Benefits & Extras
Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
Quick answer
DME is reusable medical equipment prescribed for use at home — walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen equipment, CPAPs, hospital beds. It's covered under Part B when medically necessary.
Plain-English definition
You typically pay 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible when using a Medicare-approved supplier.
Why it matters
Using an approved supplier keeps costs predictable.
A simple example
Your doctor prescribes a CPAP; a Medicare-approved supplier bills Part B.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
Related terms
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B is the medical insurance half of Original Medicare. It covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive screenings, mental health services, and durable medical equipment.
Home Health Care
Home health care covers skilled nursing, physical therapy, and other services delivered at home for beneficiaries who are homebound and under a physician's care plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to rent or buy?+
It varies by equipment type.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.