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Last updated: 16 September 2026
Massachusetts has several ways to get durable medical equipment, often called DME. A senior may find a free reused wheelchair, walker, shower chair, lift, or other item through a statewide reuse program, a town loan closet, or a regional disability program. If the equipment must be medically ordered, Medicare or MassHealth may be the better path.
Bottom Line
Start with REquipment for free reused equipment across Massachusetts. At the same time, call your town senior center or Council on Aging. If the item is medically necessary, ask the doctor or discharge planner to start the Medicare or MassHealth process instead of waiting for a free item to appear.
Need Equipment for a Discharge?
If a hospital, rehabilitation center, or nursing facility discharge is close, do not wait on one program. Ask the discharge planner to work on reuse and insurance at the same time. Search the REquipment inventory, ask which supplier received the medical order, and confirm who is responsible for delivery before the discharge date.
If the equipment problem is part of a larger crisis involving food, heat, housing, or health needs, use the GFS Massachusetts emergency guide for other urgent routes.
Start Here
- Name the exact item. Say “20-inch manual wheelchair with footrests,” “shower transfer bench,” or “electric hospital bed,” not just “medical equipment.”
- Search statewide and local programs together. Check reuse inventory, then call your local aging office so you are not waiting on only one source.
- Keep insurance moving. For prescribed DME, ask the medical provider which documents and supplier steps are still missing.
| Need | Best first route | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Free reused DME | REquipment | Inventory changes. A specific size or model may not be available today. |
| Short-term device trial | MassAbility inventory | The main regional loan program allows free borrowing for up to four weeks, and the item may be at another regional center. |
| Walker, cane, commode | Council on Aging finder | Town rules, hours, cleaning practices, and stock differ. |
| Large item near Boston | Freemasons HELP | Pickup rules are strict, especially for beds and lifts. |
| Prescribed home DME | Medicare or MassHealth | Medical documentation, supplier enrollment, and sometimes prior approval matter. |
What Has Changed
MassHealth DME changed in 2026. Since 1 January 2026, MassHealth members receive DME, oxygen and respiratory services, orthotic products, prosthetic products, and related medical supplies through MassHealth fee-for-service. The state told members to confirm that their DME provider is enrolled with MassHealth. See the MassHealth change notice before using an old health-plan supplier list.
REquipment remains active statewide. Its current site continues to offer free gently used DME and assistive technology throughout Massachusetts. MassAbility also continues to list device loans, reuse programs, and regional assistive technology centers.
Main Medical Equipment Paths
REquipment Reuse
What it helps with: REquipment provides no-cost, gently used durable home medical equipment and assistive technology to Massachusetts residents. Current inventory may include wheelchairs, rollators, lifts, shower chairs, hearing devices, mobility aids, and other items.
How to start: Search the online inventory or call 1-800-261-9841 or 508-713-9690. Ask whether the exact item and size are available, whether pickup or delivery is possible, and whether accessories are included.
Reality check: Reuse depends on donations. REquipment does not currently accept every common item as a donation. The state says beds, walkers, commodes, crutches, and canes are not currently accepted there, so local closets can be especially important for those items.
MassAbility Device Loans
What it helps with: MassAbility lists short- and long-term assistive technology loan programs. The regional Assistive Technology Device Loan Program lets people borrow equipment free for up to four weeks. This can help when you need to test a device before buying it or while a longer solution is pending.
How to start: Review the device loan programs. For the regional inventory, borrowers begin with the Boston, Worcester, or Pittsfield assistive technology center.
Reality check: A device may be stored in another region. Staff may suggest a different device if the one you requested is unavailable.
Town Loan Closets
What they help with: Many Massachusetts senior centers and Councils on Aging keep small collections of walkers, canes, shower chairs, commodes, wheelchairs, bed rails, or similar items. These programs can be faster than statewide programs when the right item is already nearby.
How to start: Call the senior center and ask specifically for a “medical equipment loan closet” or “durable medical equipment program.” If the town has no item, ask whether staff know a nearby town or regional partner that accepts outside residents.
Reality check: Local programs can limit service by residency, age, item type, or available storage. Call before driving to a senior center or bringing a donation.
Aging and Disability Navigation
If you do not know which program serves your address, call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ask for the aging or disability office that covers your town and for any nearby equipment reuse or loan program.
You can also use the official regional aging finder. GFS explains the broader network in its Massachusetts aging guide.
For disability-related barriers, Independent Living Centers can provide information, referrals, advocacy, and help finding assistive technology. Use the state Independent Living Center page. The GFS Massachusetts disability guide gives more background on disability services.
