Durable Medical Equipment, covered under Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), is medical equipment, such as walkers, wheelchairs, or hospital beds, that are ordered by your doctor to use in your home. For an item to be considered as Durable Medical Equipment, it must meet the following requirements:
- Be durable and reusable
- Used for a medical reason
- Used in your home
- Has a general expected lifetime of three years
What Part Of Medicare Insurance Cover Durable Medical Equipment?
Anyone who has Medicare Part B (medical insurance) qualifies for Durable Medical Equipment coverage. However, it is important to note that a Medicare-covered hospital stay or nursing home providing you with care does not qualify as your “home.” A long-term care facility can qualify as your home, though. Also, those with Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) staying in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) will have their Durable Medical Equipment covered for 100 days during their stay.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) must cover the same Durable Medical Equipment as Original Medicare. The cost of your Durable Medical Equipment will depend on which Medicare Advantage plan you are enrolled in. Suppose your Medicare Advantage Plan refuses to cover DME that you feel you need. In that case, you can appeal the decision and receive an independent review of your Durable Medical Equipment case.
If you are enrolled in Original Medicare, and your Durable Medical Equipment provider accepts the assignment, then you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Medicare Part B deductible still applies. Medicare pays for equipment in a few different ways:
- You may have to rent the equipment
- You may have to buy the equipment
- You may have the option to buy or rent the equipment needed
Durable Medical Equipment Covered Under Medicare
Contract suppliers must provide you with the medical equipment as part of their contract with Medicare.
Examples of items covered under Medicare include:
- Blood sugar meters and test strips
- Canes
- Commode Chairs
- Continuous passive motion devices
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines
- Crutches
- Home infusion services
- Infusion pumps and supplies
- Traction equipment
Those are just a few of the examples that Medicare-approved providers can have approved as Durable Medical Equipment necessary for your home and your health.
Get Medicare Coverage Today!
At Cornerstone Senior Advisors, we take your coverage seriously. If you need a Medicare plan that provides the coverage you need for durable medical equipment, then look no further. Our team of professionals is here to help you get the coverage and Medicare plan you deserve!