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Minnesota medical equipment help
Last updated: 28 September 2026
Minnesota has several ways to borrow, reuse, or receive durable medical equipment (DME). There is no single statewide warehouse that keeps every walker, wheelchair, shower chair, or commode. The best path is to use statewide search help first, then call local loan closets before driving anywhere.
Bottom Line
If you need a basic item quickly, start with Minnesota STAR for assistive technology loans, ConnectAbility for donated equipment, or Minnesota Aging Pathways at 1-800-333-2433 for local referrals. For equipment needed long term, start the doctor and insurance process at the same time. A community loan can be a bridge while a permanent order is moving.
Need Equipment Before Discharge?
- Leaving a hospital or rehab soon: Ask the discharge planner to write down the exact equipment name, size, weight capacity, and date needed.
- Unsafe without the device: Tell the doctor, therapist, nurse, or discharge team if the person cannot transfer, walk, bathe, or use the toilet safely.
- Need a local search: Call Minnesota Aging Pathways at 1-800-333-2433 and ask for DME loan closets near the home ZIP code.
- Need disability-system help: Call Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466.
Start Here
- Name the exact item. Ask for a two-wheel walker, rollator, transport chair, manual wheelchair, bedside commode, shower chair, tub transfer bench, toilet riser, knee scooter, or other specific item.
- Get basic fit details. Measure the person and the home. For a wheelchair, ask about seat width and weight capacity. For bathroom equipment, measure the doorway, tub, and toilet area.
- Run two tracks together. Search community loan and reuse programs while the doctor, therapist, supplier, Medicare, Medical Assistance, or health plan handles any long-term order.
| Need | Best first move | Why | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Try a device first | Minnesota STAR | Short-term and limited open-ended assistive technology loans | Stock varies and specialty items may not be available |
| Common donated DME | ConnectAbility | Walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, toilet risers, and other reusable items | Inventory changes by location |
| A person to search locally | Aging Pathways | Statewide older-adult and caregiver navigation | It can refer you, but it does not control closet inventory |
| County-by-county options | State resource directory | Searches many Minnesota equipment-loan programs | Service areas and fees vary |
| Long-term covered equipment | Doctor and health plan | Insurance rules may cover medically necessary DME | Orders, suppliers, documentation, and authorization rules can apply |
What Has Changed
Several local details were refreshed for September 2026. ConnectAbility now posts dated equipment availability for its Duluth, Rochester, and Waite Park offices and lists walk-in pickup hours. Nicollet County has clarified its deposit amounts, loan periods, pickup rules, and that it is not accepting equipment donations at this time. State resource listings for programs such as Koochiching Aging Options and Barnesville Area Helpers were also rechecked.
The main statewide starting points remain Minnesota STAR, Minnesota Aging Pathways, Disability Hub MN, and the Minnesota Aging and Disability Resources directory.
How Medical Equipment Reuse Works in Minnesota
Durable medical equipment is reusable equipment used for a medical or safety need. Common examples include walkers, manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, shower chairs, transfer benches, bedside commodes, toilet risers, canes, crutches, bed rails, and some patient lifts.
Minnesota equipment help comes from several systems. A program may lend equipment for a set time, make a long-term loan, give donated items to a new user, or help someone try assistive technology before buying. A local closet may be free, may ask for a refundable deposit, or may charge a small one-time fee.
Community equipment is not the same as insurance coverage. A local loan can solve a short-term problem after surgery or rehab. It can also help while a permanent insurance order is being processed. For a broader explanation of how loan closets work, see the GFS national DME guide.
If the equipment need is part of a larger benefits problem, use the Minnesota senior benefits guide. If disability services, home supports, or accessibility are also involved, the Minnesota disability guide can help with the next step.
Statewide Options to Try First
Minnesota STAR and MN AT4ALL
The Minnesota STAR Program is a strong first stop when the need involves assistive technology. STAR says Minnesota residents can borrow devices to try them before buying, use them while another device is being repaired, or learn whether the equipment meets a person’s needs.
Loan terms: STAR lists short-term loans of 45 days or less and a limited supply of open-ended loans. It says there is no cost to borrow. STAR can ship a device to a Minnesota borrower at no cost, while the borrower normally handles the return shipment or returns the device by appointment.
Best fit: Mobility, seating, hearing, vision, communication, memory, computer access, daily living, and other assistive technology needs. Search the online library or contact STAR when you do not know the exact device name.
ConnectAbility Donated Equipment
ConnectAbility is useful for common reusable equipment. Its current page lists programs in Waite Park, Duluth, and Rochester and posts dated availability information for each location. It accepts and redistributes items such as walkers, rollators, manual wheelchairs, shower chairs, toilet risers, tub rails, canes, bed rails, grab bars, transfer boards, and other assistive technology.
Pickup: The program currently lists walk-in donation and equipment pickup hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. It asks people to call ahead for specialized or heavy items.
Safety: ConnectAbility says reused items go through a cleaning process, but it does not provide warranties. It does not accept CPAP machines, nebulizers, diabetes supplies, one-time-use supplies, stained or broken items, braces, boots, wraps, or slings.
