Medical Equipment

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is equipment that is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, can withstand repeated use, and is appropriate for use in the home. Some examples of DME include hospital beds, walkers, wheel chairs and oxygen tents.

Medical supplies of an expendable nature, such as bandages, rubber gloves and irrigating kits are not considered by Medicare to be DME.

Medicare only covers DME if it is necessary and reasonable for the treatment of an illness or injury, or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.