Follow
Share

Mom, who is 88, recently broke her tibia in a fall and would like to have a rollator that has hand brakes. The one she has now has brakes if you sit on the seat, but then you can not move the thing without standing up. The medical equipment store wants to sell her a rollator that you can make more narrow in order to get through any sized door without losing the stability, but it costs $500!! Not gonna' happen!

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

31 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
1 2
Who paid for her last rollator?

You can ask her doctor to write a script for a dollar as Durable Medical ewuipment, but I'm not sure if they will pay for a specific model.

Check Costco!
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
I do know that they won't pay for more than one in a five-year period. Shop around though; prices vary.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
I just Googled. Wal-Mart has a wide variety under 200. I would have the doc prescribe a PT or IT eval to see what type is best and to teach her how to use it. 
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
$500 for a rollator?? That should come with a driver.

Mother bought hers at Walgreens. It's fine, not super heavy duty, but I am sure she paid less than $200 for it. She uses it when she has to take her 2 loads of laundry (per week) the 50 feet to the laundry room. That's about all it's good for, for her. She thinks it makes her look "old". I think it's better than the walker, b/c when we're out, she always has a place to sit. They often have a little compartment under the seat, along with a basket on the front. I personally prefer she walk with this, as her posture is MUCH better with this than the walker, which she hunches along in. The rollater helps her to remember to stand taller. JMO.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
My mom had a prescription for a walker. We went to a medical supply store. She chose a rollator that was more expensive than the standard walker Medicare pays for. She paid the difference.
I agree they will pay for only one walker, wheelchair, hospital bed etc. ever so many years. 
I’m not sure a doctor will write rollator on the prescription. I would check with the medical supply store on how the prescription needs to read in order for the medical supply to process without a pushback from Medicare. They could tell you what the final price would be after the payment from Medicare. 
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
My dad had a prescription from his primary care doctor for his rollator. He either paid a small amount or nothing, I don’t recall. He has both Medicare and his insurance through retirement, so between them most things are covered. It was nowhere near $500 I do know that. Unasked for advice, make sure it’s adjusted high enough to avoid the stooped over posture the elderly often want to adopt with one. We had this done while being “trained” on it in the store
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
You might also check second hand stores and estate sales. Rollators are pretty common if you don't mind gently used.
Helpful Answer (9)
Report
Last time I checked for an elderly person, Medicare would pay only what a plain walker would cost which I believe was around 60.00. The patient would have to pay the difference for the more expensive ones.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
Thanks, everyone! I will check WalMart and Costco. She does not need anything fancy, but would like to have hand-braking capability. When the walking boot comes off and rehab is over, she will most likely go back to her cane. She really does have a tendency to stoop when using the rollator, even though she was "trained" in the store to keep the rollator close to her while walking and look up and ahead instead of down.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
I would look at price on Amazon. We went to a supply place and looked at a transport wheel chair. When we found the one we liked, I purchased it for less than half their price on Amazon.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
When I bought my Dad his rollator you'd think I had bought him a Shelby Mustang. He loved it. I liked that idea it had a seat, and a basket so when he walked down his driveway he could throw the mail into the basket.

When he moved to senior living, he would be looking at the other walkers that people had, and apparently this be a guy thing, the male residents comparing their rollators.... you'd think they were admiring 1950 hot rods :)

Oh, I never bothered with Medicare for payment, nor ask my Dad's doctor for a script. I had too much on my plate to fuss with it.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
I have been told that Medicare will pay for a rollator. I would ask your doctor for a prescription. See what her supplimental pays for durable equipment. Take the info with you to a store that works with Medicare and see if there is any cost. At that time, you can compare prices and purchase the walker at the cheapest cost.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
I bought Moms rollator used on Craig’s list. It was pink and she called it her Caddy.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
I just bought a rollator with seat for my mother from Walmart for $55. That particular model has a lot of good reviews. Took me about 5 minutes to put it together. Very quickly and very easily. It's light weight, easy to lift, even with one hand. Here is a link.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Medline-Steel-Rollator-Walker-Burgundy-350-lbs-Capacity/37617768
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
My DH was given one (hand-me-down) after a friend's father passed away. He loves it!

I read that Medicare will provide a rollator IF the doctor prescribes it.

