Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage cover durable medical equipment (DME) that is medically necessary, prescribed for use at home, and obtained from an approved supplier.

Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans pay for some of the costs of approved medical equipment and devices. Your out-of-pocket costs vary depending on the plan and whether you rent or buy the product.

To seek approval:

  • Schedule an in-person visit with your doctor. During the visit, your doctor will write an order for the DME, prosthetic, or orthotics if they deem it medically necessary.
  • Find out whether Medicare requires prior authorization for the item. Your doctor can help you learn more about this process.
  • Take the order to a Medicare-approved supplier. Depending on the specific item, ask whether the supplier will deliver it to your home.

Medicare Part B defines DME as devices, supplies, or equipment used repeatedly in your home for medical purposes.

DME products are meant to help you manage a health condition, recover from an injury or illness, or recover from surgery. They should help you maintain your daily activities at home.

Medicare does not cover DME during a short-term stay at a skilled nursing facility or hospital. That said, if you live in one of these facilities long term, Medicare does consider it your home and will cover approved DME.

Medicare pays for only the basic level of DME products available for any given condition. Every time you need new equipment, your doctor must order it for you and may need to provide documentation stating its medical necessity.

List of durable medical equipment covered by Medicare

Some examples of durable medical equipment include:

To learn whether a specific piece of equipment or device is covered, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program or Medicare Advantage plan provider.

Medicare usually doesn’t cover the following equipment or supplies:

  • DME that you use only outside of your home: For example, Medicare won’t cover a motorized scooter if you use it outdoors but don’t need it to get around your home.
  • DME that is not suitable for home use: Examples include certain types of beds and bath units that are designed for use in hospitals or other medical centers but not in homes.
  • Equipment or supplies that are delivered outside the United States: These include items that you purchase or order from a company in the United States to be delivered to another country.
  • Equipment or supplies that aren’t considered medically necessary: These include products intended for comfort, convenience, or cosmetic purposes.
  • Equipment or supplies to modify your home: Examples include grab bars, stair lifts, wheelchair ramps, and widened doors to accommodate a wheelchair or scooter.
  • Most disposable or single-use products: For example, Medicare typically doesn’t cover catheters, incontinence pads, or personal protective equipment such as gloves and face masks, although it may cover some of these supplies when used as part of a home healthcare service. Catheters may be covered if you use them to manage a permanent condition.
  • Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids: These products are not typically covered under original Medicare, although there are some specific exceptions. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer extra vision or hearing benefits that may cover the costs of some of these products.
  • Orthopedic shoes: These are typically not covered, but there may be some specific exceptions, such as when the shoes are required for a leg brace or prescribed for diabetes.

Medicare also won’t cover the costs of replacing defective medical equipment or devices if they’re covered under a warranty or may be replaced for free.

Medicare Part B covers DME. Typically, after meeting your Medicare Part B deductible for the year, Part B will pay for 80% of the Medicare-approved cost of your equipment once you meet your annual deductible of $257. The remaining 20% comes out of your pocket as coinsurance. You also have to pay a monthly premium, which starts at $185 in 2025, depending on your income.

Your payment might differ depending on the specific DME item. Additionally, you might have the option to rent or purchase the equipment. In both cases, you have to use a Medicare-approved supplier.

Part B will cover the same percentage of your rental cost as it would out of your purchase cose. After 13 months of making rental payments, you will be considered the equipment owner.

If you sign up for Medicare Advantage (Part C) instead of Original Medicare (parts A and B), you’ll get the same coverage for DME. That said, private insurers manage these plans and set different premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance depending on your plan.

According to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare (CMS), the average monthly premium for Part C plans is around $17.00 in 2025. In addition, to be enrolled in a Part C plan, you still have to pay the Part B premium. That said, some Part C may cover your Part B premium.

If a medical device or supply is covered, Medicare will not start paying until you have met your deductible.

To maintain your coverage, you will also need to pay the applicable coinsurance or copayment fees and monthly premiums. Medigap can help offset the costs of coinsurance and copayment fees from original Medicare.

Although most DME products are rented, you may have the option to buy certain equipment based on the specific product and your insurance plan.

You can contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program for more information on what is covered and how to get a DME, prosthetic, or orthotic product from an approved supplier.