Does Medicare Pay For Durable Medical Equipment (DME)?

An older man uses his walker within his nursing home

If you have Medicare Part B, it’s important to know that Medicare will cover certain medical equipment that aids in a better quality of living. In order to get the most out of your Medicare coverage, here’s what you need to know about durable medical equipment and Medicare.

What is durable medical equipment (DME)?

Durable medical equipment (DME) is any medical equipment that helps people complete daily activities. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers medically necessary DME if your doctor prescribes it for use in your home. To be covered by Medicare, the medical equipment must meet these criteria:

Durable (can withstand repeated use)
Used for a medical reason
Not usually useful to someone who isn’t sick or injured
Used in your home
Generally has an expected lifetime of at least 3 years

Durable Medical Equipment Examples:

There are many types of Durable Medical Equipment that can help improve your quality of life. Examples of DME covered by Medicare include:

Hospital beds
Infusion supplies
Oxygen equipment and accessories
Power scooters
Walkers
Wheelchairs

How-To Find Medical Equipment & Supplies Near You

In order to be covered by Medicare, you must get your durable medical equipment from a supplier approved by Medicare. Medicare offers this supplier directory so you can find a DME supplier near you.

Understand Your Medicare Plan’s Coverage with SelectQuote

At SelectQuote, we can help you navigate the complexities of Medicare and its coverage. We can compare Medicare plans available to you, answer any questions you have, and will make sure you get the most out of your Medicare coverage.

Information supported by:
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/durable-medical-equipment-dme-coverage

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Best's Credit Ratings™ are under continuous review and subject to change and/or affirmation. For the latest Best’s Credit Ratings™ and Best’s Credit Reports (which include Best’s Credit Ratings™), visit the A.M. Best website at ambest.com. See Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings™ for explanation of use and charges.” “Best's Credit Ratings™ reproduced herein appear under license from A.M. Best and do not constitute, either expressly or impliedly, an endorsement of SelectQuote or its recommendations, formulas, criteria or comparisons to any other ratings, rating scales or rating organizations which are published or referenced herein. A.M. Best is not responsible for transcription errors made in presenting Best's Credit Ratings™. Best’s Credit Ratings™ are proprietary and may not be reproduced or distributed without the express written permission of A.M. Best Company.” A Best’s Financial Strength Rating opinion addresses the relative ability of an insurer to meet its ongoing insurance obligations. It is not a warranty of a company’s financial strength and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. View our Important Notice: Best's Credit Ratings for a disclaimer notice and complete details at http://www.ambest.com/home/ratings.aspx

* Income & resource limits from 2019. Qualifications and limits provided by https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/get-help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-programs and are intended to be updated annually.

* https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/get-help-paying-costs/find-your-level-of-extra-help-part-d

* If you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 40 calendar quarters (10 years)

** Source: Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation

¹ https://www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-policy/cms-use-glide-path-when-removing-covid-19-waivers

² https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-issues-second-round-sweeping-changes-support-us-healthcare-system-during-covid

¹ https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/yearly-deductible-for-drug-plans

² https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/costs-in-the-coverage-gap

³ https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/catastrophic-coverage. The $7,400 includes what you paid in Initial Coverage (deductible & copayments), what you paid in the Coverage Gap, and any applicable pharmaceutical discounts.

¹ If you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 40 calendar quarters (10 years)

¹ https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/medicare-costs-at-a-glance

² https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/whats-medicare-supplement-insurance-medigap/medigap-costs/costs-of-medigap-policies

³ https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap

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*Best's Credit Ratings™ are under continuous review and subject to change and/or affirmation. For the latest Best’s Credit Ratings™ and Best’s Credit Reports (which include Best’s Credit Ratings™), visit the A.M. Best website at ambest.com. See Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings™ for explanation of use and charges.” “Best's Credit Ratings™ reproduced herein appear under license from A.M. Best and do not constitute, either expressly or impliedly, an endorsement of SelectQuote or its recommendations, formulas, criteria or comparisons to any other ratings, rating scales or rating organizations which are published or referenced herein. A.M. Best is not responsible for transcription errors made in presenting Best's Credit Ratings™. Best’s Credit Ratings™ are proprietary and may not be reproduced or distributed without the express written permission of A.M. Best Company.” A Best’s Financial Strength Rating opinion addresses the relative ability of an insurer to meet its ongoing insurance obligations. It is not a warranty of a company’s financial strength and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. View our Important Notice: Best's Credit Ratings for a disclaimer notice and complete details at http://www.ambest.com/home/ratings.aspx

This is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states including but not limited to NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policies and riders for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions. For availability and costs, please contact your local Aflac agent/producer. The rates quoted are the current rates and are subject to change.

Accident: In Idaho, Policies T37100ID, T37200ID, & T37300ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T37000OK. Not available in Virginia. Cancer/Specified-Disease: In Idaho, Policy T70000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T70000OK. In Virginia, Policies T70000VA & T70000GVA. Critical Illness: In Oklahoma, Policy T71000OK. Not available in Idaho or Virginia.

Aflac’s family of insurers include Aflac, Aflac New York, Continental American Insurance Company, and Tier One Insurance Company.

Aflac coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company.

Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999.

Z2200757

EXP 8/23

Aflac overage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company.

Aflac family of insurers include Aflac, Aflac New York, Continental American Insurance Company, and Tier One Insurance Company.

This is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states including but not limited to NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policies and riders for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions. For availability and costs, please contact your local Aflac agent/producer. The rates quoted are the current rates and are subject to change.

Accident: In Arkansas, Policy T37000ARR. In Idaho, Policies T37100ID, T37200ID, & T37300ID. In Oregon, Policy T37000OR. In Oklahoma, Policy T37000OK. In Pennsylvania, Policies T37000PA, T37300PA, & T37500PA. In Texas, Policy T37000TX. Cancer: In Arkansas, Policy T70000ARR. In Idaho, Policy T70000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T70000OK. In Oregon, Policy T70000OR. In Pennsylvania, Policy T70000PA. In Texas, Policy T70000TX. Critical Illness: In Arkansas, Policy T71100ARR. In Oklahoma, Policy T71000OK. In Oregon, Policy T71000OR. In Pennsylvania, Policies T71100PA - T71400PA. In Texas, Policy T71000TXR.

Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

MULTI-PLAN_SQSRW2023_M