Do you want to learn about equipment rentals that insurance covers?

“My dad refused to move his bedroom and bathroom from the second floor of his home. One day this choice was made for him. Fortunately, the rehabilitation specialist introduced him to medical equipment so that he could remain safe at home.”

Healthcare has been transformed by the rapidly changing furniture, devices, and gadgets we know as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). Today it is possible to set up an entire hospital room at home thus reducing the anxiety of illness and recovery in unfamiliar surroundings.

DME categories include:

• Mobility
• Bath Safety
• Wheelchairs
• Hospital Beds
• Transfer Assistance
• Alarms and Fall detection
• Activities of Daily Living Tools

Medicare Part B

Covers the care you receive outside the hospital or nursing home care. This pays for outpatient and therapy care, doctor’s visits, prevention care like vaccinations and DME. Here is a list of the most common DME covered when prescribed by a physician as ‘medically necessary and within the limits of Medicare’s approved vendors:

• Blood sugar monitors and test strips
• Canes
• Commode chairs
• (CPAP) devices
• Hospital beds
• Infusion pumps & supplies
• Lancet devices & lancets
• Nebulizers & nebulizer medications
• Oxygen equipment & accessories
• Lifts
• Pressure-reducing support surfaces
• Suction pumps
• Traction equipment
• Walkers
• Rollators
• Wheelchairs & scooters

Medicare Part C

Is commonly known as Medicare Advantage. These plans are purchased through insurance companies. They cover the items listed here for Parts A & B and Part D. Each Medicare Advantage plan sets up their benefits profile and cost paid by members depending on the local market where they are selling the plans. Some of these plans now offer vision, hearing, and dental coverage (which regular Medicare does not). Medicare Advantage covers DME like Medicare Part B and sometimes beyond. Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits to address social needs as well as medical.

Understanding insurance reimbursement for medical devices can be tricky. We recommend that you consult your insurance handbook for more information on coverage.