The primary funding sources for scooters are private medical insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.  Worker’s Compensation insurance may be another funding source if the scooter is needed as the result of a workplace injury.  Insurance plans will only pay for scooters and scooter accessories insofar as they are deemed medically necessary and medical necessity can be an issue in paying for scooters.  Some insurance plans, including Medicare, may deem scooters not medically necessary for individuals who can walk a short distance without assistance.  Issues of medical necessity may also exclude coverage of some optional features that would be beneficial to the individual but which are not deemed necessary.  There may be other limitations on coverage as well, such as frequency of replacement.

Many States offer an Assistive Technology Alternative Financing Program that help people with disabilities to qualify for and receive low cost loans to purchase assistive products or services.  A list of these State projects is available from RESNA  

Each State also offers a State Assistive Technology Project that supports consumer-driven, statewide, technology-related assistance for individuals of all ages with disabilities. There are 56 projects (one in each State and in D.C. and the U.S. territories).  A list of these projects can be found on the ABLEDATA 

For more information on funding sources, go now to ABLEDATA Informed Consumer's Guide to Funding Assistive Technology 

Source: ABLEDATA Fact Sheet on Scooters