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Wyoming medical equipment guide
Last updated: 26 September 2026
If you need a walker, wheelchair, shower chair, commode, ramp, or another assistive device, Wyoming has several places to try. There is no single statewide closet with every item. The fastest plan is to search statewide resources and local loan closets at the same time.
Bottom Line
Start with the Wyoming ADRC at 211 or 1-888-425-7138, then check the WATR device loan page and nearby loan closets. Call before driving. Stock, loan length, age rules, and pickup rules vary by program.
Need Equipment for a Safe Discharge?
If a person cannot safely walk, transfer, bathe, use the toilet, or enter the home, tell the hospital or clinic before discharge. Ask the discharge planner, nurse, therapist, or doctor to write down the exact equipment needed and help check insurance and suppliers. Call 911 for a medical emergency.
Start Here
- Call ADRC/211. Ask the navigator to search your county and nearby counties. The ADRC information page says navigators are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Check WATR and AT4ALL. WATR lends assistive technology to Wyoming residents, and Wyoming AT4ALL shows items available for short-term loan or reuse.
- Call local closets. Ask about the exact item, size, weight limit, pickup, return date, deposit, and whether someone else may pick it up.
For broader state help, use the Wyoming senior benefits guide. For local aging offices and senior centers, see Wyoming aging agencies.
Quick Routes by Need
| Need | Best first route | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Walker, cane, commode, shower chair | ADRC/211 plus a local closet | Basic items move in and out quickly. Call before pickup. |
| Short-term assistive technology | WATR and AT4ALL | WATR staff review requests and inventory can limit availability. |
| Temporary home ramp | WyRamp through WATR | The current agreement is for temporary use while you pursue a permanent ramp. |
| Long-term wheelchair, bed, lift, oxygen equipment | Doctor plus enrolled supplier | Medical coverage rules and prior authorization may apply. |
| Equipment purchase when free options fail | Coverage, reuse, then WYTAP | WYTAP is financing, not a grant or free equipment program. |
If disability needs go beyond equipment, the Wyoming disability help guide explains other state and community routes.
What Has Changed
- WATR’s current device page now gives clearer reuse rules. It says reusable assistive technology may be listed at low or no cost and an individual may request up to five reuse devices per month.
- The WATR device-loan agreement revised December 1, 2025 confirms the six-week loan period, minimum two-business-day processing time, possible four-week extension, and borrower-paid return shipping.
- The current WyRamp agreement still describes a temporary ramp that should be returned within four months. The current WATR device page tells readers to contact WATR for WyRamp information, and the current loan agreement does not name the older three-city limit. This guide now tells readers to ask WATR directly about availability for their location.
- Several local listings were rechecked against current county, senior-center, and ADRC records, including 2026 updates for Laramie County and Campbell County.
Statewide Loan and Reuse Options
Wyoming is large and rural, so it helps to use a statewide search before making a long drive. The medical equipment directory lists senior centers and other organizations connected with medical equipment or supplies. An ADRC navigator can also help search by county.
WATR device loans
Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources (WATR), part of the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, lends assistive technology for daily living, communication, learning, vision, hearing, and other access needs. The current WATR loan agreement says any Wyoming resident may borrow devices for a six-week loan period. Families, assistants, service providers, therapists, educators, and employers may also use the program for a Wyoming resident’s needs.
Requests may be made through AT4ALL, by phone, email, or in person. WATR asks borrowers to allow at least two business days for processing before pickup or shipment. A four-week extension may be requested before the due date, but WATR may deny it if the device is needed by someone else.
Reality check: WATR loans devices at no charge, but the borrower is responsible for getting the item back on time. If an item is shipped back, the borrower pays return shipping. The agreement requires shipping insurance for devices worth more than $100.
WATR reuse through AT4ALL
WATR also runs a statewide reuse and exchange program. Its current device page says Wyoming residents, agencies, service providers, and family members can use AT4ALL to find lightly used assistive technology that may be available at low or no cost. WATR says accepted reuse items may not be resold for profit and limits an individual to five requested reuse devices per month.
WyRamp temporary ramps
If a person cannot safely enter the home, ask WATR about the WyRamp Project. The current WyRamp agreement says the ramp is temporary while the borrower actively pursues a permanent solution. It says the temporary ramp should be collected within four months and may be loaned free of charge. Call WATR at 307-766-6187 or 1-888-989-9463 to ask whether a ramp is available for your location.
If a permanent ramp or other home change is needed, the Wyoming home repair guide covers longer-term repair and accessibility routes.
