Medicare Durable Medical Equipment: Eligibility and Supplier Rules

Adapted from Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment & Other Devices, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The selected guidance concerns Medicare coverage and payment, not a recommendation for medical treatment. Numbered page references below refer to the linked source publication.

Coverage can depend on medical necessity, the setting, provider participation, and your plan’s rules. Use the cited publication for the full conditions and check the plan year when comparing costs or enrollment choices.

What’s Durable Medical Equipment (DME)?

About this booklet

This booklet explains Original Medicare coverage of DME and what you might need to pay. DME is reusable medical equipment. It includes items like:

• Home oxygen equipment
• Hospital beds
• Walkers
• Wheelchairs

Words in blue are defined on pages 17–18.

About this booklet (continued)

This booklet also explains coverage for:

• Prosthetic devices like

– Ostomy supplies – Urinary catheters – Certain eyeglasses and contact lenses

• Orthotics, such as braces for

– Leg – Arm – Back

• Artificial limbs including

– Legs – Arms – Eyes

It’s important to know what Medicare covers and what you may need to pay. Talk to your doctor if you think you need some type of DME.

If I have Medicare, can I get DME?

Anyone who has Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) can get DME as long as the equipment is medically necessary.

When does Original Medicare cover DME?

Medicare Part B covers DME when your doctor or other health care provider (like a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or clinical nurse specialist) prescribes it for you to use in your home. A hospital or nursing home that’s providing you with Medicare-covered care can’t qualify as your “home” in this situation. However, a long-term care facility can qualify as your home.

Note: If you’re in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) as part of a stay covered under Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance), the facility is responsible for providing any DME you need while you’re in the facility for up to 100 days.

What if I need DME, and I’m in a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Medicare Advantage Plans must cover the same medically necessary categories of DME items as Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). However, the suppliers you get your DME from and your specific costs will depend on which Medicare Advantage Plan you belong to.

If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan and you need DME, contact your plan to find out if it will cover the DME. If your Medicare Advantage Plan won’t cover a DME item or service that you believe you need, you can appeal your Medicare Advantage Plan’s denial of coverage and get an independent review of your request for coverage. You can also find a description of your Medicare Advantage Plan cost-sharing for all Medicare covered services, including supplemental benefits offered by your Medicare Advantage Plan, in its “Evidence of Coverage” document.

If you’re getting home care or using medical equipment and you choose to join a new Medicare Advantage Plan, call your new plan as soon as possible to make sure they’ll continue to cover any Medicare DME items or services you’re using.

Note: If your plan leaves Medicare and you’re using medical equipment, like oxygen or a wheelchair, call the phone number on your Medicare Advantage Plan card and ask about DME coverage options. They can tell you how to get care under Original Medicare or a new Medicare Advantage Plan.

If I have Original Medicare, how do I get the DME I need?

If you need DME in your home, your doctor or treating provider (like a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or clinical nurse specialist) must prescribe the type of equipment you need by filling out an order. For some equipment, Medicare may also require your doctor to provide additional information documenting your medical need for the equipment. Your supplier will work to make sure your doctor submits all required information to Medicare. If your needs and/or condition change, your doctor must complete and submit a new, updated order.

If I have Original Medicare, how do I get the DME I need? (continued)

Medicare only covers DME if you get it from a supplier enrolled in Medicare. This means that the supplier has been approved by Medicare and has a Medicare supplier number. When you contact a supplier, be sure to ask whether they agree to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment (so you’ll pay less out of pocket). Visit Medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers to find a supplier in your area.

What questions can I ask to help me when I’m looking for a supplier?

You can ask questions like these:

• Are you a Medicare-enrolled supplier?
• Do you accept assignment? For more information, go to page 10.
• If you don’t accept assignment, will you consider assignment in my case?
• If you won’t consider assignment, what’s your non-assignment charge?
• Will you bill Medicare for me?

A supplier enrolled in Medicare must meet strict standards to qualify for a Medicare supplier number. If your supplier doesn’t have a supplier number, Medicare won’t pay your claim, even if your supplier is a large chain or department store that sells more than just DME.

Does Medicare cover power wheelchairs & scooters?

For Medicare to cover a power wheelchair or scooter, your doctor must state that you need it because of your medical condition. Medicare won’t cover a power wheelchair or scooter that you only need and use outside of the home.

Most suppliers who work with Medicare are honest. However, there are a few who aren’t. For example, some suppliers of medical equipment try to cheat Medicare by offering expensive power wheelchairs and scooters to people who don’t qualify for these items.

For more information about Medicare’s coverage of power wheelchairs or scooters, visit Medicare.gov/coverage/wheelchairs-scooters or read or download the fact sheet “Medicare’s Wheelchair & Scooter Benefit” at Medicare.gov/publications. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

What if my equipment needs maintenance or repairs?

It’s important to know how to get maintenance and repairs for your DME.

• If you own your equipment, the supplier who sold it to you isn’t required to repair it. Visit Medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers to find a supplier who can maintain or repair your equipment.
• If you rent equipment, your supplier must maintain and repair the equipment and keep it in good working order at all times. Your supplier must answer your calls and service, repair, or replace rented equipment whenever necessary. If your supplier doesn’t respond to your requests, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

What if my equipment or supplies are lost or damaged in a disaster or emergency?

If Original Medicare already paid for DME or supplies lost or damaged due to an emergency or disaster:

• In certain cases, Medicare will cover the cost to replace your equipment or supplies.
• Generally, Medicare will also cover the cost of loaned equipment for items (like wheelchairs) during the time your equipment is being repaired.

If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan, contact your plan directly to find out how it replaces DME or supplies lost or damaged in an emergency or disaster.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to get more information about how to replace your equipment or supplies.

NOTES

Source and further reading

Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment & Other Devices — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Public domain U.S. government educational material, accessed October 28, 2026. Fynoptic has selected sections, removed print navigation, and reformatted the text for this guide. The agency does not endorse Fynoptic.