Community Chat

[151949]

They will cover the basic walker but not the fancier sit down ones -maybe they will reimburse her for part of that. When i had my knee surgery I needed to buy a walker and found one at the thrift store the hospital volunteers run for only about $20 - and it was a sit down one.

[bells4me]

Our thrift store has more walkers than I can count. Some look brand new. My daughter had surgery & I got her a walker, cane and shower chair for less than $20.

[pinkskates4]

Yes. Although walkers are not very expensive.

I was annoyed that I bought one for my mother and then the AL facility got her one thru Medicare that was actually not as nice as the one I'd bought. Mine cost less than $100. The one they got her - which did not have a seat - was over twice that. So I believe Medicare is getting ripped off.

[CouponQueen]

I see them in Walgreens for $89 on sale often..they have the seat and basket with brakes on the handle bars..

Without the right diagnosis they won't cover it. I'd go pick her up one and surprise her!

[PuppyBreath]

Yes.

[glb613]

On 1/3/2014 lulu2 said:

They will almost always pay for a standard walker. As for one with a seat, I'm not so sure.

Medicare pays for a standard walker or a standard walker with wheels. The "fancy" ones they don't. As posted, it has to be ordered by a doctor with a proper diagnosis.

[glb613]

On 1/3/2014 lulu2 said:

They will almost always pay for a standard walker. As for one with a seat, I'm not so sure.

Medicare pays for a standard walker or a standard walker with wheels. The "fancy" ones they don't. As posted, it has to be ordered by a doctor with a proper diagnosis.

[pinkskates4]

On 1/3/2014 glb613 said:

On 1/3/2014 lulu2 said:

They will almost always pay for a standard walker. As for one with a seat, I'm not so sure.

Medicare pays for a standard walker or a standard walker with wheels. The "fancy" ones they don't. As posted, it has to be ordered by a doctor with a proper diagnosis.

And yet the fancy ones cost much less - at least in my mother's case.

[kdgn]

I wanted a walker for my mom's stability when walking. Her doctor had not ordered one for her yet but I started investigating the different types/brands. At a private pharmacy I found a decent selection and talked to the pharmacy manager. This was well over 6 years ago so please keep that in mind.

He stated that Medicare would pay to rent one and Mom would have a monthly co-pay. He stated that the walkers I was looking at would not be covered. They were the 'fancy' ones. I knew she would be using one long-term so I did some math and decided that in the long run it would be cheaper (and easier!) if I just bought the one I wanted for her.

The Medicare walkers are the basic aluminum ones-either without any wheels or the wheels on the front legs only. For ease of use most use tennis balls so that the walker slides easily.

I bought her one with a nice padded seat and hand brakes for safety. I can't recommend one with brakes highly enough.

The pharmacy was able to replace the wheels, $10 each, when they wore out and they do wear out. By the time I factored in mom's rental co-pay for the actual 4 years she used it, it was a lot cheaper to buy a good walker than what I feel are the awkward and unsteady aluminum ones.

If you choose to go the private pay route, make sure she's there for a trial run. Some walkers are heavier than others, more difficult to use. Some fold up easily for storage/transport, others don't. Mom's was adjustable for height-I think they all are. The man at the pharmacy adjusted that for me.

[LilacTree]

Whoever pays for it, get a sturdy walker. The one I received at the hospital falls over all the time. Almost three weeks ago, it fell on the top of my right foot. The x-ray showed no broken bones, but a hematoma developed as big as a golf ball and it's still there. I understand they take a long time to heal. I haven't been able to wear anything but a sock on that foot. I am going to call the doctor Monday to tell her it is still not healed and see if she wants me to come in. Sometimes it has to be surgically removed.

It has fallen over twice since then, but fortunately not on any of my body parts. As soon as I can afford it, I am going to get a sturdier walker. My walker is not safe.