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Last updated: 13 September 2026
Florida has real ways to borrow, reuse, or get help paying for medical equipment, but there is no single statewide warehouse that promises free equipment to every senior. The best first route for many people is the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology (FAAST), which runs device loans and a network of reuse partners. Medicare, Florida Medicaid, aging agencies, and local referral services can also help when a community loan closet does not have the item you need.
Bottom Line
Start with FAAST if you need a wheelchair, walker, shower or bathroom aid, assistive technology, or another reusable device. FAAST says its reutilization partners may provide refurbished assistive technology and durable medical equipment at little or no cost, while its statewide lending library offers short-term device loans to Florida residents. Stock changes, so call before traveling. If the item is medically necessary and prescribed, check Medicare or Florida Medicaid at the same time instead of waiting only on donated equipment.
Need Equipment Right Now?
If a missing device creates an immediate medical emergency, call 911. If a hospital or rehabilitation discharge is happening today, tell the discharge planner or case manager before leaving that you do not have the required equipment at home. A community loan closet may help, but inventory and pickup timing are not guaranteed.
Start Here
- Call FAAST: 1-844-353-2278. Ask about both reuse equipment and a short-term loan.
- Check insurance: If a doctor ordered the item, ask Medicare, your Medicare Advantage plan, or your Florida Medicaid plan whether it is covered.
- Search locally too: Call Florida’s Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 or dial 211 and ask specifically for a “medical equipment loan closet,” “DME reuse,” or “assistive technology reuse” program near your ZIP code.
Quick Reference: Best First Route
| Situation | Best first route | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| You need reusable equipment at little or no cost | FAAST equipment reuse | Refurbished donated equipment may be available. Inventory changes. |
| You need to try a device or need a temporary loan | FAAST device loans | Florida residents can borrow eligible assistive technology for a short period. |
| A clinician ordered medically necessary DME | Medicare DME coverage | Coverage depends on Medicare rules, the order, and supplier requirements. |
| You have Florida Medicaid | Florida Medicaid DME | Medically necessary DME and medical supplies may be covered under current rules and plan limits. |
| You do not know what exists near you | Florida Elder Helpline | Referral to aging and community resources in your county. |
| You need a local charity or community closet | Local 211 search | Local referrals can change, so ask by ZIP code and equipment type. |
A “free” route is not guaranteed. Reuse programs depend on donated stock, while insurance routes depend on medical necessity, coverage rules, suppliers, and your plan.
What Counts as Medical Equipment?
Durable medical equipment, often shortened to DME, usually means equipment that can be used repeatedly for a medical purpose. Common examples include walkers, wheelchairs, commode chairs, hospital beds, oxygen equipment, and some other mobility or respiratory devices. Assistive technology is broader. It can include devices that help a person communicate, see, hear, use a computer, control a home device, or stay independent.
Community reuse programs do not follow the same rules as Medicare or Medicaid. A reuse center may have a donated walker today and none tomorrow. It may also carry items that insurance would not classify as DME. For a national overview of the different routes, see the GFS national DME guide and our loan closet guide.
FAAST Is Florida’s Main Statewide Starting Point
The Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology is the strongest statewide first stop for donated, reused, and short-term assistive technology. FAAST says its reutilization program can involve repair, recycling, loans, rentals, sales, or donations of assistive technology and durable medical equipment. Its reuse partners may have refurbished devices at little or no cost.
FAAST also runs a statewide lending library. Its current loan program details say Florida residents can borrow available devices for about 15 to 35 days to try equipment, cover a short-term need, or use a temporary device while waiting for repairs or funding. FAAST says the device can be shipped to the consumer at no charge; its current FAQ also says borrowing is free and that it covers shipping both ways.
FAAST statewide help: 1-844-353-2278. TTY: 1-877-506-2723. FAAST also lists device demonstrations so a person can compare equipment before buying or seeking funding.
Helpful tip: When you call FAAST, ask two questions, not one: “Do you have this item through a reuse partner?” and “If not, is there a short-term loan or demonstration device I can use while I look for a permanent solution?”
Current FAAST Reuse Partners in Florida
FAAST’s current regional center list says Florida has nine Regional Reutilization Centers. These partners receive used equipment, make repairs or maintenance upgrades when appropriate, and place equipment back into the community. Call first. Stock, pickup rules, service areas, and whether an item is free, loaned, or otherwise provided can change.
| Reuse partner | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| CIL Broward | Fort Lauderdale area | 954-722-6400 ext. 132 |
| CIL Gulf Coast | Fort Myers | 239-260-4575 |
| CIL Northwest Florida | Pensacola | 850-595-5566 |
| CIL Jacksonville | Jacksonville | 904-399-8484 ext. 325 |
| CIL North Central Florida | Gainesville | 352-378-7474 |
| Disability Achievement Center | Largo | 727-539-7550 ext. 338 |
| Self Reliance | Tampa | 813-375-3965 |
| Suncoast CIL | Sarasota | 941-351-9545 |
| CIL South Florida | South Florida | 305-751-8025 |
If none of these centers is close, call FAAST at 1-844-353-2278. FAAST also operates Regional Demonstration Centers across Florida and can route callers by county.
