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Wisconsin medical equipment help
Last updated: 15 September 2026
Wisconsin has several ways to find borrowed, reused, donated, or insurance-covered medical equipment. There is no single state warehouse that promises every item. The fastest route usually depends on where you live, what equipment you need, and whether the need is temporary or long term.
Need equipment for a safe discharge?
If a hospital or rehabilitation facility plans to send someone home without equipment needed for safe transfers, toileting, walking, or bathing, tell the discharge planner immediately. Ask what must be in the home before discharge and whether a supplier, short-term rental, home health team, or community loan can cover the gap.
If you also face an urgent bill, housing, food, or utility problem, see our Wisconsin emergency assistance guide.
Start here
- Find your local ADRC. Wisconsin DHS lists ADRCs in all 72 counties and Tribal ADRS contacts. Call 844-947-2372 or use the ADRC contact list.
- Search statewide listings. Check Wisconsin AT4All for items offered for loan, demonstration, giveaway, or sale. Each listing program sets its own rules.
- Call before pickup. Ask for the exact item, size, weight capacity, pickup location, loan period, and required paperwork. If the first program is out of stock, ask for the next closest option.
Quick reference: which route fits?
| Situation | Best first route | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic item needed soon | Local ADRC plus loan closets | Exact item, size, stock, pickup, return date | Inventory can change the same day. |
| Disability-related device or trial | WisTech and an independent living center | Device loan, demonstration, reuse, funding options | Service areas and device types vary. |
| Clinically necessary long-term DME | Clinician and health plan | Order, supplier, authorization, rental or purchase rules | Insurance rules are separate from community closets. |
| No nearby program found | 211 Wisconsin | Loan closets, charities, transportation, nearby counties | 211 gives referrals; the provider confirms stock. |
What Has Changed
Wisconsin DHS updated its statewide ADRC contact information in July 2026, and the statewide locator remains 844-947-2372. ForwardHealth DME handbook pages were also current in September 2026 and make clear that Medicaid equipment rules can include prior authorization, medical-necessity review, and purchase-versus-rental decisions. This guide now separates those insurance rules more clearly from community loan closets and reuse programs.
Local programs also continue to use different eligibility and inventory rules. Current examples include Wisconsin-resident access in Kenosha, county-only access in Chippewa and Douglas counties, and an uninsured or underinsured rule in Marinette County.
Statewide starting points
ADRCs and Tribal ADRS programs
Wisconsin Aging and Disability Resource Centers help older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and families connect with local services. The DHS contact directory lists ADRCs across all 72 counties and Tribal aging and disability resource specialists where available.
Best use: Ask for medical equipment loan closets, reuse programs, transportation help, caregiver support, and local organizations that serve your home address. An ADRC may not own the equipment itself. Its value is knowing which local program is most likely to help.
Our Wisconsin aging agencies guide explains how the broader aging network fits together.
WisTech and Wisconsin AT4All
WisTech is Wisconsin’s assistive technology program. Its services include device demonstration, device loan, reutilization, exchange, training, and financing information. Wisconsin AT4All is the searchable listing system used by participating programs and individuals.
The device loan program describes short-term loans for trying equipment, temporary accommodation, or use while another solution is arranged. The statewide inventory is linked through AT4All.
Reality check: An AT4All listing is not a statewide promise. The AT4All site says each participating agency, business, or lending program has its own criteria. Contact the listing holder before making travel plans.
Independent living centers
Wisconsin has eight independent living centers. DHS says they are part of the WisTech device-loan and device-demonstration network. Use the ILC county list to find the center serving your area.
This route is especially useful for disability-related equipment, trying a device before purchase, or finding a broader assistive-technology solution. Our Wisconsin disability help guide covers other disability services that may matter at the same time.
211 Wisconsin
If the statewide disability and aging routes do not locate an item, contact 211 Wisconsin. Dial 211 or 1-877-947-2211. Texting is available in participating regions by sending your ZIP code to 898211.
Ask for medical equipment loan closets, churches, community groups, transportation help, and nearby county programs. If you need broader nonprofit support, our Wisconsin charity resources guide may provide more starting points.
Local loan closets and reuse programs
The examples below show how different Wisconsin programs can be. They are not a complete statewide directory. Always call before going because inventory, hours, and eligibility can change.
| Program | Who it serves | Examples of help | How to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha County closet | Adults who are Wisconsin residents; the county asks people enrolled in Family Care, IRIS, PACE, or Partnership to use their program first. | Wheelchairs, walkers, shower-safety equipment, incontinence products, and other donated items when available. | Call 262-605-6646. Press 2 for the loan closet team; press 4 if loading or unloading help is needed. |
| Chippewa County loan | Chippewa County residents. | Public Health lends wheelchairs; Rutledge Charities lists bath benches, canes, commodes, crutches, knee scooters, toilet risers, and walkers. | Call 715-726-7900 for wheelchairs or 715-723-6618 for other listed equipment. |
| Marinette County closet | Marinette County residents who are uninsured or underinsured. | Wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, tub seats, tub benches, commodes, canes, and toilet safety frames. | Call 715-732-3850 or 1-888-442-3267. |
| Douglas County Care Closet | Douglas County residents only. | Free wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, commodes, shower equipment, bed rails, and some unopened supplies when available. | Call 715-394-3611. Items cannot be reserved, so confirm current availability before visiting. |
| CORE lending closet | Northern Bayfield County area. | Canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes, raised toilet seats, bed rails, and other donated equipment. | Call 715-779-3457, extension 3, and leave a message for the equipment team. |
A program outside your county may have different residency rules. Ask your ADRC whether a neighboring program accepts out-of-county borrowers before you drive there.
