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How long does it take for Medicare to approve a wheelchair?

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the average time for an Original Medicare durable medical equipment (DME) coverage request to be provisionally approved was 4.4 days during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. However, the total time to get a wheelchair, from the initial doctor's visit to final delivery, can be much longer, and the entire process can be impacted by factors like the specific type of wheelchair needed, the quality of medical documentation, and the completion of prior authorization. This article explains how long does it take for Medicare to approve a wheelchair and the steps involved.