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Last updated: 23 September 2026
Hawaii has several ways to borrow, receive, rent, or get coverage for medical equipment, but the best route depends on the island and the item. Simple equipment such as walkers, canes, wheelchairs, shower chairs, and commodes may be available through reuse programs. Hospital beds, oxygen, power mobility, and other prescribed equipment usually need a doctor, health plan, or licensed supplier.
Bottom Line: For a free or borrowed item, start with the ATRC equipment program and Hawaii ADRC. ATRC now says people can borrow assistive technology for up to six weeks or receive refurbished equipment to keep at no cost when available, including some medical equipment. ADRC can connect older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to county and local help. If the item is medically necessary for long-term use, also start the Medicare or Med-QUEST coverage path instead of waiting for a donated item.
Need equipment for discharge today? Tell the hospital discharge planner or social worker before leaving. Name the exact item and say why the person cannot safely go home without it. Ask for a temporary loan, rental, supplier delivery, or covered option. A same-day need should not depend on an online form that may take several days for a reply.
Start Here
- Check ATRC first. Search Hawaii AT4All for equipment that can be borrowed or transferred, and submit a request for the exact item.
- Call ADRC. Call 808-643-2372 for local aging and disability referrals. The ADRC says online requests may take up to three business days, so call for an urgent need.
- Use insurance for complex DME. For a hospital bed, power wheelchair, oxygen equipment, CPAP, or another prescribed item, contact the doctor, health plan, and a licensed supplier.
If the equipment problem is part of a wider disability need, see our Hawaii disability help guide.
Quick-Reference Table
| Need | Best first route | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Walker, cane, commode, shower chair | ATRC, AT4All, local loan closet | Stock changes. Confirm size, condition, pickup, and return rules. |
| Manual wheelchair | ATRC, loan closet, supplier | Check seat width, brakes, footrests, and weight limit. |
| Hospital bed or power chair | Doctor, plan, supplier | These often need medical documentation, delivery, setup, or authorization. |
| Oxygen or CPAP | Doctor and supplier | Do not rely on unknown used respiratory equipment. |
| Unsure where to begin | Hawaii ADRC | Ask for the closest reuse, rental, delivery, or county option. |
What Has Changed
The biggest update is at the Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii (ATRC). Its current equipment page now describes two no-cost paths: short-term borrowing for up to six weeks and refurbished equipment to keep when available. The page specifically says long-term refurbished items can include medical equipment. This update removes the older statement that ATRC does not handle medical equipment.
We also removed an uncertain Hawaii Island phone detail. The current Hawaii County Office of Aging page shows two different Kona numbers in separate places. Rather than guess which one is current, this guide sends readers to the official contact page or the statewide ADRC number.
Statewide Help for Medical Equipment
ATRC: Borrow or Keep Equipment
The ATRC access program is now one of the strongest statewide starting points. It says users can borrow assistive technology for up to six weeks to try it in daily life. It also offers refurbished devices to keep at no cost when available. The current page says those long-term items can include medical equipment and computers.
ATRC uses Hawaii AT4All for listings and requests. AT4All also includes items from participating agencies, businesses, lending programs, and individuals. Listings may be for loan, giveaway, demonstration, or sale, so read the terms for the individual item before making a pickup plan.
Hawaii ADRC: Local Referral Help
The Hawaii ADRC helps older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers find long-term supports and local services. Call 808-643-2372. The site says a local ADRC may take up to three business days to respond to an online request, and it directs people who need immediate help to call instead.
When you call, do not ask only for “medical equipment.” Give the exact item, island, town, whether the person can pick it up, and whether the need is temporary or long term. Ask for a free loan, reuse source, rental backup, and licensed supplier if the first option has no stock.
Our Hawaii aging offices guide explains the county aging network and can help when you need a local office rather than a statewide referral.
Hawaii SHIP: Medicare Questions
Hawaii SHIP provides free Medicare counseling. Call 808-586-7299 on Oahu or 1-888-875-9229 toll-free. SHIP can explain what Medicare may cover and how Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or other coverage affects the bill. SHIP does not supply equipment itself.
Island-by-Island Equipment Help
Equipment reuse in Hawaii is local. Inventory can change in hours, and travel between towns can be difficult. Call or submit a request before driving to a closet or pickup point.
Maui County
The Maui Medical Loan Closet is one of the clearest dedicated DME reuse programs in the state. Its current site says every item in its online storefront is free. It asks users to browse inventory, request what they need, and coordinate pickup or delivery. Pickup at its Central Maui location is described as the faster option, while delivery depends on coordination.
The closet began after the 2023 Maui fires and now distributes donated equipment to the broader Maui community. Its contact page lists 808-276-1791. If you have equipment to donate, its donation guide lists commonly accepted items and items it does not accept. Call first because storage and safety rules can change.
If equipment is only one part of the care problem, our Hawaii caregiver programs guide may help with the next step.
Kauai
The Kauai aging agency is the county Area Agency on Aging and ADRC. Its phone number is 808-241-4470. A county Kauai resource directory says donated medical equipment and supplies are available for loan through the Agency on Elderly Affairs and tells residents to call to see if the needed item is available.
