Durable medical equipment

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) refers to any equipment that provides therapeutic benefits to a patient in need due to certain medical conditions and/or illnesses. This equipment is designed for repeated use, primarily at home, and must be prescribed by a doctor.

Definition

Durable Medical Equipment is defined as equipment that can withstand repeated use, is primarily used to serve a medical purpose, is generally not useful to a person in the absence of an illness or injury, and is appropriate for use in the home. All requirements must be met to qualify for coverage.

Types of Durable Medical Equipment

DME includes, but is not limited to, wheelchairs, hospital beds, prosthetics, orthotics, and oxygen concentrators.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are devices with wheels that are used when walking is difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, or disability.

Hospital Beds

Hospital beds are specially designed for patients who need healthcare, either in a hospital or at home.

Prosthetics

Prosthetics are artificial devices that replace a missing body part, which may be lost through trauma, disease, or a condition present at birth.

Orthotics

Orthotics are devices that are applied externally to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal system.

Oxygen Concentrators

Oxygen concentrators are devices that concentrate the oxygen from a gas supply by selectively removing nitrogen to supply an oxygen-enriched product gas stream.

Coverage

DME is covered by most health insurance policies, including Medicare and Medicaid, but the coverage varies depending on the insurance company and the specific policy. It is important to check with the insurance provider to determine what is covered and what is not.

See Also

• Home medical equipment
• Assistive technology

References

Durable medical equipment Resources
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