Aging Pathways and Disability Hub
Minnesota Aging Pathways is a free statewide service for older Minnesotans and caregivers. It can connect callers with local services, housing support, Medicare counseling, long-term care planning, and community resources. Call 1-800-333-2433.
Disability Hub MN is a free statewide resource network for people with disabilities and those who support them. It can help when equipment is only one part of a larger question about benefits, housing, home support, or disability services.
For regional aging contacts, use the GFS Minnesota aging agencies directory.
Minnesota Aging and Disability Resources
The official equipment-loan directory lets you search many Minnesota programs and filter by county, payment type, and organization type. It is especially useful outside the Twin Cities because smaller programs may serve only one county, school district, or regional service area.
Local Minnesota Loan Closets Worth Checking
Local closets can be the fastest source for basic equipment, but stock changes quickly. Call or email before traveling. Ask whether the program serves your address, whether someone else can pick up the item, and whether there is a deposit, fee, or return date.
| Program | Area | Equipment or rule |
|---|---|---|
| AEOA Medical Loan Closet | Arrowhead region | Wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes, walkers, crutches, canes, and toilet seats; one-time fee varies by item. |
| Normandale Center | Edina and nearby counties | Loans up to three months as supply allows; wheelchairs, walkers, shower equipment, knee scooters, and bathroom safety items. |
| Options IRCIL | Northwest Minnesota | First come, first served; power chair or scooter users who are new to the device need a medical provider statement. |
| Nicollet County | Nicollet County | Most items up to six months; wheelchairs and knee scooters up to three months; refundable deposits apply if returned on time and in good condition. |
| Koochiching Aging Options | Koochiching County | Free loans may include walkers, bath seats, canes, crutches, and other non-disposable equipment. |
| Barnesville Area Helpers | Barnesville School District | Medical equipment may be loaned or provided through the local program; call for current availability and payment rules. |
| ALS Independence & Mobility | People living with ALS | Free equipment can include mobility aids, bathroom items, transfer devices, bed accessories, and portable ramps, subject to availability. |
Nicollet County currently says it is not accepting equipment donations. That does not stop its loan program, but it is a good example of why donation rules should be checked before loading equipment into a vehicle.
If a closet is too far away or has no stock, ask the local aging office, county public health department, senior center, independent living center, hospital social worker, or faith community for another nearby lead. The GFS Minnesota benefits portals guide can help when the equipment problem is tied to a larger benefits application.
What Equipment Is Easier or Harder to Find?
| Equipment | Typical search | Ask before pickup | Best backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canes and walkers | Often easier | Height, brakes, rubber tips, weight rating | Local closet or STAR |
| Manual wheelchairs | Often available, sizes vary | Seat width, footrests, brakes, weight rating | Therapist and supplier |
| Bathroom safety items | Often available | Width, legs, handles, bathroom fit | ConnectAbility or local closet |
| Hospital beds and lifts | Harder | Delivery, setup, sling, training, return rules | Doctor, therapist, supplier |
| Power chairs and scooters | Harder | Battery, charger, controls, safe-use evaluation | Insurance or disability program |
| CPAP or oxygen | Poor fit for most closets | Do not substitute used respiratory equipment without clinical guidance | Doctor, supplier, health plan |
Phone-access equipment is different from ordinary DME. Minnesota MN ACT provides adaptive phone devices to qualifying Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a physical or speech disability that makes standard phone use difficult. If the problem is phone access, this may be a better route than a DME closet.
Keep Community Loans Separate From Insurance
A loan closet and an insurance benefit solve different problems. A community program can provide a fast bridge. Insurance is the better path when equipment is medically necessary and will be used long term.
Minnesota Health Care Programs has detailed equipment, supply, order, and authorization rules. Its current equipment resources include provider guidance and authorization forms for items such as mobility devices, enclosed medical beds, and bath or toileting equipment. The exact rule depends on the item and the member’s coverage.
For Medicare, the official DME coverage page says Part B covers medically necessary DME when a doctor or other health care provider orders it for use in the home. Covered categories include walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, CPAP therapy, and oxygen equipment, but how Medicare pays can differ by item.
Practical rule: If the equipment is needed after discharge, look for a safe temporary loan while the treating provider and supplier work on the permanent order. Do not delay an insurance order because a borrowed item may be available.
If equipment is only one part of a larger home-care problem, the GFS Minnesota caregiver guide explains caregiver payment paths. If the home itself is no longer workable, compare Minnesota housing help and assisted living options.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Write down the exact need. Include the item, size, weight capacity, and date needed.
- Call before driving. Ask whether the item is physically in stock now and whether the program serves the person’s address.
- Ask about the rules. Find out if it is a loan, gift, rental, or reuse program. Ask about deposit, fee, return date, and late-return rules.
- Confirm pickup. Ask whether a caregiver can pick it up and what ID or contact information is needed.
- Check fit and condition. Ask about brakes, footrests, tires, rubber tips, chargers, slings, missing parts, and cleaning.
- Start the permanent path. If the need will last, contact the doctor, therapist, supplier, or plan the same day.