Local Wyoming Loan Closets
Local closets can be faster than insurance for a short-term need, but inventory is never guaranteed. The entries below were rechecked against current official or high-trust program pages. Call first and ask whether the item is available today.
| Area | Program | What the source says | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | Laramie County Senior Center | The ADRC lists Medical Equipment/Supplies among its services. Ask what equipment help is available now. | 307-635-2435 |
| Laramie | Eppson loan closet | Free to anyone in Albany County, first come and first served. The center lists wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, shower equipment, commodes, knee scooters, bed rails, and more. | 307-745-5116 |
| Gillette | Campbell County loan closet | Seniors and the general public may borrow donated walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, crutches, and other equipment while supplies last. | 307-686-0804 |
| Casper | BIAW loan closet | Donated DME is provided at no cost for short-term use. Call first to check stock. The program commonly mentions walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches. | 307-473-1767 |
| Wheatland | Platte County loan closet | For Platte County residents regardless of income. Most items may be borrowed up to three months; wheelchairs are limited to one month. | 307-322-2540 |
| Torrington | Torrington Senior Center | The ADRC lists a loan closet with adaptive technology equipment. The center’s listed senior services are for people age 60 and older. | 307-532-2796 |
| Green River | Golden Hour Senior Center | The ADRC says the center has a medical loan closet. Call to see whether the needed item is available. | 307-872-3223 |
| Pinedale | Rendezvous Pointe | Its lending closet is for temporary need and lists walkers, canes, crutches, bath benches, toilet risers, wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and ramps. | 307-367-2881 |
This is not a complete statewide inventory. If your town is not shown, call ADRC/211 and ask for your county plus nearby counties. For urgent problems beyond equipment, the Wyoming emergency help guide covers other crisis routes.
How Loan Closets Usually Work
There is no single Wyoming rule for every local closet. A center may set its own age, county, deposit, return, pickup, cleaning, and donation rules. A device that is available today may be gone tomorrow.
What is easier to borrow
Basic reusable equipment is usually the best fit for a community closet: walkers, rollators, canes, crutches, manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, shower chairs, bath benches, bedside commodes, raised toilet seats, grabber tools, knee scooters, and similar items.
What is harder to borrow
Hospital beds, patient lifts, oxygen supplies, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) supplies, custom wheelchairs, complex power chairs, bariatric equipment, specialty braces, and repair parts are harder to find. Some items need medical fitting, a prescription, supplier support, or a coverage decision.
Safety warning: Borrowed equipment must fit the person and the home. Ask a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or doctor for help with high-risk items such as lifts, transfer devices, ramps, power chairs, and bath equipment. Do not use a device with damaged brakes, loose parts, missing footrests, a cracked frame, or a missing charger.
Coverage and Financing Backups
A loan closet is useful for a short bridge, but it may not be the right answer for long-term equipment. If the need will last, ask the doctor or therapist whether the item should be ordered through health coverage.
| Route | What it may help with | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare DME coverage | Medically necessary home-use equipment ordered by a provider, such as walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, and other covered DME. | Under Original Medicare, after the Part B deductible, the usual cost is 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Coverage and rental rules vary by item. |
| Wyoming Medicaid DME | Covered medical equipment for eligible Medicaid members when program rules are met. | Prior authorization and documentation rules can apply. Ask the DME supplier to check the current Medicaid manual for the item. |
| WYTAP brochure | Assistive technology purchases, mobility devices, hearing aids, home modifications, vehicle modifications, and other approved technology. | This is a loan. The current brochure lists $500 to $40,000, repayment up to 70 months, and a rate of Wall Street Journal Prime plus 1% at approval. Credit review applies. |
If Medicare costs are a problem, the Wyoming Medicare Savings guide explains QMB, SLMB, QI, and related help. For state application routes, use the Wyoming benefits portals guide.
Reality check: Medicare Advantage plans can have their own network and cost rules. Medicaid coverage can depend on the item, medical need, documentation, and authorization. Ask the plan or supplier what is covered before accepting a bill.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Name the exact item. Say “front-wheel walker,” “bedside commode,” or “transport wheelchair,” not just “medical equipment.”
- Write down fit details. Have height, weight, seat width, doorway width, and any bariatric need.
- Set a deadline. Tell the program if the item is needed before surgery, discharge, travel, or a caregiver change.
- Call more than one route. Use ADRC, WATR, and the nearest closet at the same time.
- Ask about pickup. Many closets do not deliver. Ask whether a family member may pick up the item.
- Plan for long-term use. If the need is more than a few weeks, start coverage or purchase steps while using the temporary item.
Information to gather
- Person’s name, age, town, county, and phone number.
- Exact equipment type and why it is needed.
- Height, weight, and special fit needs.
- How soon the item is needed and for how long.
- Whether the person can pick it up or needs a helper.
- Physical street address if WATR shipping may be used.
- Doctor, therapist, or discharge planner contact if medical safety is involved.
If a family member is providing ongoing care, the Wyoming caregiver pay guide may help with the larger care plan.
Phone Scripts
These short scripts help you ask for the right information without claiming that you qualify.
ADRC or 211
“Hello. I am helping an older adult in [town and county]. We need a [exact item] by [date]. Can you check medical equipment loan closets in our county and nearby counties? Please include senior centers, public health offices, disability groups, and reuse programs.”
WATR
“Hello. I need to ask about a short-term device loan or reuse item. The person lives in Wyoming and needs [item]. Can you tell me whether it is listed, how to request it, and whether pickup or shipping is possible?”
