Paying
Does Medicare cover crutches?
How crutches are covered under Medicare Part B as durable medical equipment, what the 80/20 split actually means, the written order requirement, and why the supplier you pick decides whether you are covered at all.
Contents 6 sections
Crutches sit in the Medicare category called durable medical equipment, or DME: items that can withstand repeated use, serve a medical purpose, and are appropriate for use in your home. That places them under Part B, alongside walkers, wheelchairs, and hospital beds.
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What you pay
The structure is the same as most Part B services. You meet the annual Part B deductible, then Medicare pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for the item and you are responsible for the other 20%. If you have a Medigap policy, it often picks up that 20%.
The approved amount is set by fee schedule and varies by state and year, so a national dollar figure would be misleading. Medicare publishes current amounts, and a supplier can quote you the number for your area before you commit.
The two conditions people miss
1. The written order has to come first
A clinician who has examined you needs to document that the crutches are medically necessary and issue an order. Buying a pair at a pharmacy and then asking Medicare to reimburse you generally fails, because there was no enrolled supplier billing against an order.
2. The supplier has to be enrolled
This is the one that decides everything. Medicare only pays suppliers enrolled in the program, and for most DME the supplier also has to be accredited and bonded. Some suppliers go further and accept assignment, meaning they agree to the Medicare-approved amount as full payment; those cost you the least.
Every business in this directory holds a National Provider Identifier, which is a prerequisite for billing Medicare, but holding an NPI is not the same as being an actively enrolled DMEPOS supplier that accepts assignment. Ask directly: "Are you enrolled in Medicare for DME, and do you accept assignment?"
The codes, if you need them
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| E0110 | Forearm crutches, pair, with tips and handgrips |
| E0111 | Forearm crutch, each |
| E0112 | Underarm crutches, wood, pair |
| E0114 | Underarm crutches, other than wood, pair |
| E0116 | Underarm crutch, other than wood, each |
| E0117 | Underarm crutch, articulating, spring assisted, each |
Quoting the code when you call a supplier saves a lot of back and forth, especially for forearm crutches, which front-desk staff sometimes assume are not covered.
When it is not worth claiming
A basic pair of aluminum underarm crutches retails for $25 to $45. Between the deductible, the 20% coinsurance, the clinician visit for the order, and the trip to an enrolled supplier, many people spend more time than the claim is worth. Coverage matters much more for the expensive end: articulating crutches, custom-fitted forearm crutches, and equipment you will use for years.
Medicaid, Advantage, and private insurance
State Medicaid programs cover crutches but set their own rules, prior authorization requirements, and preferred supplier lists. Medicare Advantage plans must match Original Medicare's coverage floor but run their own networks. Commercial plans vary widely. In all three cases the same two questions apply: is there a written order, and is this supplier in network for DME?
Verify before you rely on it. Coverage rules and fee schedules change annually. Confirm current details at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. 172,579 suppliers are listed in this directory, but we cannot see any individual supplier's current enrollment status.
Common questions
- Does Medicare pay for crutches?
- Yes. Medicare Part B covers crutches as durable medical equipment when a treating clinician documents that they are medically necessary for use in your home. After your Part B deductible, Medicare generally pays 80% of the approved amount and you pay the remaining 20%.
- Do I need a prescription for Medicare to cover crutches?
- You need a written order from the clinician treating you, and the order has to be in place before the supplier bills. Buying crutches first and asking for reimbursement afterwards usually does not work.
- Can I buy crutches anywhere and have Medicare pay?
- No. The supplier must be enrolled in Medicare and, in most cases, accredited and holding a surety bond. Buying from a retailer that is not enrolled means paying out of pocket, which is often still cheaper for a basic pair.
- Does Medicare cover forearm crutches?
- Forearm crutches have their own code, E0110 for a pair, and are covered on the same durable medical equipment terms as underarm crutches. Coverage depends on documented medical necessity, not on which style you prefer.
- Does Medicare Advantage work the same way?
- Advantage plans must cover at least what Original Medicare covers, but they set their own networks, prior authorization rules, and cost sharing. Check your plan before choosing a supplier.
How we researched this guide
Written and maintained by the CrutchDirectory editorial team at NLH Enterprises LLC. Coverage rules, billing codes and equipment definitions are taken from primary government sources, linked below. Prices are typical US retail ranges observed at national retailers and change often, so treat them as a bracket rather than a quote.
- Medicare.gov: Crutches coverage The Part B benefit for crutches and the conditions attached to it
- Medicare.gov: Durable medical equipment coverage The DME rules the crutch benefit sits inside, including the enrolled-supplier requirement
- CMS: DMEPOS fee schedule The published allowable amounts the 80/20 split is calculated against
- CMS: Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System The E-code definitions that decide which crutch is billed as what
Not medical advice. These guides cover products, prices and coverage mechanics. They are not written or reviewed by a clinician and do not diagnose or treat anything. Which mobility aid suits your injury, and what weight you may put through it, are questions for the clinician treating you.