If you’re interested in renting or purchasing assistive devices, talk to your doctor, physical therapist, or occupational therapist first. Your best bet for finding affordable assistance is through your healthcare providers.
Unfortunately, not all these devices are given through a prescription, and it’s often up to the individual (or their family) to find and purchase the equipment.
Check with your insurance company on what they will reimburse before you make a purchase. “While Medicare and most other major insurers typically offer reimbursement for durable medical equipment, coverage for assistive devices isn’t always as robust,” says Brittany Ferri, PhD, an occupational therapist in private practice in Rochester, New York.
If your insurer cannot cover the cost of a device, they might be able to connect you with an organization that can. “Some insurance companies will offer information to give people a head start in finding these devices if they don’t offer coverage themselves,” says Dr. Ferri.
If you cannot afford to pay for an assistive device out of pocket, charitable organizations may be able to help:
- Lending libraries at churches or hospitals
- Nonprofit organizations that gather used assistive devices and durable medical equipment, including MedShare, the Senior Resource Association, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and local advocacy groups
- State-level assistive technology programs, which offer device loans and training
- National diagnosis-specific organizations that offer grant programs for assistive devices
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