dangerous. |
| Power mobility | Battery, charger, turning space, repair history | Transport and repairs can be difficult. |
What to Do in Rural Kentucky
Do not stop because your county has no obvious equipment closet. Search nearby counties and regional centers, then ask 211 and your aging agency about churches, senior centers, hospices, disability groups, and volunteer organizations that may keep small inventories.
In eastern Kentucky, Kentucky Homeplace uses community health workers to help residents navigate medical, social, and environmental services. Its current referral page says community health workers serve 32 counties in eastern Kentucky. This is a referral and navigation option, not a guarantee that equipment is available.
If hearing loss is the main problem, equipment closets are often not the best first route. The GFS guide to hearing aid help covers Medicare, Medicaid, veterans, nonprofit, and other payment paths. For disposable briefs, pads, and similar supplies, use the separate GFS guide to incontinence supply help.
Reality Checks
- Inventory changes: An item shown online may be gone when you call.
- Pickup may be required: Many reuse and loan programs are not delivery services.
- Fit matters: Free or low-cost equipment can still be unsafe if it is the wrong size.
- Complex equipment is different: Power chairs, lifts, specialty beds, oxygen, and respiratory equipment often need clinician and supplier involvement.
- A loan is temporary: Put the due date on a calendar and keep all parts together.
- Reuse is not insurance: A donated item usually does not create a Medicare or Medicaid claim.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until discharge day to start looking.
- Driving to a program without confirming the item is still available.
- Forgetting size, weight limit, charger, footrest, or cushion needs.
- Assuming a borrowed item can be kept permanently.
- Buying a costly device before asking the health plan about supplier rules.
- Using a lift, ramp, or transfer device without proper safety instruction.
- Searching only one county when a nearby regional center may have the item.
If You Are Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
If one path fails, move to another path the same day when the equipment affects bathing, walking, transfers, breathing, pressure relief, or safe entry to the home.
- Locator is empty: Send a CARAT request and call the nearest KATS center.
- CARAT is delayed: Ask 211, the aging agency, hospital social work, local charities, and disability organizations.
- Pickup is the barrier: Ask whether a caregiver group, church, senior center, or local volunteer can help with transport.
- Insurance says no: Ask for the written reason, appeal instructions, and the exact missing documentation.
- The item is unaffordable: Ask about financing only after checking reuse and coverage. The Kentucky AT loan program currently lists a zero-interest mini-loan option of $100 to $7,000 for qualified applicants through its lending partner, alongside its broader assistive-technology loan program.
Financing is debt, not free equipment. Ask about repayment terms before applying.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Hospital discharge
“My parent cannot go home safely without a [specific item]. Can you check a regular supplier, KATS or Project CARAT, and any local loan closet before discharge? We also need to know who can pick it up and whether it will fit the home.”
KATS or CARAT
“I am helping an older adult in [county]. We need a [specific item] for [temporary or long-term] use. We checked the locator. Which center or CARAT partner should we contact next, and what measurements do you need?”
Local loan closet
“Do you have a [specific item] available now? Is it a loan or a reused item we keep? What is the return date? Are there size or weight limits? Can you hold it while we arrange pickup?”
Medicare or health plan
“My doctor says I need a [specific item] at home. Does my plan cover it? Do I need prior approval? Which enrolled supplier can provide it? What will I owe, and what should I do if the request is denied?”
Resumen en Español
En Kentucky, KATS y Project CARAT son buenos primeros pasos para buscar equipo médico usado, préstamos de corto plazo y tecnología asistiva. Busque el artículo exacto en el localizador estatal y llame antes de viajar porque el inventario cambia.
Si la persona sale del hospital pronto, hable con el trabajador social o planificador de alta antes de salir. Para equipo médicamente necesario y de uso prolongado, pregunte también al médico, Medicare, Medicaid o al plan de salud sobre proveedores autorizados. Si no encuentra ayuda local, llame al 211 o a la agencia regional de envejecimiento.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one statewide free medical equipment closet in Kentucky?
No. Kentucky has a statewide assistive-technology network and Project CARAT reuse partners, but equipment is held by different centers and local programs. Inventory depends on donations, location, and the exact item.
How long does a Project CARAT request take?
KATS currently says someone from the CARAT team will contact a requester within 3–5 business days. That is a response window, not a promise that the requested equipment will be available.
Are KATS equipment loans free?
Not always. KATS says its regional lending libraries can charge a nominal maintenance fee, with charges varying by center. Late fees may also apply if an item is not returned on time.
Can I borrow a portable ramp in Kentucky?
Maybe. RampUp! KY offers portable aluminum ramps when a suitable ramp is available. KATS says inventory is limited, loans can last up to six months, and the borrower handles pickup, return, setup, and installation.
Will Medicare pay for a loan-closet item?
Usually not through the loan closet itself. Medicare DME coverage uses Medicare-enrolled suppliers and medical-necessity rules. A community loan or reused item may still help as a temporary bridge while the Medicare process moves forward.
Where can I donate medical equipment in Kentucky?
Project CARAT accepts donated assistive technology and durable medical equipment through its network. Some local programs, including St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky, also accept selected gently used equipment. Call before transporting a large item.
About This Guide
Sources
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and 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. Readers may 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, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 18 September 2026 · Next review: 18 January 2027
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