How to Get Crutches Through Medicare: A Step-by-Step Guide

A clear, four-step process for getting crutches covered by Medicare, including the words to use with your provider and what to say when you want a specific model.

Getting crutches through Medicare is straightforward once you know the order of operations. The mistakes people make are usually procedural, not clinical: using a supplier that isn't enrolled in Medicare, getting a vague order that defaults to the cheapest available crutch, or not knowing that a premium model may be accessible through a simple upgrade conversation.

Step 1: See a Medicare-enrolled provider and get the order

Start with your treating provider. To be covered, your crutches need a prescription or written order for use in your home. The provider must be enrolled in Medicare. If your regular doctor is already your Medicare provider, this is the same appointment where they assess your injury or condition.

Step 2: Make sure the order specifies the right code

This is the step that determines what you actually receive. If the order just says crutches, the supplier fills it with whatever standard crutch they have. Forearm crutches and underarm crutches have different HCPCS codes, and the code on the order is what the supplier uses to bill Medicare and pull inventory.

Step 3: Use a Medicare-enrolled supplier that accepts assignment

Before you take the crutches, confirm two things with the supplier: that they are enrolled in Medicare, and that they accept assignment on this item. Accepting assignment means they agree to Medicare's approved amount as full payment for their portion, so you are only responsible for your 20 percent coinsurance and any unmet deductible, not whatever they might otherwise charge above Medicare's rate.

Step 4: The upgrade conversation

What if you want a premium crutch, like a spring-assisted or specially designed model, that goes beyond the base Medicare-covered item? The answer is an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage, or ABN. The supplier bills Medicare for the covered base item, you pay the difference between the covered amount and the premium model's price. You get the better crutch, Medicare covers its portion of the base, and you pay the upgrade delta.

In plain terms: Medicare pays toward the standard covered crutch, and you pay the difference for the better model. For items where the upgrade delta is modest, this is a reasonable path to getting a genuinely better crutch at a fraction of the full retail price.

What to do if your claim is denied

If Medicare denies coverage, you have the right to appeal, and the denial notice explains how. A denial is also worth reviewing carefully: it may indicate a documentation gap that can be corrected with an updated order or a letter of medical necessity from your provider, rather than a substantive coverage exclusion.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get crutches through Medicare?

Get an order from a Medicare-enrolled provider, make sure it specifies the type of crutch you want, and fill it with a Medicare-enrolled supplier that accepts assignment.

Can I ask for a specific type of crutch through Medicare?

Yes. Ask your provider to specify the crutch type and code on the order, and use a supplier that offers that model. For premium models, ask about the ABN upgrade pathway.

What happens if my crutches claim is denied?

You can appeal using the instructions on your denial notice. If you also have Medicaid, the Medicare denial can open the door to Medicaid coverage.

This article is general education, not a guarantee of coverage. Medicare and Medicaid rules change and vary by plan, state, and region. Always confirm coverage and costs with your plan and your supplier before you receive equipment.

Be kind. Be generous. Always pay it forward.

This guide is part of our Medicare and Medicaid Crutch Hub, where you'll find every option for getting crutches covered.