When Medicare May Be Better Than a Loan Closet
For equipment ordered by a doctor or other treating provider, check Medicare before paying out of pocket. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary DME for use in the home when Medicare’s requirements are met. The official Medicare coverage page includes items such as canes, commode chairs, hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, oxygen equipment, CPAP equipment, and other covered devices.
With Original Medicare, after the Part B deductible, the usual cost is 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Medicare may rent some equipment, buy some equipment, or use a rent-to-own arrangement depending on the item. Medicare Advantage plans can use plan networks and plan-specific authorization or cost-sharing rules.
Use Medicare’s supplier directory to look for enrolled suppliers near your ZIP code. If cost is the problem, a Florida SHINE counselor can review Medicare coverage and cost-help options. SHINE is Florida’s free, unbiased State Health Insurance Assistance Program; call 1-800-963-5337 or use the SHINE counseling program. GFS also explains Medicare Savings Programs for Florida seniors who need help with Medicare costs.
Reality check: A reused wheelchair or walker can solve an immediate gap, but it is not the same as an insurance-covered device selected for your medical needs. For custom wheelchairs, prescribed respiratory equipment, fitted braces, or other specialized items, start with the clinician and the health plan or supplier.
Florida Medicaid Can Cover Medically Necessary DME
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) says Florida Medicaid reimburses for DME and medical supplies that are appropriate for use in the recipient’s home. Equipment can be rented, purchased, or rented-to-purchase. The state’s covered examples include commodes, hospital-type beds, mobility aids, wheelchairs, orthopedic devices, respiratory equipment, diabetic equipment and supplies, and other medical supplies.
AHCA says medically necessary DME and medical supplies are available to Medicaid recipients subject to the applicable coverage and limitation rules, and that DME is a minimum covered service for Medicaid Managed Medical Assistance and Long-Term Care plans. Florida adopted updated service-specific DME policies in 2026; the current Medicaid policy list shows the DME rule categories effective May 31, 2026.
If you are in a Medicaid managed care plan, call the plan first and ask whether the exact item needs prior authorization, which suppliers are in-network, and what documentation is needed. For general help, the Florida Medicaid Helpline is 1-877-254-1055, TDD 1-866-467-4970, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
How to Find Local DME Loan Closets
Florida does not have one complete public list of every church, senior center, nonprofit, civic group, hospice, or community organization that may lend medical equipment. Local programs can open, close, move, or run out of inventory. That is why county-level referral services are useful.
The Florida Department of Elder Affairs operates 11 Area Agencies on Aging that function as Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs). The Florida ADRC network provides information and referrals to local services. Call the statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337. GFS also has a county-oriented guide to Florida Area Agencies.
You can also dial 211 and ask for current resources by ZIP code. Use specific words: “durable medical equipment,” “medical equipment loan closet,” “wheelchair loan,” “walker loan,” “hospital bed assistance,” or “assistive technology reuse.” If the first referral has no stock, call back and ask for another provider rather than assuming nothing exists locally.
Specialized Equipment Routes
Hearing or speech telephone equipment: The Florida Department of Health says Florida’s telecommunications equipment distribution program provides specialized telephone equipment for residents who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind, or Speech Impaired. Equipment is loaned for as long as the person needs it. See the state’s communication equipment information.
Disability-related needs: Florida seniors with a disability may also need home access, transportation, or independent-living help along with equipment. See GFS’s Florida disability help.
Veterans: Veterans may have additional equipment and prosthetic routes through VA care. GFS’s Florida veteran benefits guide can help you find state and federal starting points.
Incontinence supplies: Disposable briefs and related supplies are different from reusable DME. See the GFS guide to free incontinence supplies for those options.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Name the exact item. “Wheelchair” is too broad if you really need a transport chair, power wheelchair, reclining chair, or custom seating.
- Know the user’s size and needs. For mobility or bathroom equipment, ask the clinician or therapist whether there are width, weight, transfer, or safety requirements.
- Call before driving. Reuse stock changes. Ask whether the item is physically available now and whether pickup requires an appointment.
- Run two paths at once. If the equipment may be covered by insurance, start the insurance process while also checking reuse or short-term loans.
- Ask about delivery. A free hospital bed is not useful if there is no safe way to move it into the home.
- Keep denial papers. If Medicare or Medicaid denies coverage, the written notice tells you why and explains the next appeal step.
What to Gather Before You Call
- The exact equipment name and, if known, model or size.
- The senior’s ZIP code and county.
- Height, weight, seat width, or other sizing information when relevant.
- A doctor’s order, therapy note, or discharge paperwork if the item is medically necessary.
- Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, VA, or other insurance information.
- Whether you can pick up the equipment and what vehicle you have.
- How long you need the item: a few days, several weeks, or permanently.
Check Safety Before Accepting Used Equipment
Before taking a reused item home, ask whether it was inspected, cleaned, and tested. Check that brakes, wheels, locks, rails, cords, batteries, and moving parts work. Make sure all needed pieces are included. Ask for the weight limit and basic instructions when those matter.
