Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medically necessary DME when a Medicare-enrolled doctor or other health care provider orders it for use in your home. DME that Medicare covers includes, but isn't limited to:
Blood sugar meters
Blood sugar test strips
Canes
Commode chairs
Continuous passive motion devices
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices
Crutches
Hospital beds
Home infusion services
Infusion pumps & supplies
Lancet devices & lancets
Nebulizers & nebulizer medications
Oxygen equipment & accessories
Patient lifts
Pressure-reducing support surfaces
Suction pumps
Traction equipment
Walkers
Wheelchairs & scooters
Your costs in the Original MedicareAfter you meet the Part B Deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-Approved Amount (if your supplier accepts the assignment). 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 they submit.
Make sure your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. It’s also important to ask a supplier if they participate in Medicare before you get DME. If suppliers are participating in Medicare, they must accept assignment (which means, they can charge you only the coinsurance and Part B deductible for the Medicare‑approved amount). If suppliers aren’t participating and don’t accept assignments, there’s no limit on the amount they can charge you.