Workers CompMarch 24, 2026

How to Get the Crutches You Want Through Workers' Comp

Most people on workers' comp assume they take whatever crutches the clinic hands them, and that is that. The reality is you have more say than you think, and a little know-how can be the difference between three weeks on painful aluminum crutches and getting a pair that actually fits your recovery. Here is how the system really works and how to steer it.

It all comes down to the prescription

The prescription is the lever that moves everything. Your treating physician decides what is medically necessary, and the insurer authorizes based on that. So the goal is simple: get the right crutch written into the prescription with the medical reason attached.

Step 1: Know who your treating physician is, and that you may get to choose

In many states you have the right to choose your own treating physician rather than defaulting to the company doctor. Rules vary, and sometimes you have to use an approved provider network or panel first, but the point stands: the doctor writing your prescription is not always out of your hands. If you have a say, choose a provider who will actually listen to how you are getting around day to day.

Step 2: Ask for the model by name, with a reason

Doctors write what is in front of them. If you ask for "crutches," you get the default. If you ask for a forearm crutch and give the medical reason, that is usually what gets written. Reasons that hold up well: avoiding the armpit nerve pressure that causes crutch palsy, reducing shoulder and wrist strain over a multi-week recovery, and staying stable on uneven ground at home and on the way back to work.

A script you can use

Step 3: Understand the two coverage lanes

There are two lanes. The standard forearm crutch is reliably covered. Premium or spring-assisted models can carry limited or special coverage, may need that extra medical-necessity documentation, or may not be paid automatically. We break the exact billing codes down in the next post. Knowing which lane you are in tells you how hard you need to push on documentation.

Step 4: The buy-now-and-get-reimbursed route

If authorization is dragging and you need to move, there is a clean path. Some insurers will have you purchase the equipment up front and reimburse you once an adjuster agrees it was necessary. Buy the pair you want, keep the prescription and the itemized receipt, and submit them. This is often the fastest way to end up with the crutch you actually want in hand.

Step 5: If you get a no, you have options

DME requests can go through utilization review, and a denial is not always the end. You can ask your treating physician to submit a stronger request for authorization, escalate through your nurse case manager if one is assigned, or use the appeal process your state provides. Many states also let a supplier dispute an unpaid bill directly.

The bottom line

You are not stuck with whatever lands in your lap. Get the right physician, ask for the right model with the right reason, and use the reimbursement route if you need speed. The in-Motion Pro forearm crutch from Millennial Medical is an easy one to ask for: it bills under the standard forearm code, it removes the armpit pressure that causes nerve injury, and its spring assist takes the load off your shoulders and wrists over the long haul.

Next step: take the script above to your provider, or get the in-Motion Pro forearm crutch and submit it for reimbursement.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose my own crutches on workers' comp? Largely through your prescription. You can request a specific model, and in many states choose the treating physician who writes it.

Can I pick my own doctor for a work injury? In many states yes, sometimes after using an approved panel or network first. Check your state's rules.

How do I get an upgraded crutch approved? Have the physician document the specific medical reason the upgraded feature is necessary, or buy it and submit for reimbursement.

What if the insurer denies the crutches I want? Ask for stronger documentation and a new request for authorization, use your nurse case manager, or file an appeal through your state's process.

Is it faster to buy the crutches myself? Often yes. Keep the prescription and itemized receipt and submit them for reimbursement.

Coverage note: Workers' compensation rules, including your right to choose a provider and the appeal process, vary by state and by your specific 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.

Workers Comp