You may still be responsible for copays, and your Part B deductible applies. You also have to purchase the items from a Medicare-approved supplier. The doctor must note that the equipment is medically necessary for a designated period of time. Medicare will only cover DME if it’s prescribed by a doctor who participates in the Medicare program. The device must be designed for repeat, not one-time, use.It should be expected to last for a minimum of 3 years.It’s not useful for someone with no illness or injuries.It must be intended for use in the home.It must be used for a specific medical purpose.To qualify as DME, the device must meet a specific medical necessity and conform to the following criteria: Essentially, durable medical equipment is reusable medical equipment like walkers, wheelchairs, or hospital beds. Medicare Part B only provides coverage for what it terms “Durable Medical Equipment” or DME. Medicare’s Durable Medical Equipment Coverage Terms Shower chairs and grab bars can help prevent those falls.Īlthough Medicare is slowly allowing coverage for non-medical items like non-skilled home care services, it still considers items like shower chairs, grab bars, and stair lifts as “comfort or convenience items” that aren’t “medically necessary.” That’s a shame because these bathroom modifications can help seniors age in place, staying in their own homes for as long as possible.įortunately, seniors do have alternatives that may help cover the cost of bathroom safety equipment outside of Medicare. Falls on stairs and in bathrooms are substantially more likely to require medical treatment and/or hospitalization. They account for an estimated $31 billion in healthcare spending each year. Of course, many senior advocates criticize the policy because falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults in the United States. In most cases, traditional Medicare Part B doesn’t cover bathroom safety equipment like shower chairs, grab bars, and other assistive devices as they are not considered to be durable medical equipment, or DME. But what about devices and equipment that can make aging in place easier? Medicare can help to pay for preventative care, skilled nursing care, hospital visits, and more. However, amidst some confusion and difficult decisions, Medicare can significantly offset the cost of healthcare costs. And even still, more than half of Medicare users report having some type of problem with coverage in the past year. The selection windows, red tape, and different policy options can make navigating Medicare difficult. If you’re unclear about what exactly Medicare covers, and what it doesn’t, you aren’t alone.
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