I didn't bother and went to Amazon and bought a nifty red one for $55 so I have it in the car for when we go to the doctor. It's a Drive Medical 4-Wheel Rollator and it does the job nicely. Walmart carries the same one - but I bought at Amazon to save on the tax.
www.amazon.com/Drive-Medical-Rollator-Removable-Support/dp/B005S1CHKC/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1524222003&sr=1-4&keywords=rollator%2Bwalker%2Bwith%2Bseat&th=1
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
My mom had Medicare and a supplement insurance plan .she was sent to PT and they wrote a prescription which then the insurance paid for the whole thing a quite nice one actually
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Everything well covered above so I will comment on Medicare coverage. Their language is that they pay for the "least expensive medical necessity" so you get the cheapest thing they can find unless you cover the difference. In 2013 a new government program changed what they pay stores to about 50% of previous (for the same Medicare products). This caused about 40% of the Home Medical Equipment stores to go out of business and the rest are struggling. This also causes the stores to buy the cheapest possible equipment from suppliers so manufacturers end up getting cheaper/flimsier equipment made overseas. At some point it will likely come down to two choices- free Medicare "junk" or having to pay out of pocket for better quality items (and eliminating the government paperwork). At least that gives you the choice of getting superior/better quality equipment that suits your needs (which matches many of the above comments). Just wanted to let you know what is going on behind the scenes.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
I got an AWESOME one from a garage sale. I paid all of $25.00 for the rollator and it was large. My husband was 6'4 and about 280. This thing had a large seat and a sturdy strap around the back of the seat so he could not go back too far. It even had a little metal piece near the base that when you came to a curb you could step on the metal piece and the walker would lift up more easily. Never did have occasion to use that as he would not have understood what it was and how to use it!
The color was ugly but for $25.00 it was a great deal. He used it for almost 3 years until he stopped walking.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
I purchased on my own, a Drive Medical Nitro Euro Style Red Rollator Walker, Red. They are on Amazon for $195.00. I love it. As long as you don't have the basket full, all you need to do to get through narrow doors is pull up on the handle. I decided if I had to have one, I wanted something that looked different from the standard "I got this through medicare" thing (prideful person that I am). I took it to Wild Bill in Riverside CA and he pin-striped it for me. For those of you who care, it is REAL pin-striping, not tape. It has large wheels so it goes over uneven surfaces better. The handles and back are adjustable so you can adjust the back for comfort and the handles for height. It is easy for me to put into the back of my magnum. The only thing, when I am wheeling it along when it is locked closed, I have to lift up the front end a little bit.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Just MHO, but Medicare will only pay for the very basics. I had to buy a Rollator for Hubby. All they provided was a bare bones walker. Same with his hospital bed. The thing has been junk since we got it, and I don’t think it was new. You are much better off buying what you want.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
You can also check with places like The Arthritis Foundation. In my town, they have a ton of equipment that they lend for 6 months at zero dollars! All you have to do is call to renew for another 6 months for as long as it’s needed.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
I echo Amazon. My mom had "misused" her last one -- sitting on it and pushing it backwards, so I had to buy a new one. Medicare indeed only pays on one every 5 yrs. I got a great one for $70 or less on Amazon. If you're a prime member, shipping is free.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
Amazon has a rollator with the type of break you said you wanted, a seat and a storage basket, for under $200. We got it for my MIL but she never used it so I gave it to my mom who has COPD and she loves & says she gets a lot of compliments!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
Just want to add my 2 cents of nursing advice here. Rolling walkers can be useful for people with less significant balance issues. I do not like them at all for anyone who has already had a fall. They require strength and balance to use safely and many people just do not realize they are just not strong enough for them. I can no longer count the number of head injuries I have taken care of from people sitting on them and pushing them backward. Truthfully, it is downright horrifying and has given me a whole new appreciation for standard 4 point walkers.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
Medicare will not fully cover a Rollator. They consider a Rollator the "Cadillac" of walkers. These were their words. They cover a traditional walker and a front wheel walker. Your mother's physician does need to write a prescription for one. It's very important to teach your mother, or if she has a Physical Therapist they will teach her, to use the brakes. I found a Rollator at a once a year sale at Aldi's for 59.95. They don't carry alot when they have this sale, maybe 4 or 5. The quality is that of any other Rollator. It's excellent.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Yes, but you must get the RX script from your loved one's doctor to say it's medically necessary in order for it to be covered by Medicare. I learned the hard way when I listened to my mother's 96 year old cousin and bought it on Amazon on cousin's recommendation. Should have known better to get the RX from the doctor.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Here you can rent that sort of equipment for a small amount from the red cross - call them - there are charities that lend second hand ones for times like your mom is going through
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
My mom had knee replacement surgery. Rehab facility wrote Rx for a rollator and Medicare paid for it. There are so many of these things in the marketplace. I’d suggest looking online and/or visiting a local store. Prices will vary depending each brand/model. HTH
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
if the rollator has a seat and the walker does not, then your best way is to go to a medical distribution facility in your area. talk with the folks that will actually handle and bill the order. they will give you details (ask them to write it out) as to what your doctor needs to specify is necessary in his rx request so that it can be billed properly under mediare. i did this with a local medical supply store, but mom's ability to walk deteriorated b4 i could get the paperwork finished by doctor. also, the suggestion to let a p/t person observe and recommend is a beyond great idea. while mom was in rehab, they tried to get her to use a rollator and she just could not adapt to it as well as the walker. ok, turn that mixer on, insert your wisdom and perspective, and "boom" there is your answer!! May the peace of our Lord be with you.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
Wow! Such good advice and experience here! I appreciate everyone's input. I took the rented rollator back to the store today and looked at the one that supposedly costs $500. Come to find out, it is only $389! What a bargain. Not! Anyway, it was really nice, lightweight, easily adjustable and had wider wheels. The salesperson today really knew a lot about all her products and I can see where this would be a wonderful option, just not for us. At some point if Mom decides a rollator is what she wants instead of a cane (or it becomes medically necessary) I might consider this model (it is an Escape) as it is really nice. For now, I don't want to spend all that money for something to just collect dust in the corner! The salesperson talked about quality and durability versus junk. If anything goes wrong with this expensive model, the manufacturer will give you a whole new rollator! Even if you run over it with your car. Nice!

I will check out all the links provided. For now, she will continue to use the hand-me-down rollator which, I think, is the first one ever made!
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
1 2
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

Recent Questions


Popular Questions


Related Questions

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter