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Medical equipment help
Last updated: 14 September 2026
A walker, wheelchair, hospital bed, CPAP machine, or other medical equipment can be expensive. Some seniors can get equipment at no cost, while others can lower the cost through Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, or local loan and reuse programs. The right first step depends on the item, your coverage, and how quickly you need it.
Bottom Line
Do not buy expensive equipment first. If the item is medically necessary, start with your doctor or care team and your health coverage. If you need a basic item quickly, also call your local aging office and a medical equipment loan or reuse program. These routes can work at the same time.
If you need a simple way to organize calls and documents, use the GFS Senior Help Tools.
If You Need Equipment Urgently
If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. If the problem is not a 911 emergency but you cannot safely go home without equipment, tell the hospital or rehabilitation discharge planner before you leave.
For urgent community help, the federal Eldercare Locator connects older adults with local aging services at 1-800-677-1116. You can also call your local 211 and ask for a “medical equipment loan closet,” “durable medical equipment reuse program,” or “assistive technology loan program.”
Start Here
- Name the exact item. Write down the type, size, and why you need it.
- Ask your provider. For insurance-covered equipment, ask what order, notes, test results, or face-to-face visit are required.
- Check two routes at once. Call your insurer or public benefit program and a local loan/reuse program so you are not waiting on only one path.
| Your situation | Start here | Main reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving a hospital or rehab center | Discharge planner or social worker | Ask before discharge. A safe temporary item may be faster than a full insurance order. |
| Walker, cane, commode, or basic wheelchair | Aging office, 211, loan closet | Stock changes daily, and pickup may be required. |
| Hospital bed, power chair, oxygen, or CPAP | Doctor plus insurer or benefit program | These items may need medical records, approval, fitting, or special supplier rules. |
| Veteran enrolled in VA care | VA care team or Prosthetics | VA help depends on enrollment, medical need, and the applicable VA process. |
| Cannot afford Medicare cost sharing | Medicaid or Medicare Savings Program | Eligibility rules apply, and state rules can be more generous than federal minimums. |
What Has Changed
This update rechecked the highest-risk 2026 rules and made the article more focused. The 2026 Medicare Part B deductible is $283. Original Medicare still generally leaves 20% coinsurance for covered durable medical equipment after that deductible when the supplier accepts assignment. The update also adds clearer QMB billing protections, current VA equipment and supply guidance, and a stronger warning about unsolicited “free equipment” offers.
What “Free Medical Equipment” Can Mean
There is no national program that gives every senior free medical equipment. “Free” can mean several different things:
- No cost to you: Medicaid, VA benefits, a charity, or another program pays the cost.
- Borrowed equipment: A loan closet lets you use an item and return it later.
- Donated equipment: A reuse program gives you a cleaned, used item when stock is available.
- Partly covered: Medicare or another insurer pays a share, and you may owe a deductible or coinsurance.
Medicare defines durable medical equipment (DME) as equipment that is durable, used for a medical reason, generally useful to someone who is sick or injured, used in the home, and expected to last at least three years. The official DME coverage page lists examples such as walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen equipment, and CPAP devices.
Some useful items do not fit Medicare’s DME rules, and local loan closets may still carry them. If you need a donated or borrowed item, the GFS guide to DME loan closets gives a more detailed search path.
Main Ways to Get Equipment
Use the route that matches both your coverage and the item. You can try more than one route at the same time, especially when a basic item is needed quickly.
| Route | What it may do | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare | Cover medically necessary home DME | Is the item covered, and does the supplier accept assignment? |
| Medicare Advantage | Cover Medicare-covered DME under plan rules | Which suppliers are in network, and is prior authorization required? |
| Medicaid | Cover equipment or reduce costs under state rules | Is this item covered, and what approval or repair rules apply? |
| VA health care | Provide medically needed equipment and some supplies for eligible Veterans | Which VA clinic or Prosthetics team handles this item? |
| Loan/reuse program | Lend or give donated equipment | Is the exact size in stock, and is pickup required? |
Medicare
What it helps with: Medicare Part B can cover medically necessary DME ordered for use in your home. In 2026, the Part B annual deductible is $283, according to the current CMS 2026 fact sheet. After the deductible, Original Medicare generally pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount and you pay 20% when the supplier accepts assignment.
