Medical equipment and supplies used in the home are called durable medical equipment (DME). Medicare specifies what equipment is covered and what is not. Examples of covered items are:
Personal items, such as hearing aids and dentures, are examples of items that are not covered.
Medicare is a federal government program. It provides healthcare coverage for people age 65 or older. It also provides coverage for people of any age who have certain disabilities.
Medicare is divided into 2 parts: Part A and Part B. Each part covers different services. Both parts pay toward costs for services that are medically necessary.
Generally, Medicare Part B helps pay for medical equipment that meets the following requirements:
Medicare pays for different kinds of medical equipment in different ways. Some equipment must be rented. Other equipment must be purchased. Some equipment may be rented or purchased. Medicare pays for rentals lasting no longer than 15 months.
Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount. You pay the other 20% plus your deductible. If the supplier has not agreed to accept the amount Medicare offers to pay as payment in full, you may be billed additional fees.
For more information, call Medicare at 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Or visit the Web site at http://www.medicare.gov.
