Medical equipment can be expensive, especially when someone needs a wheelchair, walker, hospital bed, oxygen equipment, mobility device, or other equipment at home.
Depending on your insurance, income, disability, medical condition, and location, there may be ways to reduce the amount you have to pay. Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and certain local or nonprofit programs may help with eligible equipment.
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME) when the applicable requirements are met, including equipment prescribed for use in the home. Covered equipment can include wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, oxygen equipment, infusion pumps, and other items.
Who May Qualify
Assistance with medical equipment may be available to people who:
- Have a qualifying medical condition
- Have a disability
- Need equipment for use at home
- Have Medicare or Medicaid
- Have private health insurance
- Have limited income or resources
- Need mobility or accessibility equipment
- Need medically necessary respiratory equipment
- Need equipment following an illness, injury, or surgery
Eligibility depends on the equipment, medical need, insurance coverage, and applicable program rules.
Check What You May Qualify For
If you need medical equipment but are worried about the cost, checking several potential sources of assistance can help you find options you may have overlooked.
- ✓ Free eligibility check
- ✓ Free guidance if needed
Available programs vary based on your medical needs, insurance, income, location, and other factors.
Types of Medical Equipment That May Be Covered
Wheelchairs and Mobility Equipment
Depending on medical necessity and coverage requirements, assistance may be available for wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, crutches, and related equipment. Medicare Part B covers certain medically necessary mobility equipment when eligibility and prescription requirements are met.
Hospital Beds
Some people who need medical care at home may qualify for coverage of a medically necessary hospital bed.
Oxygen and Respiratory Equipment
Medicare covers certain oxygen equipment and respiratory devices when requirements are met. Other insurance or Medicaid programs may also provide coverage depending on eligibility.
CPAP Equipment
Medicare covers qualifying CPAP therapy and related supplies under its DME rules. The patient may have cost-sharing requirements after the applicable deductible.
Other Durable Medical Equipment
DME can include equipment designed for repeated use and primarily used for a medical reason, such as walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen equipment, infusion pumps, and certain monitoring equipment.
Medicare Help With Medical Equipment
Medicare Part B can cover medically necessary durable medical equipment when your healthcare provider orders it and the equipment meets Medicare's requirements. For covered DME, after meeting the Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Some equipment is rented, some is purchased, and some equipment may follow either arrangement. It is important to use an appropriate Medicare-enrolled supplier and ask whether the supplier accepts Medicare assignment before obtaining equipment.
Medicaid Assistance
Medicaid may provide additional assistance for eligible people with disabilities and people with limited income, but equipment coverage varies by state. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid may help with certain Medicare cost-sharing expenses and may cover additional services or equipment that Medicare does not cover, subject to state rules.
Other Ways to Reduce Equipment Costs
If insurance does not cover the full cost, other possibilities may include state disability programs, local community assistance, nonprofit organizations, hospital financial assistance, medical equipment loan programs, equipment reuse or recycling organizations, manufacturer assistance programs, payment arrangements with suppliers, and charitable organizations serving specific medical conditions. Availability varies considerably, so it can be useful to check several sources rather than relying on one program.
How Medical Equipment Assistance Typically Works
- Ask your healthcare provider what equipment you need.
- Get the required prescription or medical documentation.
- Check your health insurance coverage.
- Ask whether prior authorization is required.
- Use an approved or participating equipment supplier when required.
- Ask about your expected out-of-pocket cost and look for secondary assistance if insurance does not cover the entire amount.
Before purchasing expensive equipment yourself, confirm what your insurance will cover and whether you need to use a particular supplier.