Understanding Medicare Coverage for Home Medical Equipment

If you are on Medicare Part B, you may be covered for a wide range of durable medical equipment (DME) when ordered by your doctor. Here is what you need to know.

What Medicare Part B Covers

Medicare Part B covers medically necessary DME when:

A Medicare-enrolled doctor orders it
The equipment is medically necessary for use in your home
You are enrolled in Medicare Part B

Covered categories include: manual and power wheelchairs, walkers and rollators, CPAP machines and supplies, hospital beds, patient lifts, oxygen equipment, and wound care supplies.

How Cost-Sharing Works

After your Part B deductible ($240 in 2024), Medicare typically covers 80% of the approved amount. You pay the remaining 20% (your coinsurance), unless you have a Medigap or secondary insurance policy that covers it.

Example: A standard manual wheelchair with a Medicare allowable amount of $199. Medicare pays $159.20. You pay $39.80 — unless your secondary insurance covers it.

Prior Authorization

Some equipment (power wheelchairs, certain respiratory devices) requires prior authorization from Medicare before delivery. We handle this paperwork on your behalf. In most cases we can submit the authorization request within 24 hours of receiving your physician order.

What We Need from You

A written order from your Medicare-enrolled physician
Your Medicare card (Part B)
A secondary insurance card if applicable

We verify your eligibility and explain your exact coverage before any equipment is ordered. No surprises.

Questions?

Call us or use our contact form. We explain Medicare coverage in plain English — no jargon, no phone trees.