Does Workers' Comp Cover Crutches? Your 2026 Guide to Getting Them Paid For

If you have been hurt on the job and you need crutches to get around, here is the short answer: yes. Crutches are standard covered durable medical equipment under workers' compensation, and in most cases you pay nothing for them. The harder questions are which crutches you can get, how to make sure they are authorized, and what to do if you would rather not settle for the basic pair the clinic hands you. This guide walks through all of it.

Yes, workers' comp covers crutches

Crutches sit squarely inside the category of durable medical equipment, or DME, that workers' compensation is designed to pay for. DME is equipment that serves a medical purpose, holds up to repeated use, and helps a part of your body work or keeps your condition from getting worse. Crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs are the textbook examples. When your injury is work related and a treating provider says you need crutches, the cost is the insurer's responsibility, not yours.

What "covered" really means: usually $0 out of pocket

This is where workers' comp is different from regular health insurance and from Medicare. There is no annual deductible to meet and no 20 percent coinsurance hanging over you. In most states a provider or supplier is not even permitted to bill you directly for covered equipment tied to an accepted claim. The supplier bills the workers' comp insurer, and you walk away owing nothing.

How the process works

Getting crutches covered usually follows four steps:

1. Report and document the injury. Your claim has to be open and the injury accepted as work related.
2. Your treating physician writes the order. The prescription should state that crutches are medically necessary for your work injury, and ideally specify the type.
3. The equipment is authorized. Many insurers run DME through a quick medical-necessity review or a nurse case manager before approving it.
4. You receive the crutches. The supplier bills the insurer directly.

You may have more say than you think

Two things are worth knowing. First, in many states you have the right to choose your own treating physician rather than being stuck with the company doctor, and the treating physician is the one who controls the prescription. Second, if waiting on an authorized supplier is slowing you down, there is a legitimate self-purchase route: some insurers will have you buy the equipment up front and then reimburse you once an adjuster agrees it was needed. If you go that way, keep the prescription and the itemized receipt.

Coverage can last as long as the injury does

For longer recoveries and permanent injuries, workers' comp medical benefits, including equipment, can continue for as long as the treatment stays reasonable and necessary. In practice that means worn-out crutches can be replaced rather than coming out of your own pocket later.

The one catch: not every crutch is treated the same

Here is the part most guides skip. Workers' comp fee schedules generally pay for the standard forearm crutch code without much friction, but premium or spring-assisted models can carry limited or special coverage and may not be paid automatically. We break the billing codes down in a separate post in this series. The practical takeaway is simple: the forearm model is the reliable covered path, and there are legitimate ways to get an upgraded model if you want one.

Why the crutches you choose actually matter

It is tempting to treat crutches as a throwaway item, but the pair you use for the next several weeks has real consequences. Cheap aluminum underarm crutches are uncomfortable, and used over weeks they can cause a genuine secondary injury called crutch palsy, a nerve problem that can stack a second injury on top of the one you are already healing. A better-designed crutch also keeps you more mobile, and staying mobile is part of what helps you recover and get back to work faster. We cover both of those in detail later in the series.

The smarter covered choice

The in-Motion Pro forearm crutch from Millennial Medical is a strong fit for the covered path. It bills under the standard forearm crutch code, it removes the underarm pressure that causes nerve problems, and its spring assist reduces the shoulder, elbow, and wrist fatigue that wears people down over a long recovery. At 1.8 pounds each with a 350 pound weight capacity, articulating tips that hold their grip on uneven ground, and a frame that breaks down for a truck or a locker, it is built for real life on and off the job site, not just the clinic hallway. The in-Motion was developed through 34 clinical studies and is trusted by physical therapists.

Next step: ask your provider to prescribe the in-Motion Pro forearm crutch for your work injury, or get a pair today and submit it for reimbursement.

Frequently asked questions

Does workers' comp pay for crutches?
Yes. Crutches are covered durable medical equipment when prescribed for a work-related injury, usually at no cost to you.

Do I have to pay anything for crutches through workers' comp?
Usually nothing. There is no deductible or coinsurance, and in most states providers cannot bill you for covered equipment on an accepted claim.

Can I pick my own crutches?
Your prescription drives it. You often can choose your treating physician, and you can ask for a specific model. Standard forearm crutches are reliably covered, while premium models may need extra documentation or a self-purchase-and-reimbursement route.

What if I already bought crutches myself?
Save the prescription and the itemized receipt and submit them for reimbursement. Many insurers reimburse equipment they agree was medically necessary.

Will workers' comp replace my crutches if they wear out?
For ongoing injuries, yes, as long as continued use stays medically necessary.

Coverage note: Workers' compensation rules vary by state and by the specifics of your claim and insurer. This article is general education, not legal, medical, or billing advice. Confirm details with your treating provider, your claims adjuster, or your state workers' compensation board.

This guide is part of our Workers' Comp Crutch Coverage hub, where you'll find every option for getting crutches covered.