Who may qualify: Coverage depends on the item, medical necessity, your provider’s order, and Medicare supplier rules. Your doctor and DME supplier must be enrolled in Medicare. Use the official supplier directory and ask whether the supplier accepts assignment before delivery.
Medicare Advantage: Medicare Advantage plans must cover the services Original Medicare covers, but networks, costs, and authorization rules can differ. Medicare notes that prior authorization is commonly used for some services and supplies. Check your plan before ordering and use your plan card, not only your red, white, and blue Medicare card. The official plan comparison guide explains these differences.
Reality check: Medicare coverage is not the same as free equipment. Do not assume a store purchase will be reimbursed later. Confirm the order, supplier, rental or purchase method, and your expected cost first.
When Medicare Coinsurance Is the Problem
A Medicare Savings Program may help with Medicare costs. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program can pay Part A and Part B premiums and Medicare cost sharing for people who qualify. The current Medicare Savings Programs page lists 2026 federal income and resource limits and notes that some states use higher limits.
QMB has an important protection: Medicare providers and suppliers cannot bill a QMB member for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments on Medicare-covered items and services. CMS explains this on its QMB billing page. For a plain-language GFS overview, see Medicare Savings Programs.
Medicaid
What it helps with: Medicaid can be an important equipment and cost-sharing route for older adults with limited income or who qualify through disability or long-term care rules. Coverage details, prior authorization, suppliers, repairs, and replacement rules vary by state.
Where to start: Medicaid.gov says you must contact your state Medicaid agency to apply, check eligibility, find providers, or ask about claims. Ask the agency specifically about “durable medical equipment,” the exact item, and whether approval is needed before you receive it.
Some Medicaid home and community-based services can also include state-defined supports and environmental modifications for eligible people. The federal HCBS overview explains the state options, but your state decides which programs and services are available.
For broader eligibility and long-term care context, see the GFS guide to Medicaid for seniors.
Reality check: A neighbor’s Medicaid coverage does not prove your state or plan will cover the same item. Confirm your own program rules before ordering.
VA Benefits for Veterans
What it helps with: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service can provide a wide range of equipment and services, including durable medical equipment, mobility aids, communication devices, home oxygen, repairs, and other aids when the Veteran meets the applicable rules. The national VA Prosthetics page directs Veterans to their local VA facility for individual eligibility questions.
Who may qualify: General eligibility is tied to VA health care enrollment and medical need, with additional rules for some items. Start with your VA care team rather than buying equipment first.
VA also lets eligible patients order certain supplies. Its medical supplies page, updated March 10, 2026, covers hearing aid supplies, CPAP supplies, and prosthetic socks for Veterans who meet the listed conditions.
Reality check: VA equipment is not a general cash grant. The item must go through the VA care process that applies to the Veteran and equipment type.
Loan Closets and Reuse Programs
Loan closets can be the fastest option for basic equipment such as walkers, crutches, commodes, shower chairs, transfer benches, and some manual wheelchairs. Programs may be run by aging agencies, disability groups, senior centers, hospitals, churches, civic groups, or nonprofits.
Many state Assistive Technology (AT) Act programs offer device demonstrations, short-term loans, reuse services, or links to local programs. The state AT directory lists programs by state and shows which services each program offers.
Call before driving anywhere. Ask about stock, size, cleaning, pickup, delivery, deposits, loan length, and whether a provider order is needed. Do not assume “free” means you own the item.
