How does Medicare Cover Durable Medical Equipment?

Durable medical equipment (DME)

Medicare covers items like oxygen equipment and supplies, wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds ordered by a doctor or other health care provider enrolled in Medicare for use in the home. Some items must be rented.  You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies. If you have a Medi Gap plan, that should pay the 20%!   Medicare Advantage, check the summary of benefits or EOC Evidence of Coverage.

Make sure your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. Doctors and suppliers have to meet strict standards to enroll and stay enrolled in Medicare. If your doctors or suppliers aren’t enrolled, Medicare won’t pay the claims they submit. It’s also important to ask your suppliers if they participate in Medicare before you get DME. If suppliers are participating suppliers, they must accept assignment (that is, they’re limited to charging you only coinsurance and the Part B deductible for the Medicare-approved amount). If suppliers aren’t participating and don’t accept assignment, there’s no limit on the amount they can charge you.

To find suppliers who accept assignment, visit Medicare.gov/supplierdirectory or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE if you’re having problems with your DME supplier, or you need to file a complaint. ^{Copied from Medicare & You – see link in side panel}

What about Stair Lifts?

acorn stair lifts.com

Medical Necessity of Stair Lifts & Lifting devices Clinical Bulletin?

Durable Medical Equipment

Seat Life Mechanisms

Do Condominiums have to provide stair lifts, under ADA?

Pride Mobility.com Steps to get Medicare to pay

Law Dictionary.com Does Insurance Cover Stair Lift?

hhs.gov research 1989