That wording matters: it confirms a loan route, not guaranteed stock. Ask whether the exact item is available, whether there is a waiting list, who can borrow it, where pickup occurs, and whether there is a return date.
Hawaii Island
Start with the Hawaii County Office, which serves residents age 60 and older, people with disabilities, and caregivers across Hawaii Island. The page lists 808-961-8626 for Hilo and also links to a help request form. Because the current page displays two different Kona numbers, use the official page or statewide ADRC number instead of relying on an old saved number.
A caregiver resource guide currently posted by Hawai‘i Community Caregiver Network lists local free-loan sources such as Hospice of Kona Memory Lane Too and the Waikoloa Loan Closet, with equipment limited to stock on hand. Treat these as leads rather than guaranteed inventory, and confirm the current contact and item before traveling.
Oahu
The Honolulu Elderly Affairs Senior Helpline is 808-768-7700. The division provides information, referral, benefits screening help, and long-term care decision support for seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers. It is a strong first call when you need a local Oahu route but do not know which provider has equipment.
St. Francis home modification services currently say eligible seniors age 70 and older may receive assistive devices such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs at no cost. Call 808-547-6500 to confirm eligibility, service area, and current availability before depending on the program.
For larger home-safety needs such as ramps or bathroom changes, our Hawaii home repair guide covers other assistance paths.
When Medicare, Med-QUEST, or a Supplier Is Better
A free loan closet can solve a short-term need, but it should not replace the proper coverage path when equipment is medically necessary, expensive, custom, or needed for months or years.
Medicare Part B
Medicare DME coverage can apply when a doctor or other health care provider orders medically necessary equipment for use in the home. Medicare defines DME as durable, used for a medical reason, generally useful only to someone who is sick or injured, appropriate for home use, and expected to last at least three years.
After the Part B deductible, Medicare says the beneficiary normally pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Coverage can work differently by item. Some equipment is rented, some is purchased, and some may become the beneficiary’s property after a required rental period. Ask the supplier whether it is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment before delivery.
If Medicare costs are hard to manage, our Hawaii Medicare savings guide explains programs that may help with other Medicare costs. Those programs do not replace the DME order or supplier rules.
Hawaii Med-QUEST
Hawaii’s QUEST Integration benefits include durable medical equipment, visual appliances, medical supplies, orthotics, and prosthetics. Coverage still depends on medical need, plan rules, the requested item, and any authorization or provider requirements.
For medical-benefit prior authorization requests subject to those rules, Med-QUEST says standard requests are processed within seven calendar days and expedited requests within 72 hours, effective January 1, 2026. See the authorization timing page. This does not mean every DME request requires prior authorization or will be approved.
Licensed Suppliers
If reuse does not fit, use Hawaii’s current licensed supplier list. Ask about delivery area, rental versus purchase, Medicare assignment, Med-QUEST plan participation, deposits, repair service, and what you may owe before you agree to an order.
Which Equipment Is Safer to Reuse?
| Equipment | Reuse route | Main safety check |
|---|---|---|
| Canes and crutches | Often reasonable | Height, rubber tips, cracks, grip |
| Walkers and rollators | Often reasonable | Brakes, wheels, height, frame |
| Manual wheelchairs | Sometimes reasonable | Seat width, brakes, footrests, limit |
| Shower chairs and commodes | Often possible | Stability, feet, cleanliness, fit |
| Hospital beds and lifts | Use extra caution | Setup, parts, mattress, transfer safety |
| Power chairs and scooters | Clinical fit preferred | Seating, controls, battery, repair support |
| Oxygen and CPAP | Use medical supplier | Prescription, sanitation, settings, service |
A free item is useful only if it is safe. If fit, setup, pressure settings, electrical function, or infection control matters, ask a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, respiratory therapist, or supplier to confirm the correct equipment.
What to Gather Before You Call
- The exact item needed, not just “medical equipment.”
- The person’s height and weight.
- Seat width or weight limit if a wheelchair is needed.
- Whether the need is temporary or long term.
- Any doctor, therapist, hospital, hospice, or home-health instructions.
- Insurance information, including Medicare, Med-QUEST, or private coverage.
- Town, island, and how far the family can travel.
- Whether a car can hold the item and who can help load it.
- Home details such as stairs, narrow doors, tub access, or uneven ground.
If the immediate need is disposable rather than durable equipment, our free incontinence supplies guide covers a different set of programs.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Name the item. Say “front-wheel walker,” “transport wheelchair,” or “bedside commode.”
- Ask about fit. Give height, weight, seat width, and any therapist instructions.
- Confirm stock first. Do not drive across an island because an item appeared online yesterday.
- Ask about pickup. Confirm address, hours, loading help, delivery, and whether the item folds.
- Start coverage too. A temporary free item can bridge the gap while Medicare or Med-QUEST processes a medically necessary request.
- Get a backup. Ask each office for one more source in case the item is gone.
If a senior is moving into a higher level of care, our Hawaii assisted living guide may help the family compare the larger care decision.
