Blog What Is a Durable Medical Equipment?

According to healthcare.gov, Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and supply ordered by a healthcare provider for everyday or extended use is called Durable medical equipment. Generally, such products are covered by insurance, including, Medicare. DME Coverage includes oxygen equipment, crutch wheelchairs, or blood testing strips for diabetics. DME is needed for regular and repeated use. They are used over and over again, and the demand never stops. DME is a specific term common with people in the health sector and insurance companies. People with chronic illnesses or mobility difficulties use this equipment far more than the other age groups.

Hospital beds, wheelchairs, and prosthetic limbs are DME that remain in use for longer. Contrary to it, bandages, syringes, and other related items are used for a single time and then discarded. You must understand what goes in the DME category to ensure insurance coverage. Insurance covers some equipment that is under DME.

Below are some features of the equipment that is categorized as DME:

• They serve a medical purpose and are prescribed by the doctor.
• They have been used over and over again for several years.
• They are used by disabled or injured patients and mostly at home.

Some DMEs are also used outside the home premises, like orthotics, kidney machines, oxygen monitors, ventilators, beds, mobility aids, etc.

Is Durable Medical Equipment Also Adaptive Equipment?

DMEs are medical devices used for an extended period and serve a medical purpose. On the other hand, Adaptive Equipment usually helps people with long or short-term disabilities, but they can’t be labeled as serving a medical purpose. You can think of them as equipment, mostly without insurance, making bathing, eating, toileting, and mobility safer and more accessible.

How to get Medicaid-approved DME?

Medicaid programs change from state to state. As a result, what Medicaid covers also varies from date to date. Generally, cost-effective and medically necessary equipment comes under DME. However, many state principles cover 100% of the medical equipment.

Medicaid requires to complete the following steps:

1. Get a Medicaid justification letter from the medical practitioner. It shows that you need it.
2. Find a DME supplier and hand over the letter to him.
3. The supplier comes with prior approval (PA) from the Medicaid office.
4. Medicaid office gives the approval considering your need.

Once all are done, the supplier provides you with the equipment and sends the bill to Medicaid. In case of failure, you receive a letter showing the reason. This is a general process. It keeps changing with time.

How to Get Durable Medical Equipment Other Than Medicare?

Some people don’t want to wait for Medicare's medical equipment approval. Here are some other ways to get DMEs:

• Private insurers usually cover DME. Ask for the details of coverage from them.
• Veterans and their spouses can contact the veteran affairs department for free DME.
• You can buy them privately or take them on rent.
• Some nonprofit national organizations help in buying DME from their grants.

Durable Medical Equipment Device Categories

DMEs allow the mobility of people more effectively after a serve illness or surgery. They also make you safer from getting injuries.

Safety Devices

These devices have lifeline alert systems, call buttons, and alarms to help seniors safely act and move.

Mobility Aids

The mobility of older people gets restricted with age. Mobility aids bring them closer to life by giving walking and mechanical aids.

Therapy Equipment

Therapy equipment enables in the improvement of a medical condition. They deal with managing chronic conditions.

Durable Medical Equipment Devices

Older people keep these devices in their homes to get routine tasks done easily. Some widely used DME in homes are listed below:

Wheelchairs

If you need a wheelchair, your DME supplier exchanges your information with Medicare on your behalf. Medicare looks for your eligibility and checks all requirements of a wheelchair for your perfect coverage. If you don’t want to remain in the queue for a significant amount of time, decide to buy or rent a private wheelchair. The solution is economical and also saves your health instantly. You can check further details to reclaim your independence. The wheelchair supports you to live each day with more comfort and ease. Wheelchair accessories make your move more comfortable.

Nebulizers

Your doctor sometimes also advises using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially Nebulizer Kits. The kit gives a high respirable dose that ensures effective and better treatment. The distinguishable feature is adding medicines to the machine with a closed cap.

Hospital Beds

Medicare also provides hospital beds. You need to go for a hospital bed if you meet one of the following criteria:

• The beds help alleviate pain, prevent contractures, promote good body alignment, or avoid respiratory infections. You need to position the body in impossible ways with ordinary beds.
• Congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, or problems with aspiration requires you to put your head on more than 30 degrees in most of the day hours. You have tried pillow but now you want to go for a better and more comfortable solution. You should not consider a hospital bed if the elevation is less than 30 degrees.
• You are undergoing medical treatment requiring traction equipment and other otherwise impossible attachments.

Folding Rollator Walker

Finding a perfect walking aid is necessary when you need it. A Folding rollator walker will prove to be your best companion. It helps to overcome walking exhaustion and allows you to stay balanced. You can also take it on rent to fulfill your walking needs. It will prove beneficial for patients that are recovering from surgery. Your choice will ease your mobility.

External Infusion Pumps

External Infusion Pumps deliver medications and nutrients to the body like antibiotics, insulin, pain relievers, and chemotherapy drugs. You can visit to get large and small-volume pumps. The programmed delivery of fluids at automated intervals helps you to remain safe from risky situations. Like other technical devices, they are not risk-free. You have to look for better-quality devices to remain the most uncontroversial.

Oxygen Supply Accessories

The pandemic has hit hard. As the illness gets severe, the need for oxygen increases. Oxygen treatment is vital for people in COVID-19. Zen-O™ Portable Oxygen Concentrator can also be taken on rent. It provides people with more oxygen than that present in the normal air. It is a sign of hope for respiratory disorders.

You can see the patient recovery rate get enhanced with oxygen therapy. The oxygen concentrator can give equal treatment to both in-house and hospital patients. The device is mobile and weighs 10 pounds. Patients feeling the need for a ventilator even get recover with effective oxygen therapy.

What to Consider?

Staying in the queue and waiting for the approval of Medicare is not a bad choice if the requirement is urgent. If you need the equipment now, then renting it is more economical and practical than buying. Rent of the rental period, resale value, frequency of repair, and lower monthly costs aid you in the decision. Go for buying if you think buying is more cost-effective than renting. Look at your demands, explore the solution and pick the one that touches you the most.

Prefer Quality Products

Buying quality equipment is costly but taking them on rent proves economical. This serves you with the best quality. Look for the equipment that gives you quality service. You can visit the catalog for this. Sometimes, buying is a better choice, as we have mentioned earlier. Considering the factors, contact medical supply stores for the details. The rate will be inexpensive and lower. Jot down the facts and do quality research; the elements will help you make the right decision.