What Works Best by Equipment Type
| Equipment | Best first route | Important point |
|---|---|---|
| Walker or cane | Doctor/Medicare plus loan closet | Medicare covers qualifying walkers and canes, but a local loan may be faster. |
| Manual or power wheelchair | Doctor and insurer | Power mobility has stricter documentation and may require prior authorization. |
| Home oxygen | Doctor and approved supplier | Oxygen has medical criteria and service rules. Do not substitute unapproved borrowed equipment. |
| CPAP machine | Sleep-care provider and insurer | Medicare uses rental and continued-use rules for covered CPAP therapy. |
| Hearing aids | Plan, VA, state/local aid | Routine hearing aids are not covered by Original Medicare. |
| Incontinence supplies | Medicaid, plan, local programs | These are recurring supplies, not the same as most reusable DME. |
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids. Medicare lists this on its not-covered services page.
For wheelchairs and scooters, Medicare says power mobility requires a face-to-face examination and written prescription, and some power wheelchairs require prior authorization. Check the current wheelchair rules.
For oxygen, use the current oxygen coverage rules. For CPAP, Medicare says qualifying equipment is rented for 13 months as long as required use conditions are met; see the current CPAP coverage page.
If the need is hearing-related, see help paying for hearing aids. For recurring protective supplies, see incontinence supply help.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Get the exact equipment name. “Wheelchair” is not enough if you need a certain seat width, weight rating, cushion, leg rest, or power feature.
- Ask what medical record is needed. For Medicare and many plans, the order and notes must show why the equipment is medically necessary in the home.
- Check the supplier before delivery. Ask whether the supplier is enrolled, in network, and accepts assignment when that applies.
- Ask about rent versus buy. Some covered DME is rented; other equipment is purchased. Ask who owns the item and who handles repairs.
- Keep a call log. Write the date, office, person, phone number, and next step after every call.
Documents and Information to Gather
- Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or health-plan card.
- Doctor or clinic name and phone number.
- Written order or prescription, if required.
- Recent visit notes or test results when the program asks for them.
- Your height, weight, and home measurements for mobility or bathroom equipment.
- Denial notice or prior authorization number if you are appealing.
- A list of other insurance or benefits that may pay after Medicare.
If you do not have a regular doctor and need a place to start care, a local health center may help you get evaluated and document your medical need. See the GFS guide to community health centers.
Reality Checks
- Inventory changes: A loan closet may have a walker today and none tomorrow.
- Free may mean loaned: Ask whether the equipment must be returned.
- Pickup can be the barrier: Large equipment may require a vehicle, caregiver, or delivery fee.
- Used equipment must fit: A wheelchair, lift, or bed that is the wrong size can be unsafe.
- Repairs matter: Ask who repairs rented, donated, or reused equipment and what happens if it breaks.
- Clinical devices need clinical setup: Oxygen, CPAP, power mobility, and specialty devices should not be borrowed casually.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying first and checking coverage later.
- Using a supplier without confirming network or Medicare status.
- Accepting the wrong size because it is free.
- Assuming all Medicaid programs cover the same equipment.
- Giving a Medicare number to an unsolicited caller.
- Throwing away denial letters before an appeal is complete.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
If Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan denies equipment, read the written notice and ask what information was missing. Medicare has an official appeals guide, and your State Health Insurance Assistance Program can give free Medicare counseling. Medicare’s helpful tools page explains how to reach SHIP or 1-800-MEDICARE.
While an appeal is pending, ask about a temporary loaner, a local reuse program, or a safer lower-cost substitute approved by your care team. For Medicaid, ask the state agency for the denial reason, appeal instructions, and whether a different covered item may meet the medical need.
Backup Options
If the first route does not work, try a second path instead of waiting without equipment. Ask the Area Agency on Aging, 211, your state AT program, a Center for Independent Living, hospital social work, or a local nonprofit whether a loan or reuse program exists. If a broader care plan is the real problem, also ask about Medicaid long-term services and supports or other local aging services.
For Medicare cost questions, a SHIP counselor can help you understand coverage and appeals. For wider benefit problems, keep separate notes for equipment, medication, food, housing, and utility needs so one urgent problem does not hide another.