When Medicare or Wisconsin Medicaid may be the better route
A community loan closet is often fastest for a basic temporary item. Insurance may be better when equipment is medically necessary, long term, custom, powered, respiratory, or needs professional fitting and service.
Original Medicare
Medicare Part B can cover medically necessary durable medical equipment ordered by a doctor or other health care provider for use in the home. Medicare’s DME coverage page lists items such as walkers, hospital beds, wheelchairs, scooters, and oxygen equipment.
After the Part B deductible, Medicare says you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Equipment may be rented, purchased, or handled under other payment rules depending on the item. Ask whether the supplier is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment before you agree to the equipment.
Power wheelchairs and scooters have extra requirements. Medicare’s mobility-device rules explain that medically necessary power devices require a face-to-face examination and written prescription, and some models require prior authorization.
Wisconsin Medicaid and ForwardHealth
ForwardHealth uses detailed DME coverage rules. Some items require prior authorization, while other rules depend on the item, procedure code, quantity, medical necessity, and member situation. The current DME Index resources are the best place for providers to check item-specific requirements.
ForwardHealth’s authorization overview says prior authorization is required for certain listed items, some requests beyond DME Index limits, early replacements, certain higher-cost requests, and items not listed in the index. Its purchase or rental guidance also explains that ForwardHealth can determine whether approved equipment is purchased or rented.
If you use Wisconsin benefit portals for other health or income programs, our Wisconsin benefits portals guide explains ACCESS and MyACCESS. Do not assume an online benefits account replaces the provider authorization process for DME.
Which equipment is a good loan-closet fit?
| Equipment | Loan-closet fit | Check before use | Use clinician first when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canes, walkers, rollators | Often a good temporary fit | Height, tips, brakes, frame, weight capacity | Balance, gait, or long-term fitting is uncertain |
| Manual wheelchairs, transport chairs | Often available locally | Seat width, brakes, footrests, cushion, weight capacity | Daily long-term mobility or positioning is involved |
| Commodes, toilet risers, shower chairs | Common in many closets | Width, stability, rubber feet, cracks, bathroom space | Transfers are unsafe or special weight capacity is needed |
| Power mobility, lifts, respiratory equipment | Usually a weaker fit | Power, battery, accessories, service, safe operation | The device is medically necessary, complex, or needs training |
If the need is hearing-related, use our hearing aid help guide. If you need disposable products rather than reusable equipment, our incontinence supplies help guide covers a different set of programs.
How community equipment loans usually work
Loan closets are local programs, so there is no single Wisconsin rule for every site. Most ask you to contact them first. They may ask where the person lives, what equipment is needed, whether the need is temporary, and who will pick it up.
Some programs set a loan period. Chippewa County currently lists loans up to six months for its wheelchair and other equipment programs. Other programs allow items to stay out while they are needed or set their own return date. Do not assume one program’s rule applies statewide.
Community equipment is often donated. That means the exact brand, size, condition, and accessories may vary. Ask whether the item has been cleaned and checked, whether all necessary parts are included, and what you should do if it becomes unsafe or stops working.
Do not trade safety for a free item
Do not use a walker with worn tips, a wheelchair with unreliable brakes, a cracked shower chair, or equipment that does not fit the user. For a transfer device, power chair, hospital bed, pressure-relief surface, or respiratory device, get clinical guidance when safe use is not obvious.
How to start without wasting time
- Name the exact need. Say “front-wheeled walker,” “manual wheelchair,” “bedside commode,” or another specific item if you know it.
- Know the size details. Have the user’s height, weight, seat-width needs, and any high-weight-capacity needs ready.
- Give the deadline. Tell the caller if the item is needed for surgery recovery, discharge, a fall risk, or bathroom safety.
- Run two tracks. Look for a short-term community item while the clinician or health plan handles a long-term covered device.
- Ask about pickup. Many closets do not deliver. Confirm who can load, transport, and return the item.
- Widen the search. If your county has nothing, ask the ADRC or 211 about nearby counties and regional independent living centers.
What to have ready
- Home ZIP code and county
- Exact equipment or plain-language description
- User height and weight
- Seat width or weight-capacity needs when relevant
- Discharge, surgery, or need-by date
- Doctor, therapist, or care-team contact if involved
- Insurance type, if any
- Whether a caregiver can pick up the item
- Vehicle space for transport
- Questions about return, cleaning, and repair
If the equipment problem is really a home-access problem, such as steps, a narrow doorway, or the need for a ramp, see our Wisconsin home repair help guide.
