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Durable Medical Equipment

Durable Medical Equipment

The definition of durable medical equipment can vary from insurance provider to provider. You will need to talk to your healthcare provider and insurance provider to confirm what can be prescribed, what can be covered, and what you may have to pay for yourself. Durable medical equipment is equipment that your doctor orders for use in the home, including:

  • Bath transfer chairs
  • Adjustable or pressure-reducing beds, mattresses, and covers
  • Bed rails
  • Canes
  • Bedside commodes
  • Continuous Passive Motion Devices
  • Continuous Positive Airward Pressure Devices
  • Crutches
  • Diabetic blood testing stripsBlood sugar testing kit
  • Diabetic blood sugar monitor
  • Grab bars
  • Hospital beds
  • Infusion pumps and supplies
  • Lancet devices and lancets
  • Bed and chair lifts
  • Mobility scooters
  • Nebulizers and nebulizer medication
  • Oxygen equipment and accessories
  • Safety rails
  • Scooters
  • Seat cushion
  • Shower chairs/stools
  • Standing support
  • Suction pumps
  • Traction equipment
  • Transfer chairs or boards
  • Walkers with wheels or a seat
  • Wheel chairs

Paying for Durable Medical Equipment

Medicare

Medicare Part B may cover durable medical equipment that your doctor prescribes for home use. Visit Medicare’s Durable Medical Equipment coverage page to see what items are covered and how Medicare determines what is covered.

Medicare will only work with certain suppliers. Visit Medicare’s Medical Equipment and Suppliers page to search for a supplier by zip code. Make sure to double-check with the supplier and Medicare before you buy or rent any equipment.

Medicaid

Medicaid Fee-for-Service will cover hearing aids and other durable medical equipment (for example, oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, blood test strips).

Medicaid Managed Care plans may also cover these things if they are “medically necessary,” meaning that your doctor prescribes them to treat an illness or injury. To find out what your health plan will cover, call the Member Services number on the back of your health insurance card, or review your Member Handbook.

Private Health Insurance, Including Marketplace Plans

Marketplace plans may cover some Durable Medical equipment, although you may have to pay a copayment or coinsurance. Plans will cover at least some of the cost as long as the equipment is “medically necessary,” meaning that your doctor has prescribed it to treat an illness or injury. To find out what your health plan will cover, call the Member Services number on the back of your health insurance card, or review your Member Handbook.

More Help with Durable Medical Equipment

Adelante Development is a nonprofit organization based in Albuquerque, New Mexico that recycles used medical equipment through its BackInUse program, although it is not a Durable Medical Supplier. If you are in need of medical equipment and do not have insurance or need equipment not covered by your insurer, you can call them at (505) 445-5332 for a new request. 

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