At Just Us Retirement, we see this all the time:
A client finishes physical therapy or recovers from surgery and thinks:
“Well, I’m done with this wheelchair, walker, or hospital bed. I’ll donate it or give it to someone who needs it.”
It’s a generous instinct — but giving equipment away too soon can lead to unexpected challenges. Here’s why.
Medicare’s “One Item Every Five Years” Rule
Most durable medical equipment (DME) — including wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, CPAP machines, and more — is only covered by Medicare once every five years.
This means:
- If you receive a covered wheelchair today, Medicare won’t pay for another until five years have passed — even if your medical needs change.
- The same rule applies to walkers, hospital beds, and many other common pieces of equipment.
What Happens If You Need It Again?
Life is unpredictable. Even if you feel great now, unexpected changes can happen:
- You may need additional surgery.
- You could develop a new medical condition.
- You may experience an injury or a change in mobility.
If you’ve already donated or given away your equipment — and are still within the five-year coverage window — you will likely have to pay out of pocket for a replacement.
Why We Recommend Storing It
If you have space — a basement, garage, or storage closet — it’s wise to keep your equipment until you’ve safely passed the five-year mark.
Even if it seems unlikely that you’ll need it again, we’ve seen many clients caught off guard when their circumstances changed.
It’s also important to know that replacement is not guaranteed. Medicare tracks previous billing. If your records show you already received an item within five years, Medicare will likely deny coverage for a new request.
Real-World Example
One of our clients recently donated their wheelchair after recovering from a hip replacement. Unfortunately, just two years later, they experienced a new injury and needed it again. Because Medicare had already paid for a wheelchair, they had to cover the full cost out of pocket — an expensive and frustrating lesson.
Our Simple Advice
- Don’t be too quick to donate or give away your equipment. Store it if you can.
- You’ll be glad you did if life throws an unexpected curveball.
- If you’d like to donate later on, we can help connect you with local nonprofits or our Bringing Back the Village program — once you’re safely outside the five-year window.
The Just Us Final Take
One of our biggest goals is helping clients plan ahead — not just for insurance, but for life. Understanding how equipment coverage works is a small but important part of protecting your finances and independence.
If you have questions about DME, Medicare rules, or planning for future needs, stay connected with us:
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justusretirement
Join our private Facebook group for Medicare Q&A: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wvmedicarequestions
Sign up for our newsletter with helpful retirement advice: https://justus.helpdeskinsuranceservices.com/sign-up-page
You don’t have to navigate this alone — we’re here to help!