Do not assume a donated item is medically appropriate just because it is free. A bedside commode, walker, wheelchair, hospital bed, or lift can be the wrong size or setup for a person’s needs. Ask a clinician or therapist when fit, transfers, pressure relief, breathing, or fall risk is part of the reason the equipment is needed.
Reality Checks for Florida Equipment Help
- Inventory is the biggest limit. Reuse centers cannot promise a specific device will be available when you call.
- “Free” has different meanings. Some items may be donated, some loaned, some rented, and some available only at reduced cost.
- Delivery is separate. A program may have equipment but not transportation or home setup.
- Insurance can take longer. Prescriptions, documentation, prior authorization, and supplier rules can delay medically necessary equipment.
- Local programs change. A church or civic loan closet found in an old directory may no longer operate. Confirm before traveling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting on only one program. Check FAAST, insurance, ADRC, and local reuse options at the same time when the need is urgent.
- Driving without confirming stock. Always call first.
- Paying a non-Medicare supplier first. If you expect Medicare to help, confirm the supplier’s Medicare status and assignment rules before accepting the item.
- Using the wrong equipment size. Free equipment can still be unsafe if it does not fit the user or home.
- Throwing away a denial notice. Keep it. It explains the reason and appeal route.
- Assuming all Florida senior help is DME help. If equipment cost is part of a bigger financial problem, use the broader Florida senior benefits guide too.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
If Medicare denies the item: Read the denial or Medicare Summary Notice and follow the appeal instructions. Medicare says beneficiaries can appeal a refusal to cover or pay for an item or supply. The official Medicare appeals guide explains the process. A SHINE counselor can also help you understand what the notice means.
If Florida Medicaid denies or delays the item: Contact your managed care plan first. If the problem is not resolved, AHCA provides a Medicaid complaint route and the Medicaid Helpline at 1-877-254-1055.
If no reuse center has stock: Ask FAAST about a short-term loan, call your ADRC, dial 211, and ask the hospital, rehabilitation facility, home health agency, or therapist whether they know of a local loan closet. Do not pay for an expensive item until you have checked the insurance route if the item was prescribed.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
FAAST reuse or loan
“I live in [county], Florida, and I need a [exact item] for an older adult. Do you have one through a reuse partner, short-term loan, or demonstration program? If not, which center should I call next?”
Medicare or health plan
“My doctor ordered a [item]. Is it covered under my plan, do I need prior authorization, and which local suppliers can provide it? Please tell me what paperwork is still missing.”
Elder Helpline or 211
“I need a medical equipment loan closet or DME reuse program near ZIP code [ZIP]. I am looking for a [item]. Can you give me the closest current programs and phone numbers?”
Hospital discharge staff
“The discharge plan says I need a [item], but I do not have one at home and cannot safely manage without it. What covered supplier, temporary loan, or local equipment program can help before discharge?”
Resumen en Español
En Florida, una buena primera opción para equipo médico reutilizado o prestado es FAAST. Llame al 1-844-353-2278 y pregunte por equipos reutilizados y préstamos de corto plazo. La disponibilidad cambia y no se garantiza que un artículo específico sea gratis.
Si un médico ordenó el equipo, también revise Medicare o Florida Medicaid. Para ayuda local, llame a la Línea de Ayuda para Personas Mayores de Florida al 1-800-963-5337 o marque 211. Antes de recoger equipo usado, confirme el tamaño, funcionamiento, limpieza, piezas y transporte. Si Medicare o Medicaid niega el equipo, guarde la carta de denegación y siga las instrucciones de apelación.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida have free medical equipment for seniors?
Yes, some Florida programs may provide reused or loaned equipment at no cost or little cost, but there is no guarantee that a specific item is available. FAAST is the main statewide starting point for assistive technology reuse and short-term device loans.
What is the best first call in Florida?
For reused or loaned assistive technology, call FAAST at 1-844-353-2278. For broader senior-service referrals, call the Florida Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.
How long can I borrow a FAAST device?
FAAST currently describes its statewide short-term device loans as about 15 to 35 days for Florida residents. The exact device and loan arrangement depend on availability, so confirm the return date when you borrow it.
Can Medicare pay for a wheelchair or hospital bed?
Medicare Part B can cover medically necessary DME, including certain wheelchairs and hospital beds, when Medicare’s requirements are met and the item is ordered for use in the home. Supplier and cost rules also apply.
Does Florida Medicaid cover medical equipment?
Florida Medicaid covers medically necessary DME and medical supplies under its coverage and limitation rules. If you are in a managed care plan, contact the plan about authorization, suppliers, and documentation for the exact item.
Can a caregiver pick up reused equipment?
Rules can differ by reuse program. Ask the center whether the borrower must appear in person, whether a caregiver may sign or pick up, and what identification or paperwork is required before you travel.
What if the nearest reuse center has no equipment?
Ask FAAST about another reuse partner or a short-term loan. Then call your ADRC or 211 for local closets and check Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or other insurance if the item is medically necessary.
About This Guide
Sources
This guide uses official federal, Florida state, aging-network, assistive-technology, Medicare, Medicaid, 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. 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: 13 September 2026 · Next review: 13 December 2026
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