Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage

Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage

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:

Your costs in Original Medicare

If your supplier accepts 

Assignment

 you pay 20% of the 

Medicare-approved amount

, and the Part B 

Deductible [glossary]

 applies. Medicare pays for different kinds of DME in different ways. Depending on the type of equipment:

  • 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. 

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. 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.

 

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
Things to know

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. 

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
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