Local and Regional Options
These examples show why it is useful to search more than one route. Stock can change quickly, so call or use the program’s current request process before traveling.
| Area | Program | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Boston | Freemasons HELP | The Woburn program is open Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to noon. It cannot deliver. Beds and lifts require advance planning and a truck or empty cargo van. |
| Brookline area | Brookline Equipment Loan Fund | The Council on Aging distributes smaller gently used DME and serves Brookline and surrounding communities. Call 617-730-2752 for current inventory. |
| Quincy and South Shore | Quincy Helping Hand | This in-kind loan program lists walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, commodes, tub benches, and similar equipment. It provides an online request form. |
| Western Massachusetts | Stavros equipment program | Stavros loans donated equipment free for a specified period. Its site lists items such as power wheelchairs, walkers, bath chairs, lifts, and grab bars when available. |
If none of these is near you, use the local Council on Aging, regional aging office, or Independent Living Center rather than assuming there is no program. For national ideas beyond Massachusetts, the GFS DME loan closet guide explains other reuse paths.
What Equipment to Ask For
Use the most exact item description you can. Size, weight limits, missing parts, and room layout can turn a “free” item into something unsafe or unusable.
| Item | Ask about | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Walker or rollator | Height range, brakes, seat, wheels, weight limit | A poor fit can increase fall risk. |
| Manual wheelchair | Seat width, footrests, armrests, brakes, weight limit | Missing parts or the wrong width can make the chair unsafe. |
| Shower chair or bench | Width, back, arms, feet, tub or shower fit | Bathroom equipment must match the room and user. |
| Hospital bed | Controls, mattress, rails, room size, pickup plan | Beds need space and safe transport. |
| Patient lift | Sling size, battery, weight limit, training | The wrong sling or setup can injure the user or caregiver. |
If the need is a ramp, stair lift, wider doorway, or bathroom change rather than movable DME, review the state Home Modification Loan Program. It is a zero-interest deferred-payment loan for eligible home accessibility work, not a free equipment program. The GFS Massachusetts repair guide covers other home-repair paths.
When Medicare or MassHealth Is Better
Medicare
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary DME when the coverage rules are met and a doctor or other treating provider orders it for use in the home. The current Medicare DME page lists items such as canes, commode chairs, crutches, hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen equipment.
After the Part B deductible, Medicare generally says you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Ask the supplier whether it is enrolled in Medicare and whether it accepts assignment before you receive the equipment. Costs can differ when a supplier does not accept assignment.
If Medicare costs are the problem, a SHINE counselor can explain coverage and cost-help options. Massachusetts provides free Medicare counseling through the SHINE program. The GFS Medicare Savings guide explains Massachusetts cost-support programs.
MassHealth
MassHealth covers medically necessary DME that members can use at home or where normal life activities take place. Its current MassHealth DME guide lists ambulatory equipment, bath and toilet equipment, communication devices, hospital beds, mobility equipment, patient lifts, support surfaces, absorbent products, and other covered categories.
A medical provider may order the equipment or give you a prescription to take to a DME provider. The supplier may need a prescription or letter of medical necessity. Many items require prior authorization. If prior authorization is denied, MassHealth says the denial letter includes appeal instructions.
For incontinence supplies, GFS also has a free incontinence supplies guide. For hearing devices, see the GFS hearing aid help guide, because hearing assistance may follow different coverage or community routes than ordinary mobility DME.
What to Prepare Before You Call
- The exact item name and size.
- User height and weight when fit matters.
- Whether the item is needed for a discharge and the discharge date.
- Medicare, MassHealth, or health-plan information if insurance may pay.
- The medical order, prescription, or letter of medical necessity if one exists.
- Your town and ZIP code for local programs.
- A vehicle plan for large-item pickup.
- A phone number where the program can reach you.
For a wheelchair, bed, or lift, ask a physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse, or supplier what measurements and safety features matter before accepting a substitute item.
Safety, Cleaning, and Pickup
A reused item should solve a problem without creating a new one. Before leaving a loan closet or accepting a delivery, look for cracks, loose hardware, worn wheels, damaged cords, weak brakes, missing footrests, missing slings, or other parts that affect safe use. Ask how the item was cleaned and whether the program has tested its basic functions.
For powered equipment, confirm that the charger, battery, controls, and any special accessories are included. For a hospital bed, measure the room, doorways, and path from the vehicle before pickup. For a patient lift, do not assume any sling will fit. The sling type and size must match the person and the lift.
Do not force a donated item to work just because it is free. If you are unsure about fit or safe use, ask a physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse, supplier, or other qualified professional to check the equipment. Keep the program’s phone number and any loan paperwork so you know what to do if a part fails or the item must be returned.
