After a hospital stay, surgery, or diagnosis of a chronic condition, you may need medical equipment to safely recover at home or manage your health long-term. Wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen equipment, walkers, and CPAP machines are just a few examples of durable medical equipment (DME) that can make the difference between a safe recovery and a dangerous setback. The good news is that Medicare covers a wide range of DME — but understanding what qualifies, how to get it, and what you'll pay out of pocket requires some knowledge of how the system works.

This guide explains everything you need to know about Medicare's DME benefit in 2026, from what's covered to how to avoid common billing mistakes.

In This Guide

What Is Durable Medical Equipment?
What DME Does Medicare Cover?
What DME Does Medicare NOT Cover?
How Much Will You Pay for DME?
The Medicare DME Competitive Bidding Program
How to Get Medicare-Covered DME: Step by Step
Medicare Advantage Plans and DME
Common DME Claim Denials and How to Avoid Them
Appealing a DME Denial
DME After Hospital Discharge: What You Need to Know
Maintaining and Replacing DME
Related NDPAP Resources

What Is Durable Medical Equipment?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) defines durable medical equipment as medical devices and supplies that meet all four of these criteria: they can withstand repeated use (they're "durable"), they serve a medical purpose, they are not generally useful to a person in the absence of an illness or injury, and they are appropriate for use in the home.

This definition is important because it determines what Medicare will and won't cover. A standard bathtub grab bar, for example, could be useful to anyone and therefore isn't DME. But a wheelchair is clearly for medical use and qualifies.

What DME Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare Part B covers a broad range of durable medical equipment when prescribed by your doctor and obtained from a Medicare-enrolled supplier. Here's a comprehensive look at the major categories:

Mobility Equipment

Wheelchairs are among the most commonly prescribed DME items. Medicare covers manual wheelchairs (standard and ultralight), power wheelchairs (when you can't operate a manual wheelchair due to your medical condition), scooters (in limited circumstances when a power wheelchair isn't needed but walking is impaired), walkers (standard, rolling, and wheeled), canes (including quad canes), and crutches.

For power wheelchairs and scooters, Medicare requires a face-to-face examination and a detailed prescription from your doctor. You may also need a home assessment to verify that your living space can safely accommodate the equipment. Complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) wheelchairs — highly customized wheelchairs for patients with complex medical needs — require evaluation by a qualified rehabilitation professional.

Respiratory Equipment

Oxygen equipment is one of the most common and essential DME categories. Medicare covers home oxygen equipment and supplies (concentrators, tanks, tubing, masks), CPAP and BiPAP machines for sleep apnea (after a qualifying sleep study), nebulizers and related medications, ventilators for patients with chronic respiratory failure, and suction machines. For oxygen equipment, Medicare uses a rental model — you rent the equipment for 36 months, after which ownership transfers to you and Medicare continues to cover supplies for an additional 2 years.

Hospital and Home Care Equipment

Medicare covers hospital beds (manual and electric, when medically necessary), patient lifts (Hoyer lifts for transfers), trapeze bars (for bed mobility), pressure-reducing mattresses and overlays (for patients at risk of pressure injuries), and commodes (bedside and drop-arm styles).

Diabetes Supplies

Medicare Part B covers blood glucose monitors and test strips, lancets and lancing devices, continuous glucose monitors (CGM) for qualifying patients, insulin pumps and supplies (the insulin itself is covered under Part B when used with a pump, or Part D when injected), and therapeutic shoes and inserts for patients with diabetic foot disease.

Other Covered Equipment

Additional DME that Medicare covers includes infusion pumps for home IV therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units for chronic pain, pneumatic compression devices for lymphedema, continuous passive motion (CPM) machines after knee surgery, bone growth stimulators for fracture healing, and seat lift mechanisms (the lift mechanism only, not the chair itself).

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What DME Does Medicare NOT Cover?

Understanding exclusions prevents frustrating claim denials. Medicare generally does not cover bathroom safety equipment (grab bars, shower chairs, raised toilet seats — these are considered "comfort" or "convenience" items rather than DME, though some Medicare Advantage plans may cover them), air conditioners and humidifiers (even if medically helpful), first aid supplies and bandages, non-prescription support stockings, hearing aids (though this has been evolving — check current coverage), and items used primarily for convenience or comfort rather than medical necessity.

How Much Will You Pay for DME?

Under Original Medicare, the cost-sharing for DME works like this: you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting your annual Part B deductible (which was $257 in 2025). Medicare pays the remaining 80%. If you have a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan, it may cover some or all of your 20% copay depending on your plan type.

For rented equipment (like oxygen concentrators and CPAP machines), you pay 20% of the monthly rental amount. After the rental period ends and ownership transfers, you continue to pay 20% for covered supplies and maintenance.

Important cost-saving tip: Always use a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier. If you get equipment from a supplier that isn't enrolled in Medicare, Medicare will not pay, and you'll be responsible for the full cost. In areas with competitive bidding programs, you may need to use a contract supplier to receive the best price.