Watch for “Free Equipment” Scams
Unsolicited calls promising “free” braces, catheters, or other equipment can be a fraud warning. In August 2026, the HHS Office of Inspector General highlighted DME fraud involving unnecessary or undelivered equipment and aggressive telemarketing. Its current DME fraud guidance says to be cautious with unsolicited offers, confirm equipment with your own provider, and review Medicare or plan statements for charges you do not recognize.
Do not give your Medicare number to an unknown caller who contacted you first. If equipment arrives that you did not order, contact Medicare or your plan and report suspected fraud through the official HHS-OIG process.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Hospital discharge planner
“I cannot safely go home without a [equipment name]. Can you check whether my insurance supplier can provide it before discharge, and whether there is a temporary loan option if approval takes longer?”
Medicare or health plan
“My provider says I need a [equipment name] for use at home. Is it covered, do I need prior authorization, which suppliers can I use, and what should I expect to pay?”
Area Agency on Aging or 211
“I am looking for a medical equipment loan closet or reuse program near [city or ZIP code]. I need a [equipment name]. Do you know a program that has this item or can help with pickup or delivery?”
Loan closet
“Do you have a [equipment name] in the size I need? Is it a loan or a donation, is there any fee or deposit, how is it cleaned and checked, and do I need to bring documents?”
Resumen en Español
Algunas personas mayores pueden obtener equipo médico gratis o a bajo costo por medio de Medicare, Medicaid, beneficios del VA o programas locales de préstamo y reutilización. No compre equipo costoso antes de confirmar la cobertura.
Empiece así: pida a su médico el nombre exacto del equipo y la orden necesaria. Si necesita ayuda local, llame al Eldercare Locator al 1-800-677-1116 o marque 211 y pregunte por un “medical equipment loan closet” o programa de reutilización. Si tiene Medicare, confirme que el proveedor participa en Medicare y pregunte cuánto tendrá que pagar.
Si recibe una oferta no solicitada de equipo “gratis,” no entregue su número de Medicare. Confirme primero la necesidad con un profesional de salud que usted conoce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can seniors really get free medical equipment?
Sometimes. Equipment may be free because Medicaid, VA benefits, a charity, a reuse program, or a loan closet covers the cost. Medicare often covers part of the cost rather than making the item free. Always ask who owns the equipment, whether it is a loan, and what you may owe.
Does Medicare pay for walkers, wheelchairs, and hospital beds?
Medicare Part B can cover medically necessary durable medical equipment for home use when Medicare’s requirements are met. Your provider must order the item, and your doctor and supplier must meet Medicare rules. With Original Medicare, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible when assignment applies.
What is the fastest way to get equipment after a hospital stay?
Ask the hospital discharge planner or social worker before you leave. Ask whether the hospital can arrange a Medicare or plan supplier, a short-term loaner, a local equipment closet, or another safe temporary option. Do not wait until you are home if the equipment is needed for a safe discharge.
Can Medicaid pay for equipment Medicare does not fully cover?
It may. Medicaid rules differ by state, and coverage can depend on the item, medical need, prior authorization, and the Medicaid program you use. Contact your state Medicaid agency and ask specifically about durable medical equipment, repairs, replacement, and cost sharing.
Is borrowed or used medical equipment safe?
It can be, but fit and condition matter. Ask how the item was cleaned, inspected, and maintained. Do not borrow oxygen equipment, a CPAP machine, a power mobility device, or another device that needs clinical setup unless your medical team confirms the device and settings are appropriate for you.
What should I do if someone calls offering free Medicare equipment?
Be cautious. Do not give your Medicare number to an unsolicited caller. Confirm equipment needs with a health professional you know, use a verified supplier, and review Medicare statements for items you did not order. Report suspected fraud through the official HHS-OIG process.
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: 14 September 2026 · Next review: 14 January 2027
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