Phone scripts
ADRC or 211
“I need help finding a [item] for an older adult in [county or ZIP code]. We need it by [date] because of [discharge, surgery, fall risk, or bathroom safety]. Which loan closets or reuse programs serve this address?”
Loan closet
“Do you have a [item] available now for someone who lives in [county or ZIP code]? What size and weight capacity is it? How long can we keep it, and what do we need to bring for pickup?”
Hospital discharge
“My family member cannot safely go home without [item]. We are checking loan closets, but we do not have the right item yet. What safe bridge plan, supplier order, rental, or home-health support can be arranged before discharge?”
Equipment donation
“I have a used [item] that is clean and working. Are you accepting this type now? What parts must be included, and do I need an appointment before bringing it in?”
Reality checks
- Stock is not guaranteed. Donation-based inventories can change hour by hour.
- County rules differ. A nearby closet may limit service to residents of one county or service area.
- “Free” may mean borrowed. Some items must be returned. Others may be given away. Ask which applies.
- Not every item is appropriate. Respiratory equipment, powered devices, specialty seating, lifts, and other complex DME may need professional setup or insurance handling.
- Pickup can be the barrier. Ask about transportation before accepting an item several counties away.
- Insurance can still matter. A temporary closet item should not stop a medically necessary long-term DME request.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Driving to a loan closet without confirming stock
- Asking only for “a wheelchair” without size details
- Waiting until the day of discharge to start searching
- Assuming a county program serves all Wisconsin residents
- Assuming a free closet replaces a health-plan supplier
- Accepting damaged or badly fitting equipment
- Forgetting to ask about the return deadline
- Donating equipment without checking acceptance rules first
If you are denied, delayed, or out of options
If a loan closet is out of stock, ask for the next closest program rather than ending the search. Call the ADRC again with the result and ask whether a neighboring county, independent living center, church, senior center, or reuse group may have the item.
If insurance denies equipment, ask for the denial reason in writing and what appeal or prior-authorization step is available. For Medicare, ask the clinician and supplier whether missing documentation caused the problem. For Wisconsin Medicaid, the provider should check the current ForwardHealth DME rules for the item.
If the need cannot wait, ask whether a short-term rental or safe substitute is possible. Do not use equipment that is unsafe simply because it is free.
Backup options
- ForwardHealth donation directory: The statewide DME donation directory lists organizations by county and says to call ahead for current hours and acceptance.
- WisLoan: WisTech’s assistive technology loans can be a financing route when a free item will not meet the need. It is a repayable loan, not free assistance. Confirm current terms through the regional independent living center.
- National backup: Our national DME loan guide explains other ways to search when Wisconsin local stock is unavailable.
Resumen en español
Wisconsin no tiene un solo almacén estatal que garantice equipo médico gratis. Para un andador, silla de ruedas manual, silla de ducha o cómoda, empiece con el ADRC de su condado, Wisconsin AT4All y el centro regional de vida independiente. Llame antes de ir porque el inventario cambia.
Puede llamar al localizador estatal del ADRC al 844-947-2372. También puede llamar al 211 o al 1-877-947-2211 para pedir recursos locales. Si el equipo afecta la respiración, transferencias seguras, movilidad eléctrica o una necesidad médica compleja, llame también al médico, terapeuta o plan de salud.
Medicare y Medicaid tienen reglas diferentes de un préstamo comunitario. Un equipo prestado puede ayudar por poco tiempo, pero no sustituye una orden médica, autorización o proveedor cuando esos pasos son necesarios.
Frequently asked questions
Does Wisconsin have one statewide free DME warehouse?
No. Wisconsin has statewide entry points such as ADRCs, WisTech, Wisconsin AT4All, and independent living centers, but the actual equipment often comes from a local or regional program with its own inventory and rules.
What is the best first call for a Wisconsin senior?
Call the statewide ADRC locator at 844-947-2372 and ask for equipment loan closets serving the person’s county or Tribal area. If you know the exact item, search Wisconsin AT4All at the same time.
Can I get a wheelchair or walker the same day?
Sometimes, but there is no guarantee. Same-day help depends on current inventory, service area, pickup availability, and whether the item safely fits the user. Call before driving.
Do I need a prescription for a loan closet?
Community loan-closet rules vary. A basic borrowed item may not require the same medical order used for insurance coverage. Medicare and Wisconsin Medicaid can require provider orders, documentation, or authorization for covered DME, so keep the insurance process separate from the community-loan search.
Where can I donate used medical equipment?
Use the ForwardHealth DME donation directory or call a local loan closet. Always contact the organization first because it may refuse certain powered, respiratory, damaged, fabric-covered, opened, or hard-to-sanitize items.
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: 15 September 2026 · Next review: 15 January 2027
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