Durable Medical Equipment
Mobility aids, adaptive equipment, and home medical supplies that help your loved one stay safe and independent at home.
Also known as: DME, Home medical equipment, Mobility aids, Adaptive equipment, Home health equipment
Who this is for
Is this what you're looking for?
Here are a few situations where families turn to durable medical equipment.
Mobility is becoming a safety issue at home
Your dad is unsteady on his feet and the risk of a fall is real. The right equipment — a walker, grab bars, a shower chair — could make a significant difference, but you're not sure what he actually needs.
A discharge is coming and the home isn't equipped
Your mom is being discharged from the hospital or rehab and will need equipment at home — a hospital bed, wheelchair, or oxygen. You need to sort this out before she arrives.
You're not sure what Medicare will cover
You know some equipment is covered by Medicare, but you don't know what qualifies, what documentation is needed, or how to work with a supplier to get it covered.
There are many more situations where this kind of support makes sense. If you're not sure whether it's the right fit, searching is a good first step.
What to expect
How durable medical equipment works
Covered
by Medicare
Doctor's
order required
20%
copay after deductible
Rent or
buy options
Durable medical equipment (DME) includes items prescribed for medical use at home — walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, CPAP machines, oxygen equipment, shower chairs, and more. Medicare Part B covers DME when it's medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. You typically pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost after your Part B deductible. Equipment must be obtained from a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier.
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Frequently asked questions
What families ask
Durable medical equipment is equipment that serves a medical purpose, can withstand repeated use, is appropriate for home use, and is not useful to someone without an illness or injury. Common examples include walkers, crutches, wheelchairs (manual and power), hospital beds, CPAP and BiPAP machines, oxygen equipment, blood sugar monitors, shower chairs, grab bars (when prescribed), and traction equipment. Single-use items and convenience items are generally not DME.
Medicare Part B covers DME that is medically necessary, prescribed by a doctor, and supplied by a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier. Coverage includes walkers, manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs (with medical justification), hospital beds, CPAP machines, oxygen equipment, nebulizers, and blood glucose monitors. Medicare covers 80 percent of the approved cost after your Part B deductible is met — you pay the remaining 20 percent.
Your loved one's doctor must write a prescription for the equipment and provide documentation that it's medically necessary. You then purchase or rent from a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier — not all suppliers accept Medicare, so confirm before ordering. For power wheelchairs and some other equipment, Medicare may require additional documentation or an in-person evaluation.
Medicare typically starts by renting equipment — for items like hospital beds and wheelchairs, Medicare pays monthly rental fees. After 13 months of rental, ownership usually transfers to the beneficiary. For items that are likely to be needed long-term, this works out economically. For short-term needs (like recovery from surgery), rental makes more sense than purchase. Ask your supplier to explain the rent-to-own timeline for any item you're considering.
Some equipment is not covered by Medicare — either because it doesn't meet the medical necessity criteria or because it's considered a comfort or convenience item. In these cases, you pay out of pocket. Compare prices from multiple suppliers. Some equipment (grab bars, non-slip mats, shower chairs without a prescription) can be purchased affordably at home improvement or medical supply stores without involving a supplier at all.
Use Medicare's Supplier Directory at medicare.gov to find enrolled suppliers in your area. A supplier must be Medicare-enrolled to bill Medicare for your equipment. Ask whether they handle all the paperwork with Medicare or whether you'll need to submit claims yourself. Check whether they deliver, install, and service the equipment — particularly important for complex items like power wheelchairs and oxygen systems.
Hospital discharge planners and social workers coordinate DME for patients being discharged to home. Tell them what equipment you anticipate needing as early in the hospitalization as possible — some items take days to arrange. If you're arranging equipment independently, contact a Medicare-enrolled supplier as soon as you have a discharge date and a doctor's prescription. Don't wait until the day before discharge.
Medicare denials can be appealed. If coverage is denied, request a written denial and review the reason carefully — often coverage is denied because documentation is incomplete rather than because the item doesn't qualify. Your doctor can often provide additional documentation to support an appeal. The appeals process has multiple levels, and many initial denials are successfully overturned with proper documentation.
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