Buy a rollator: Costs, prescription, and reimbursement
If you have difficulty keeping steady on your feet, a rollator can be a great help. To buy a rollator, you should first visit your family doctor to obtain a corresponding prescription. In this article, you will learn how to get a prescription, which costs are covered by health insurance, and what to consider when purchasing.
How to obtain a prescription for a walker
"If you feel unsteady on your feet and need a walker, it is best to contact your family doctor. If he sees the necessity for a corresponding prescription, he will issue you a prescription for the walker. It is not necessary to have a care level to receive a prescription."
Approval of the walker and assumption of costs
The prescription must be submitted to the medical supply store in order to have the aid approved. If the health insurance covers the costs, you will receive a simple basic model for a certain amount on loan for a few years at a medical supply store of your choice. After that, the prescription must be renewed. Consultation and maintenance are included. The basic model is usually heavy and simple. Color and size selection is not possible. While the handle height can usually be adjusted, the seat height and the distance between the handles are fixed. The fixed amount that health insurance companies grant for a walker cannot be quantified in general, as the insurance companies enter into regional contracts with the service providers, which are very different. However, this simple insurance walker is usually the cheapest model from the manufacturers. It is available privately for 40 to 60 euros.
Costs for higher-quality rollators, co-payment model
If you choose a higher-quality walker, you will have to pay the difference to the fixed amount out of your own pocket. Whether the walker becomes your property or remains the property of the medical supply store must be clarified in advance with your health insurance and the medical supply store. Surprisingly, a higher-quality walker with a prescription can be more expensive than the private purchase without a prescription. This is because there is a price competition among the providers of walkers. In many cases, the prices of walkers with a prescription are not listed in an open area like the internet, making it difficult to compare prices, unlike walkers purchased privately without a prescription. While this does not apply to all, it is better to keep this in mind. "Private purchase of a walker without a prescription can be cheaper than with a prescription".
The cost coverage by the health insurance varies. However, it may be similar to the price of a rollator cash model without a prescription, which ranges between 40 and 60 euros. That's actually not much if you are buying a high-quality rollator. Premium rollator providers offer various seasonal promotions and discounts. Gorilla Gesund offers, for example, free accessories that are worth more than what you would save with a prescription.
Some health insurance companies cover the costs for higher-quality walkers if they are medically necessary and the basic model is not sufficient. However, it is important to clarify with the health insurance company before purchasing which costs will be covered and what conditions must be met. Some health insurance companies also require a co-payment of 10 percent of the purchase price, which the customer must pay themselves.
"Check out the offers at Gorilla Gesund and take advantage of the selected deals."
Types of walkers
Rollators or walking aids are an integral part of everyday life for many older people today. Mobile walking aids are constantly evolving, and today there are many different models with various materials and individual features.
Carbon Rollator
Carbon rollators represent a truly unique class among walking aids. The most striking feature of these devices is their significantly lower weight compared to conventional rollators.
Lightweight Rollator
"These walkers are designed from the very beginning with regard to lightness. Thus, lightweight walkers lose up to 50% of the weight compared to their standard counterparts."
2 in 1 Rollator & Wheelchair
Rollators with wheelchair function are particularly suitable for people who need support for shorter distances but prefer to cover longer distances while sitting.
Indoor Rollator
An indoor rollator is specifically designed for use indoors, e.g., in an apartment. Therefore, it is sometimes referred to as an apartment rollator or house rollator.
Outdoor Rollator
All-terrain or outdoor walkers are a particularly robust variant of walkers. Often equipped with soft or air tires, they are especially suitable for use in rough terrain.
Shopping rollator
Shopping walkers combine a walker and shopping trolley, with bags that can carry 20 kg and have a volume of 25L. They have a seat and provide safety while walking.
What you should pay attention to when buying
When purchasing a walker, you should ensure that it fits your height and mobility. A walker that is too low or too high can lead to posture problems and pain. A walker should also be stable and have good suspension to absorb shocks. If you frequently use the walker outdoors, you should pay attention to sturdy wheels that run steadily on various surfaces. A good walker should also be easy to handle and have useful features such as a hand brake and a shopping bag.
In summary, it can be said that a walker can be a great help in staying safe on your feet. To purchase a walker, you need a corresponding prescription from your general practitioner. The costs will be covered by the health insurance if the basic model is sufficient. If you opt for a higher-quality walker, you may have to pay the difference yourself. When buying, you should pay attention to a good fit, stability, and useful features.
Our tip: Ask your doctor to prescribe you a lightweight walker. The extent to which this affects the reimbursement amount depends on the respective health insurance company. Get informed!
Prof. Dr. med. Ingo Füsgen, Head of the Medical Geriatric Focus at Marienhospital Bottrop, Geriatrics of the University of Witten/Herdecke: "The goal of occupational therapy is to maintain and promote physical mobility and coordination, as well as to improve walking safety and balance. In the context of occupational therapy, seniors learn how to properly use a walker. This form of self-help assistance is important to prevent falls!"
"If you purchase a walker at your own expense, you have the advantage of being able to choose a model that exactly matches your medical condition as well as your wishes and requirements. Just as one is willing to spend a little more on glasses or other devices and items that serve personal health and safety, it is certainly worth paying attention to quality when it comes to a walker."
Our tip: Ask your doctor to prescribe you some occupational therapy treatments. Many doctors are not aware that by prescribing a walker as an aid, they can also instruct occupational therapy at the same time. Because practice makes perfect: In occupational therapy, you will learn the movement sequence to be able to use a walker correctly.