📋 Understanding Your Care Options? Read: What Happens After the Hospital: A Step-by-Step Guide to Post-Acute Care

The Medicare DME Competitive Bidding Program

Medicare uses a competitive bidding program in many areas to help control DME costs. Under this program, DME suppliers compete for Medicare contracts by submitting bids. The winning suppliers agree to accept Medicare's payment rates, and beneficiaries in those areas must use contract suppliers for certain categories of equipment.

The competitive bidding program covers categories such as oxygen supplies and equipment, standard power wheelchairs and scooters, enteral nutrients and supplies, CPAP devices and supplies, hospital beds and accessories, walkers, and support surfaces (pressure-reducing mattresses).

To find contract suppliers in your area, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. You can also search NDPAP's directory for DME suppliers near you.

Find DME suppliers near you on NDPAP →

How to Get Medicare-Covered DME: Step by Step

Step 1: Get a prescription from your doctor. Your physician must document that the equipment is medically necessary and write a detailed prescription. For some items (like power wheelchairs), a face-to-face examination is required.

Step 2: Verify the supplier is Medicare-enrolled. Before ordering equipment, confirm that the DME supplier is enrolled in Medicare and, if applicable, is a contract supplier under the competitive bidding program. Using a non-enrolled supplier means Medicare won't pay.

Step 3: Understand whether the item is rented or purchased. Some DME items are rented (oxygen equipment, CPAP machines) while others are purchased outright (walkers, canes, commodes). Your supplier should explain the arrangement and your cost-sharing obligations.

Step 4: Get an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) if needed. If there's any question about whether Medicare will cover a specific item, your supplier should provide an ABN — a written notice that explains why the item might not be covered and gives you the choice to accept financial responsibility.

Step 5: Keep all documentation. Save your prescriptions, receipts, explanation of benefits statements, and any communication with your supplier and Medicare. These documents are essential if you need to appeal a denial.

Medicare Advantage Plans and DME

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan must cover DME at least as well as Original Medicare. However, there are some differences to be aware of. Your plan may require you to use specific DME suppliers in their network, prior authorization may be required for certain items, cost-sharing may differ from Original Medicare (some plans have lower copays or different structures), and your plan may cover additional items that Original Medicare doesn't (like bathroom safety equipment).

Contact your plan before ordering DME to understand network requirements and any prior authorization needs.

Common DME Claim Denials and How to Avoid Them

DME claims are denied more frequently than many other Medicare claims. Common reasons for denial include insufficient documentation of medical necessity (your doctor's prescription must clearly explain why you need the equipment), using a non-enrolled or non-contract supplier, ordering equipment that doesn't meet Medicare's definition of DME, not meeting specific coverage criteria (for example, the oxygen saturation requirements for home oxygen), and missing a required face-to-face examination.

To minimize denial risk, work with your doctor to ensure thorough documentation, verify your supplier's Medicare enrollment before ordering, ask your supplier to confirm Medicare coverage before you take delivery, and keep copies of all prescriptions and medical records.

Appealing a DME Denial

If your DME claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. The appeals process has five levels, and many denials are overturned — especially at the first appeal level. Here's what to do: review the denial notice carefully to understand why your claim was denied, gather supporting documentation from your doctor, file your appeal within 120 days of receiving the denial, and consider contacting your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free help with your appeal.

Your DME supplier may also be able to help with the appeals process, as they have experience navigating Medicare requirements.

DME After Hospital Discharge: What You Need to Know

If you're being discharged from the hospital and need DME at home, your discharge planner should arrange for equipment before you leave. Key things to know about this transition include asking the hospital which equipment has been ordered and which supplier will deliver it, confirming that the supplier is Medicare-enrolled, understanding your cost-sharing before the equipment arrives, making sure you receive training on how to use the equipment safely, and knowing who to call if the equipment malfunctions or you have questions.

Home health nurses and therapists can also help you learn to use new equipment and ensure it's set up properly in your home.

Search for home health agencies that can help with DME setup on NDPAP →

Maintaining and Replacing DME

Medicare covers reasonable maintenance and repair of owned DME. If equipment breaks down during normal use, contact your supplier for repair or replacement. Medicare also covers replacement of equipment that is lost, stolen, or irreparably damaged, and supplies and accessories needed for covered equipment (such as CPAP masks, oxygen tubing, wheelchair cushions, and test strips).

Keep in mind that Medicare has specific replacement schedules for many supplies. Your supplier should help you understand how often you can order replacement supplies.

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Understanding Medicare Coverage for Post-Acute Care — comprehensive overview of all Medicare post-acute benefits
Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care? — home health services that complement DME
What to Expect After Knee Replacement Surgery — DME needs for joint replacement recovery
COPD Management After Hospitalization — oxygen equipment and respiratory DME
Diabetes Management After Hospital Discharge — diabetes-related DME coverage

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Medicare coverage rules and costs change annually. For the most current DME coverage information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). For personalized Medicare counseling, contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Medicare DME Coverage: What's Covered & How to Get It

In This Guide

What Is Durable Medical Equipment?