Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage
Defined by Medicare.gov
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME) if your doctor prescribes it for use in your home.
DME that Medicare covers includes, but isn't limited to:
Blood sugar monitors
Blood sugar test strips
Canes
Commode chairs
Continuous passive motion devices
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices
Crutches
Hospital beds
Infusion pumps & supplies
Lancet devices & lancets
Nebulizers & nebulizer medications
Oxygen equipment & accessories
Patient lifts
Pressure-reducing beds, mattresses, and mattress overlays
Suction pumps
Traction equipment
Walkers
Wheelchairs & scooters
Your costs in Original Medicare
If your supplier accepts assignment you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies. Medicare pays for different kinds of DME in different ways. Depending on the type of equipment and qualifying diagnosis for a hospital bed:
You may need to rent the equipment.
You may need to buy the equipment.
You may be able to choose whether to rent or buy the equipment.
Medicare will only cover your DME if your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. Doctors and suppliers have to meet strict standards to enroll and stay enrolled in Medicare. If your doctors or suppliers aren’t enrolled, Medicare won’t pay the claims submitted by them, including hospital bed coverage.
It’s also important to ask your suppliers if they participate in Medicare before you get DME. If suppliers are participating suppliers, they must accept assignment (i.e. full hospital bed cost). If suppliers are enrolled in Medicare but aren’t “participating,” they may choose not to accept assignment. If suppliers don't accept assignment, there’s no limit on the amount they can charge you as the hospital bed price.
Note
To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:
Other insurance you may have
How much your doctor charges
Whether your doctor accepts assignment
The type of facility
Where you get your test, item, or service
Note
If you live in an area that's been declared a disaster or emergency, the usual rules for your medical care may change for a short time. Learn more about how to replace lost or damaged equipment in a disaster or emergency.
What it is
Only your doctor can prescribe medical equipment for you.
DME meets these criteria:
Durable (can withstand repeated use)
Used for a medical reason
Not usually useful to someone who isn't sick or injured
Used in your home
Generally has an expected lifetime of at least 3 years
We have small introduction packages and a 1st time customer discount. Let us know when you are ready to get setup and we can work out a trial campaign.
