Health and Wellness: Medicare Coverage for Medical Equipment and Mobility Aids

When you're dealing with chronic pain, limited mobility, or recovery after surgery, health and wellness, the practical steps you take to maintain or restore your physical well-being. Also known as medical self-care, it's not just about vitamins and yoga—it's about having the right tools to move, sit, and sleep without constant discomfort. For many people, especially seniors or those with conditions like arthritis, sciatica, or spinal injuries, true health and wellness means access to durable medical equipment, devices prescribed by a doctor to help with daily living. This includes things like lift chairs, hospital beds, pressure-relieving cushions, and adjustable mattresses—items that aren’t luxury extras, but medical necessities.

Medicare doesn’t cover everything, but it does cover a surprising range of equipment if you meet specific medical criteria. For example, a lift chair, a recliner with a motorized lift function to help users stand safely can be covered if your doctor confirms you have trouble rising from a regular chair due to a documented condition. Same goes for hospital beds, adjustable beds designed for medical use, not just comfort—they’re approved when you need to elevate your legs, reduce pressure sores, or manage breathing issues. And it’s not just about beds and chairs. Roho cushions, specialized wheelchair seat pads that prevent pressure ulcers and sciatica cushions, ergonomic supports that relieve nerve pressure while sitting are also eligible if your provider writes a clear prescription and explains why they’re medically required.

The key isn’t just owning the equipment—it’s proving you need it. That means a doctor’s note, proper diagnosis codes, and sometimes a face-to-face evaluation. Many people miss out because they assume Medicare won’t pay, or they don’t know what to ask for. But with the right paperwork, you could get up to 80% of the cost covered. Below, you’ll find real, step-by-step guides on how to get approved for exactly these items—whether it’s a Sleep Number bed for back pain, a recliner for post-op recovery, or a cushion that finally lets you sit through dinner without agony. No fluff. Just what works.