What to Gather Before Calling
- County, ZIP code, and nearest larger town
- Exact item needed
- Height, weight, wheelchair seat width, and weight-capacity needs
- Surgery or discharge date
- Whether the need is short term or long term
- Whether someone can pick up, load, and later return the item
- Vehicle type for a wheelchair, bed, lift, or scooter
- Doctor or therapist recommendations
- Insurance type and whether an order is already pending
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Minnesota Aging Pathways
“I am helping an older adult in [county]. We need a [item] by [date]. Can you help me find medical equipment loan closets, donated equipment programs, or nearby county options?”
Local loan closet
“Do you have a [item] available now? What size or weight limit is it? Can a caregiver pick it up? Is there a fee, deposit, return date, or county rule?”
Hospital discharge planner
“Before discharge, can you write down the exact equipment name, size, and safety needs? Can you also send any needed order to the correct supplier?”
Health plan or supplier
“The doctor is ordering a [item]. Which suppliers can I use? Does this item need authorization, an exam, or other paperwork before it can be provided?”
Reality Checks
- Inventory changes: A program can be open but still have no wheelchair or shower chair available today.
- Service areas matter: Some closets serve only one county, city, school district, or disability group.
- Free may still mean pickup: Many programs do not deliver.
- Used equipment still needs fit: A wheelchair or walker can be unsafe if it is the wrong size.
- Specialty items take more work: Power mobility, patient lifts, hospital beds, respiratory equipment, and bariatric items often need a clinician or supplier.
- Loan rules matter: Deposits and return dates can affect whether you get money back or can keep borrowing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Driving without calling: Online listings do not prove the item is in stock.
- Asking for “medical equipment” only: Say the exact item, size, and deadline.
- Taking the wrong size: A too-wide, too-narrow, or poorly adjusted device can create another safety problem.
- Waiting on one system: Use a community search and the insurance path at the same time when the need will last.
- Assuming every donation is accepted: Programs may reject respiratory items, one-time-use supplies, broken equipment, or bulky items.
- Missing a return rule: Put the due date on a calendar and ask what happens if recovery takes longer.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed?
If the first place says no, ask why. The answer usually points to the next move.
- No stock: Ask when to call back and which nearby program may have the item.
- Wrong service area: Ask for the correct county, city, aging office, or independent living center.
- Wrong item: Ask the therapist whether a safe temporary substitute exists.
- Need permanent equipment: Keep the insurance order moving while searching for a bridge loan.
- No pickup help: Ask family, a neighbor, home care agency, hospital social worker, senior center, or faith group about transportation.
- Unsafe at home: Tell the treating team that the person cannot safely transfer, walk, bathe, or toilet without the equipment.
Resumen en Español
Minnesota no tiene un solo almacén estatal con todo el equipo médico. Para un préstamo de tecnología de apoyo, empiece con Minnesota STAR. Para equipo donado como andadores, sillas de ruedas, sillas de ducha o elevadores de inodoro, revise ConnectAbility y los programas locales.
Para una persona mayor, llame a Minnesota Aging Pathways al 1-800-333-2433. Para ayuda relacionada con discapacidad, llame a Disability Hub MN al 1-866-333-2466. Antes de recoger un equipo, pregunte por el tamaño, límite de peso, depósito, fecha de devolución y si un cuidador puede recogerlo.
Si el equipo se necesita por mucho tiempo, pida al médico o terapeuta que inicie también el proceso con Medicare, Medical Assistance o el plan de salud. Un préstamo comunitario puede ayudar mientras llega una solución permanente.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Minnesota have one statewide free DME warehouse?
No. Minnesota uses a mix of statewide assistive technology services, donated equipment programs, county resources, nonprofits, and local loan closets. Start with STAR, Aging Pathways, ConnectAbility, or the state resource directory.
What is the best first call for an older adult?
Call Minnesota Aging Pathways at 1-800-333-2433. Give the specialist the ZIP code, exact item, and deadline, and ask for nearby loan closets or donated-equipment programs.
How long can I borrow from Minnesota STAR?
STAR lists short-term loans of 45 days or less. It also has a limited number of open-ended loans for used equipment that must be returned when the borrower no longer needs it.
Can a caregiver pick up equipment?
Sometimes. Rules vary by program. Nicollet County, for example, says another person can pick up equipment if they provide the borrower’s name and contact information. Always ask before traveling.
Do community loan closets require a prescription?
Many basic community loan programs do not require a prescription, but rules vary. Insurance-covered equipment and some power mobility devices may require an order, medical documentation, or a provider statement.
Where should I look for CPAP or oxygen equipment?
Use the doctor, respiratory supplier, Medicare, Medical Assistance, or health plan route. These items involve medical oversight, servicing, and coverage rules and are generally a poor fit for ordinary community loan closets.
Where can I donate used medical equipment?
Call the program first. ConnectAbility, AEOA, Koochiching Aging Options, Options IRCIL, and other reuse programs may accept clean working equipment, but each program has its own rules. Nicollet County currently says it is not accepting equipment donations.
About This Guide
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: 28 September 2026 · Next review: 28 January 2027
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