Phone Scripts
Council on Aging
“I live in [town] and need a [exact item] for an older adult. Do you have a medical equipment loan closet, or do you know a nearby program that does? Is it a loan or ours to keep, and what do we need to bring?”
REquipment or reuse program
“I am looking for a [exact item and size]. Is one available now? What condition is it in, what parts are included, and how do pickup or delivery work?”
Hospital discharge planner
“The discharge date is [date]. What equipment must be in the home before discharge? Has the order gone to a supplier, and what backup plan do we have if delivery is late?”
MassHealth or supplier
“I am checking on a DME request for [item]. Do you have the prescription or medical-necessity letter? Does it need prior authorization, and is anything missing from the request?”
Reality Checks
- Free does not mean available. Reuse programs depend on donations and may not have the right size.
- Pickup can be the hardest part. Large beds and lifts may require a truck, helpers, or advance scheduling.
- A loan is not ownership. Ask about return dates, damage responsibility, cleaning, and missing parts.
- Insurance is not instant. Prescriptions, supplier documents, and prior authorization can delay DME.
- Fit matters. Do not use a wheelchair, lift, bathroom device, or other safety equipment that is the wrong size or missing needed parts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Calling only one program and stopping after “not in stock.”
- Asking for “equipment” instead of the exact item and size.
- Assuming a reused item will be delivered.
- Taking a wheelchair without checking brakes, width, and footrests.
- Taking a patient lift without the correct sling or safe-use instruction.
- Waiting to start insurance paperwork until every free route fails.
- Driving to a town loan closet without checking current hours and residency rules.
If Delayed, Denied, or Overwhelmed
Separate the problem into three parts: the item, the payer, and the pickup plan. Then ask what is blocking each part.
- No item available: ask if a safe substitute could work and whether another branch or partner has stock.
- Insurance delay: ask the supplier which document, medical note, or prior-authorization step is missing.
- MassHealth denial: read the written notice and follow the appeal instructions if you disagree. Ask MassHealth customer service for help understanding the next step.
- Several needs at once: call MassOptions and ask for options counseling so equipment, home care, meals, rides, and caregiver needs can be discussed together.
Backup Options
Ask a therapist. A physical or occupational therapist may know a safer substitute item, measurements, or a local reuse source.
Ask nearby towns. Some local closets serve surrounding communities when stock allows.
Use aging navigation. If you are outside Massachusetts temporarily or helping a relative in another state, the federal Eldercare Locator can connect older adults and caregivers with local aging services.
Donate carefully. If you are giving away equipment, check the current MassAbility donation list first. Programs may refuse broken items, certain large items, opened supplies, or items they cannot safely clean and store.
Resumen en Español
En Massachusetts, empiece con REquipment para buscar equipo médico reutilizado sin costo. También llame al Council on Aging de su ciudad y pregunte por un clóset de préstamo de equipo médico. Si necesita probar un aparato por poco tiempo, MassAbility tiene programas de préstamo de tecnología de asistencia.
Si el equipo debe ser ordenado por un médico, pregunte por Medicare o MassHealth. Desde el 1 de enero de 2026, MassHealth maneja DME y productos relacionados por fee-for-service. Antes de aceptar una silla de ruedas, cama, andador o elevador, confirme el tamaño, límite de peso, piezas, limpieza, transporte y reglas de devolución.
Si no sabe qué oficina sirve su ciudad, llame a MassOptions al 1-800-243-4636 y pida la agencia regional de servicios para personas mayores o con discapacidades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one statewide loan-closet list?
No. Massachusetts has statewide reuse programs, regional disability services, town senior-center closets, and insurance routes. Start with REquipment and your local aging office, then add regional programs if the first source has no suitable item.
Is REquipment free?
Yes. REquipment says it provides no-cost, gently used durable home medical equipment and assistive technology throughout Massachusetts. Availability still depends on the donated inventory that matches your need.
Do I need a prescription?
A community reuse or loan program may not require a prescription. Medicare and MassHealth DME usually require medical documentation, and the supplier may need a prescription or letter of medical necessity.
Can Medicare pay for DME?
Medicare Part B can cover medically necessary DME ordered for use in the home when Medicare rules are met. Check that the doctor and supplier meet Medicare requirements and ask the supplier about assignment before receiving the item.
Can MassHealth pay for DME?
MassHealth covers many kinds of medically necessary DME for eligible members. Some items require prior authorization, and the DME provider may need a prescription or letter of medical necessity before the item can be approved or delivered.
Where can I find a hospital bed?
Check REquipment, Freemasons HELP, local senior-center closets, and regional disability programs. If the bed is medically necessary, ask the medical provider to start Medicare or MassHealth coverage at the same time.
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: 16 September 2026 · Next review: 16 January 2027
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