Equipment

Wheelchairs

Here are the kinds of manual wheelchair, what insurance usually covers, and what counts as an upgrade. Our team confirms everything with your insurance before anything is ordered.

Smiling woman propelling a lightweight manual wheelchair on a garden path

Standard folding manual wheelchair with full armrests and footrests

Usually covered

Standard manual wheelchair

Folding frame that fits in most car trunks
Footrests swing away for transfers
For getting around your home when a cane or walker isn't enough

Your usual share of the costWhen your plan's requirements are met

Lightweight manual wheelchair with spoked wheels

Covered for some needs

Lightweight or high-strength lightweight

Lighter frame that's easier to push yourself
Easier to lift into the car
Usually covered when your doctor's notes show why a standard chair won't work, for example you can push a lighter chair but not a standard one

Usually covered when your records show the needOtherwise it's an upgrade. Call for pricing: (561) 245-5444. Upgrades may cost more. We explain any cost and get your written OK before ordering.

Usually covered

Transport chair

Small rear wheels: a helper pushes it
Very light, folds small for the car
Not made for pushing yourself

Usually covered in place of a standard wheelchairWhen the basic wheelchair criteria are met and someone is available to push it.

Usually covered

Heavy-duty or extra heavy-duty

Reinforced frame and wider seat sizes
Heavy-duty: over 250 pounds, or severe spasticity
Extra heavy-duty: over 300 pounds

Usually covered when your weight or condition requires itYour weight is noted in your doctor's records.

Badges show how Original Medicare usually treats each kind. Florida Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and other plans have their own rules; we check yours before anything is ordered.

Prices aren't listed online because your cost depends on your insurance plan. Call (561) 245-5444 and we'll tell you in writing what you may owe before anything is ordered, based on what your insurance tells us.

For doctors' offices: standard K0001 · lightweight K0003 · high-strength lightweight K0004 · transport chair E1037–E1039 (covered as an alternative to K0001 when criteria A–E and G are met) · heavy duty K0006 · extra heavy duty K0007. K0002–K0007 need a face-to-face encounter and written order prior to delivery from 10/28/2026.

New since Oct 28, 2026: for a lightweight, high-strength lightweight or heavy-duty manual wheelchair, Medicare needs an in-person visit with your doctor in the 6 months before the order, and the signed order before the chair is delivered. Standard wheelchairs and transport chairs aren't on that list, but your doctor's notes still need to show why you need one. We tell your doctor's office exactly what's needed.

Also for getting around

Power wheelchairA motorized chair for people who can't use a manual chair safely.

CushionsSeat cushions for comfort, positioning or protecting the skin.

Need tilt, recline, power or a custom-fitted chair?That's complex rehab, and it isn't chosen from a list: your evaluation decides the right setup. Our ATP and your therapist work it out with you.Wheelchair & Mobility: complex rehab →

Not sure which one is right?

Tell us how things are going at home and we'll help you choose. No pressure to upgrade.

Check coverage Call (561) 245-5444

Plain-language summary of the Medicare rule

What Medicare usually requires for a wheelchair

So everyone knows what's needed before the order is sent. Florida Medicaid and other plans have their own rules; we check yours.

Have Florida Medicaid, a health plan or Medicare Advantage? See what your plan usually needs.Check coverage for your plan

For patients and families

Your doctor has seen you about how you get around, and noted that moving around your home is hard even with a cane or walker.
Your home has room to use the wheelchair (doorways, hallways, bathroom).
You, or someone helping you, can use the chair safely.
For a lightweight or heavy-duty manual chair (since Oct 28, 2026): an in-person visit with your doctor in the 6 months before the order, and a signed order before delivery.
For a power wheelchair: an in-person visit with your doctor, a written order before delivery, and often a therapist evaluation. We also check your home.

You don't have to collect any of this yourself. We request it from your doctor.

For providers and case managers

Standard written order: patient name or Medicare number, order date, item description, quantity, practitioner name or NPI, and practitioner signature.
Notes on the mobility limitation, the daily activities in the home it affects, and why a cane or walker is not enough.
Notes on the home's accessibility and the patient's ability to use or propel the chair.
Lightweight, high-strength lightweight and heavy-duty manual bases, from Oct 28, 2026: face-to-face encounter within 6 months before the order, and the written order before delivery. Notes must state the specific criterion (self-propulsion, seat size and hours per day, or weight).
Power wheelchairs: face-to-face examination, written order before delivery, and the specialty evaluation (PT/OT) where the policy requires it. Many power wheelchair codes need prior authorization.

How to send a referral →

Source: LCD L33788 Manual Wheelchair Bases · Article A52497 · F2F / written-order list, Oct 28, 2026 · LCD L33789 Power Mobility Devices · Article A52498. Summary reviewed Oct 2026. Coverage depends on your plan and medical records; we verify every case. A summary, not the full rule. Meeting these points does not guarantee payment.