Who to Call by Problem
| Problem | First call | Ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Need free basic equipment | ATRC or ADRC | Borrow, refurbished item, local reuse |
| Leaving hospital today | Discharge planner | Safe temporary and covered plan |
| Medicare coverage question | Hawaii SHIP | Coverage, assignment, cost help |
| Med-QUEST member | Health plan | Order, authorization, network supplier |
| No free stock | Licensed supplier | Rental, delivery, insurance billing |
Reality Checks and Common Mistakes
Reality check: “Free” does not mean “right for every person.” Wrong wheelchair width, walker height, brake condition, or transfer equipment can cause falls or injury. For complex equipment, fit matters as much as price.
- Do not wait until discharge day to start asking for equipment.
- Do not drive to a closet without confirming the exact item is still there.
- Do not assume a donated item has been cleaned, serviced, or fitted.
- Do not buy an expensive item before checking Medicare or Med-QUEST coverage.
- Do not give a Medicare number to an unsolicited caller offering “free” braces or equipment.
- Do not use a short-term loan as a reason to stop a long-term medical order.
Denied, Delayed, or No Stock?
If a closet has no item, ask for two alternatives: another reuse program and a rental or supplier option. If insurance denies equipment, ask for the written reason, what clinical records are missing, whether the prescriber can submit more documentation, and what appeal route applies.
If you see a Medicare charge for equipment you did not request or receive, contact SMP Hawaii. The program helps Medicare beneficiaries detect, prevent, and report possible fraud, errors, and abuse involving medical supplies and equipment.
If the family also needs emergency bill, transportation, food, or community support, our Hawaii charities guide can help find other local paths while the equipment issue is being solved.
Phone Scripts to Use
For ATRC or ADRC
“I am helping an older adult in [town and island]. We need a [exact item]. The person is [height and weight], and we need it by [date]. Is there a free loan, refurbished item, or local reuse source? If not, what is the next closest option?”
For a loan closet
“Do you have a [exact item] available now? What size is it? Is there a weight limit? Has it been checked for working brakes, wheels, feet, and missing parts? What do I need to bring, and when must it be returned?”
For hospital discharge
“This person cannot go home safely without a [item]. Please help us arrange a temporary item or covered supplier before discharge. Who is responsible for the order, when will it arrive, and what is the backup if it is delayed?”
For a supplier
“My doctor ordered a [item] for home use. Are you enrolled with Medicare or my Med-QUEST plan? Do you accept assignment or my plan’s payment? What paperwork is missing, what will I owe, and when can you deliver?”
Resumen en Español
En Hawái, la ayuda con equipo médico depende del artículo y de la isla. Para equipo básico, empiece con ATRC y Hawaii AT4All. ATRC ahora indica que presta tecnología de asistencia por hasta seis semanas y que también puede entregar equipo reacondicionado sin costo para conservarlo, según disponibilidad. Para encontrar ayuda local, llame al Hawaii ADRC al 808-643-2372.
En Maui, el Maui Medical Loan Closet ofrece equipo donado sin costo. En Kauai, la Agency on Elderly Affairs indica que puede prestar equipo médico donado si hay existencias. En Oahu, llame a Elderly Affairs al 808-768-7700; St. Francis también anuncia algunos dispositivos sin costo para personas elegibles de 70 años o más. En la isla de Hawái, use la página actual del Hawaii County Office of Aging o el ADRC estatal para evitar números antiguos.
Para cama de hospital, silla eléctrica, oxígeno, CPAP u otro equipo recetado, hable con el médico, Medicare, Med-QUEST y un proveedor autorizado. Antes de recoger equipo usado, confirme el tamaño, estado, limpieza, piezas, transporte y reglas de devolución. Si Medicare cobra por un equipo que usted no recibió, comuníquese con SMP Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I start for free equipment in Hawaii?
Start with ATRC and Hawaii AT4All for borrowing or refurbished equipment, then call Hawaii ADRC at 808-643-2372 for local options. For complex prescribed equipment, also contact the doctor, health plan, and supplier.
Can ATRC provide medical equipment to keep?
ATRC’s current page says refurbished devices may be provided to keep at no cost when available, and it specifically includes medical equipment among possible long-term items. Availability depends on current inventory.
Does Maui have a free medical equipment closet?
Yes. The Maui Medical Loan Closet says the items in its online inventory are free. Pickup in Central Maui is usually faster than delivery, and availability changes.
Can Kauai seniors borrow donated equipment?
Yes, when stock is available. The Kauai Agency on Elderly Affairs resource directory says donated medical equipment and supplies are available for loan and tells residents to call first.
Will Medicare pay for a wheelchair or hospital bed?
Medicare Part B may cover medically necessary DME for home use when the required provider orders it and Medicare’s rules are met. Cost and rental or purchase rules depend on the item and supplier.
What if no free item is available?
Ask ADRC or the local aging office for another reuse source, then check rental and insurance options with a licensed supplier. A temporary rental may be safer than waiting when the equipment is needed to prevent a fall or allow a safe discharge.
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: 23 September 2026 · Next review: 23 January 2027
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