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Transfer devices are designed to help you move safely from one location to another. They will also help ensure that your caregiver does not get hurt moving you.
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Gait (transfer) beltassists with transferring you between wheelchairs, beds, sofas, toilets, cars, etc.
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Where can I get one?
How much will it cost?
Gait belts typically cost between $10 and $50. Medicare does not cover them. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If one is not available from a loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.
What else should I know?
- Try your local ALS Association loan closet first.
- Indemedical: gait belt, padded gait belt with handles
- Amazon: gait belt
How much will it cost?
Gait belts typically cost between $10 and $50. Medicare does not cover them. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If one is not available from a loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.
What else should I know?
- If the standard gait belt does not work for you, you may want to try the padded belt with handles.
Pivot (or transfer) disca disc that helps you slowly rotate in a new direction while standing in place; often used for getting in and out of a wheelchair from a bed, chair, car, etc.
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Where can I get one?
How much will it cost?
Pivot discs typically cost between $60 and $80. Medicare does not cover them. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If one is not available from a loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.
- Try your local ALS Association loan closet first.
- Indemedical: pivot disc
- Amazon: pivot disc
How much will it cost?
Pivot discs typically cost between $60 and $80. Medicare does not cover them. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If one is not available from a loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.
Bed rail (bed cane)a rail that slips between the mattress and box spring to assist you getting in and out of bed; it can also help you from rolling off the bed
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Where can I get one?
How much will it cost?
Bed rails typically cost between $30 and $50. Medicare does not cover them. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If one is not available from a loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.
How much will it cost?
Bed rails typically cost between $30 and $50. Medicare does not cover them. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If one is not available from a loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.
Transfer boarda board that helps bridge the gap between a wheelchair and a bed, toilet, car, etc.
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Where can I get one?
How much will it cost?
Transfer boards typically cost between $40 and $60. Medicare will cover 80% of the cost. The remaining 20% should be covered by Medicaid and private insurance. If you don’t have Medicaid and/or private insurance, you may have a co-pay.
What else should I know?
- A transfer board is covered through Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Delivery can take 5-7 business days. The DME provider will contact you to make delivery arrangements.
- If you cannot wait, try your local ALS Association loan closet. If unavailable, you can purchase a transfer board on your own online at Indemedical.
How much will it cost?
Transfer boards typically cost between $40 and $60. Medicare will cover 80% of the cost. The remaining 20% should be covered by Medicaid and private insurance. If you don’t have Medicaid and/or private insurance, you may have a co-pay.
What else should I know?
- Depending on your level of strength and coordination, the transfer board can be used independently or with caregiver assistance.
- Transfer boards help reduce the strain on the caregiver’s back.
Manual patient lift (hoyer lift)a hydraulic, hand-pumped device that lifts you in a chair-like sling for transferring between wheelchair, bed, toilet, etc.
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Where can I get one?
How much will it cost?
Manual patient lifts typically cost between $400 and $700. Medicare will cover 80% of the cost. The remaining 20% should be covered by Medicaid and private insurance. If you don’t have Medicaid and/or private insurance, you may have a co-pay.
What else should I know?
- You should not need to purchase a manual patient lift. It is considered a rental and is covered through Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Delivery can take 5-7 business days. The DME provider will contact you to make delivery arrangements.
- If you are unable to wait, try your local ALS Association loan closet or local Muscular Dystrophy Association chapter first.
How much will it cost?
Manual patient lifts typically cost between $400 and $700. Medicare will cover 80% of the cost. The remaining 20% should be covered by Medicaid and private insurance. If you don’t have Medicaid and/or private insurance, you may have a co-pay.
What else should I know?
- The manual patient lift helps caregivers transfer people who are unable to assist or have upper body weakness.
- When you order a lift, one sling is automatically ordered, too. Both items will be delivered to you at the same time. Double-check to make sure that the sling is a divided (split leg) sling. If not, contact your physician's office and they will correct the order.
Power patient lift (hoyer lift)a battery-powered, remote-controlled device that lifts you in a chair-like sling for transferring between wheelchair, bed, toilet, etc.
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Where can I get one?
How much will it cost?
Power patient lifts typically cost between $1,000 and $3,000. Medicare does not cover them. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If one is not available from a loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.
If a power lift is too expensive to purchase out of pocket, find out if you can use a manual lift instead, which is less expensive—and covered by insurance.
What else should I know?
- Try your local ALS Association loan closet first.
- Indemedical: power patient lift
- Activeforever: power patient lift
How much will it cost?
Power patient lifts typically cost between $1,000 and $3,000. Medicare does not cover them. Medicaid and private insurance typically do not either. If one is not available from a loan closet, you will need to pay out of pocket.
If a power lift is too expensive to purchase out of pocket, find out if you can use a manual lift instead, which is less expensive—and covered by insurance.
What else should I know?
- Power lifts should always be operated by a trained caregiver.
- If you borrow or purchase a power lift, you will also need to borrow or purchase a divided (split leg) sling.
- The power lift’s battery is rechargeable.
Divided (split-leg) slinga nylon or mesh hanging chair that attaches to manual and power lifts to support you
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Where can I get one?
How much will it cost?
Slings typically cost between $85 and $150. When you order a manual lift through Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, you will also receive a sling. If you want a second sling, or if you pay for your own power lift, you will need to pay out of pocket for the sling.
What else should I know?
- If you order a manual lift, a sling will be included. You should not have to purchase one. The sling should be delivered along with the lift from the DME provider. Delivery can take 5-7 business days. The DME provider will contact you to make delivery arrangements
- If you need to purchase a sling out of pocket, first try your local loan closet. If they don’t have one, try a mesh sling or nylon sling from Indemedical or a divided leg sling from Amazon.
How much will it cost?
Slings typically cost between $85 and $150. When you order a manual lift through Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, you will also receive a sling. If you want a second sling, or if you pay for your own power lift, you will need to pay out of pocket for the sling.
What else should I know?
- There are many different types of slings. The divided (split-leg) sling is preferred because it is much easier to take on and off. It also separates the legs, allows plenty of room for the shoulders, and provides head support.
- If you plan to use the sling in the shower (while using a rolling shower chair), make sure to ask for a mesh one. Otherwise, the standard material is polyester/nylon.
- You can always purchase a second sling on your own if you would like a separate one for the shower.
Back to Home & Daily Living
Equipment Safety
Consult your physical or occupational therapist before buying or using any medical equipment. Also ask your local ALS Association chapter to assess your equipment needs.
To avoid unnecessary injuries, you and your caregiver(s) should receive training from your physical or occupational therapist on how to safely and properly use each piece of equipment.
To avoid unnecessary injuries, you and your caregiver(s) should receive training from your physical or occupational therapist on how to safely and properly use each piece of equipment.