Local loan closet
“Hello. Do you have a [exact item] available this week? The person is [height and weight] and needs it for [reason]. What is the return date, is there a fee or deposit, and can a family member pick it up?”
Doctor or discharge staff
“The person cannot safely go home without [item]. Please write down the exact equipment needed and help us check insurance, an enrolled DME supplier, WATR, and local loan closets before discharge.”
Donation and Reuse Tips
Wyoming loan closets depend on donations, but every program has different acceptance rules. Call before donating. Some programs cannot accept equipment that is broken, incomplete, hard to sanitize, or unsafe.
- Keep all parts together. Chargers, footrests, baskets, bolts, cushions, and rubber tips can determine whether an item is usable.
- Clean the item first. The receiving program may still inspect or sanitize it.
- Describe damage honestly. Mention weak brakes, bent frames, missing parts, battery problems, or torn surfaces.
- Ask before transporting large items. Hospital beds and power equipment may be refused even when basic walkers are accepted.
For a broader national overview of reuse and borrowing, see the free medical equipment guide.
Pickup, Cleaning, and Safety
Pickup: Assume you may need to collect the item yourself unless the program says otherwise. Ask whether the device folds, how heavy it is, and what vehicle is needed.
Shipping: WATR may ship some devices. Its current agreement says the borrower is responsible for return shipping, and equipment worth more than $100 must be insured for return shipment.
Cleaning: Ask how the item was cleaned and whether the program recommends another cleaning step at home. Let surfaces dry fully before use.
Fit: Check brakes, wheels, tips, seat width, footrests, weight rating, charger, and frame condition. A loaner that does not fit can create a fall or transfer risk.
Reality Checks
- Inventory changes fast. A wheelchair available in the morning may be gone later that day.
- Distance matters. A rural household may need to check another county or arrange pickup with family.
- Rules differ. Age, residency, loan length, deposits, donations, and holds are not statewide rules.
- Used equipment has limits. A borrowed device may not be professionally fitted or guaranteed for the person’s exact need.
- Free is not always permanent. A short-term loan can bridge a gap while insurance or a purchase is being arranged.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until the day of discharge to start calling.
- Asking for “a chair” instead of the exact equipment.
- Forgetting height, weight, width, or weight-limit needs.
- Driving to a closet without checking stock.
- Taking equipment without checking brakes, tips, parts, and charger.
- Missing a return date or assuming an extension is automatic.
- Stopping after one program says no.
Denied, Delayed, or No Stock?
If a closet has no item, ask when to call back and whether staff know a nearby closet. If a coverage request is denied, ask for the denial in writing and ask the doctor or supplier whether missing records can be corrected or whether there is an appeal route.
For disability-related barriers, Wyoming Independent Living has centers in Casper, Cheyenne, Gillette, Laramie, and Sheridan, while WSIL services provide information, referral, peer support, and independent-living help in western Wyoming. These centers do not guarantee equipment, but they can help people work through access barriers and local options.
Do not wait on one path if the person is unsafe. Ask the doctor, therapist, ADRC navigator, and local senior center to work in parallel.
Resumen en Español
En Wyoming no existe un solo almacén estatal con todo tipo de equipo médico. Para empezar, llame al ADRC de Wyoming al 211 o al 1-888-425-7138. Pida que busquen en su condado y en condados cercanos. También puede llamar a WATR al 307-766-6187 o al 1-888-989-9463 para preguntar por préstamos de tecnología asistiva, equipos reutilizados o una rampa temporal.
Llame antes de viajar. Pregunte si el equipo está disponible, cuánto tiempo puede usarlo, si hay depósito o costo, y si un familiar puede recogerlo. Si la persona no puede caminar, bañarse, trasladarse o entrar a la casa con seguridad, hable con un médico, enfermera o terapeuta antes de usar equipo prestado.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wyoming have one statewide DME loan closet?
No. Wyoming has statewide referral, assistive-technology loan, and reuse tools, but basic DME is also handled by local senior centers, county programs, nonprofits, and community loan closets.
What is the fastest first call for a walker or wheelchair?
Call Wyoming ADRC at 211 or 1-888-425-7138 and ask for your county plus nearby counties. At the same time, check WATR and call the closest local loan closet.
How long are WATR device loans?
The current WATR agreement lists a six-week loan period. A borrower may request a four-week extension before the due date, but WATR does not guarantee approval.
Can WATR ship a device?
Some WATR loans may be shipped. The borrower is responsible for return shipping, and the current agreement requires return-shipping insurance for devices worth more than $100.
Are local loan closets only for low-income seniors?
Not always. Rules differ by program. Platte County says its loan closet is for county residents regardless of income, Eppson serves anyone in Albany County, and other programs may use age or local-service rules.
What should I do if no closet has the item?
Ask ADRC to widen the search, check AT4ALL, contact an independent-living center, and ask the doctor about an enrolled DME supplier if the need will last. Use several routes at the same time when safety is involved.
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: 26 September 2026 · Next review: 26 January 2027
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