Durable Medical Equipment General Information

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is a broad, encompassing term used to describe equipment that is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, can withstand repeated use, and is appropriate for use in the home. Some examples of common DME include hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, canes/crutches, and bath chairs. If your doctor prescribes a DME it may be a covered item under your health insurance plan. A simple insurance verification will tell us if your item is covered and/or if it requires a prior authorization. At a minimum you will need a detailed prescription from your doctor for insurance coverage.

It is in your best interest to work with a local supplier to determine coverage and to ensure you are getting the most appropriate piece of equipment possible. It is possible that even if your doctor writes you a detailed prescription that your insurance plan may not cover the requested item. It is possible the standard piece of equipment may not be what you want and depending on your insurance you could pay an out-of-pocket upgrade charge to get the DME you desire. Most DME can be purchased out-of-pocket with no detailed prescription required.

Typically a patient will use DME equipment to perform his or her daily activities like mobility and bathing in the home. While managing the recovery from an injury, the progression of a disease or condition, or just the general effects of aging, it is very common for an individual to have many different types of DME in the home. Use of DME not only helps you to perform independent daily activities in the home but often allows you to participate in activities out of the home as well. Shopping, doctor visits, family and community events, and travel are some of the activities that millions of people perform daily with the assistance of DME.

As the demographics of our population evolve, DME will become more common. Virtually all families in this country have a member who either has or is currently using some form of DME to remain independent. It is difficult to go to a public place and not see someone using a cane, walker, or wheelchair yet most of us pay little attention to the impact DME has on our population.