Yes, Medicare Part B covers walking canes as durable medical equipment (DME) if they are deemed medically necessary by your doctor. This means that Medicare will pay for a portion of the cost of your cane, and you will be responsible for paying a copayment or coinsurance.
Here are the conditions that must be met for a walking cane to be covered by Medicare:
· The cane must be prescribed by a doctor who is enrolled in Medicare.
· The cane must be used to improve your mobility and/or balance.
· The cane must be purchased from a Medicare-approved supplier.
If you meet all of these conditions, Medicare will cover 80% of the allowable cost of your cane, and you will be responsible for paying 20% plus any remaining Part B deductible. For example, if the allowable cost of your cane is $50, Medicare will pay $40 and you will pay $10 plus any remaining Part B deductible.
You can also rent a walking cane from a Medicare-approved supplier instead of buying one. Medicare will cover the rental cost of a cane for up to three months. After three months, you will be responsible for paying the full rental cost.
To get a walking cane covered by Medicare, you will need to follow these steps:
1. Get a prescription for a cane from your doctor.
2. Take your prescription to a Medicare-approved supplier.
3. The supplier will bill Medicare for the cost of your cane.
You can find a list of Medicare-approved suppliers in your area by visiting the Medicare website or calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
