Durable medical equipment for home care can make everyday activities safer and help individuals manage mobility limitations, chronic conditions, or recovery following hospitalization or surgery.
Horizon Care Services does not prescribe, sell, or supply medical equipment. Our team can help clients and authorized family members understand equipment recommendations, locate appropriate suppliers, and coordinate delivery before care begins or a client returns home.
Durable medical equipment, commonly called DME, is equipment prescribed by a doctor or another authorized healthcare professional for use in the home.
Under Original Medicare guidelines, equipment generally must:
The prescribing healthcare professional determines what equipment is medically appropriate. The equipment supplier and insurance provider determine coverage, authorization requirements, costs, and whether the item must be rented or purchased.
The equipment someone needs depends on their diagnosis, mobility, home environment, care plan, and healthcare provider’s recommendations.
Common types of home medical equipment may include:
Not every item is covered by Medicare or another insurance plan. Coverage must be confirmed before obtaining the equipment.
Medicare Part B may cover medically necessary durable medical equipment when it is ordered by a Medicare-enrolled doctor or other authorized healthcare professional for use in the home.
The equipment must also be obtained from a Medicare-enrolled supplier. Clients should ask whether the supplier accepts Medicare assignment because this can affect out-of-pocket costs.
Under Original Medicare, after the Part B deductible is met, the client generally pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Costs may be different when:
Medicare Advantage plans must provide at least the coverage offered by Original Medicare, but network, authorization, supplier, and cost-sharing rules may differ. Clients should contact their plan before ordering equipment.
Visit Medicare’s durable medical equipment coverage page for current information.
This information concerns potential Medicare coverage for equipment. It does not mean that Horizon Care Services supplies Medicare-covered equipment or is a Medicare-certified equipment provider.
The statement that “Medicare coverage stops at the bathroom door” should not be used because coverage is determined by the specific item and the individual’s medical eligibility.
For example, Medicare Part B may cover a medically necessary commode chair when prescribed for home use. However, many common home-safety products may not qualify as durable medical equipment under Original Medicare.
Items that may require private payment can include:
Some Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid programs, veterans’ benefits, or community programs may provide additional assistance. Clients should verify coverage directly with their insurance plan and equipment supplier.
Whether equipment is rented or purchased depends on:
Medicare handles different types of equipment differently. Depending on the item, the client may need to rent it, purchase it, or choose between renting and purchasing.
Some capped-rental items may become the client’s property after a specified number of continuous rental payments. For example, Medicare generally treats eligible CPAP machines as a 13-month continuous rental before ownership transfers. Oxygen equipment follows different rental and supplier-responsibility rules.
Clients should not assume that the same rental period applies to every piece of equipment. Ask the supplier to explain:
A healthcare provider may recommend a supplier, but clients should confirm the supplier’s enrollment, insurance participation, delivery policies, and support services before placing an order.
Questions to ask include:
Medicare provides an official medical equipment supplier directory that can help families locate enrolled suppliers.
When equipment is recommended for a client, Horizon Care Services may help coordinate practical details with the client, authorized family members, discharge planners, healthcare professionals, and selected equipment suppliers.
Coordination may include:
Horizon Care Services does not prescribe equipment, determine Medicare eligibility, guarantee insurance coverage, install or repair medical equipment, or replace the advice of a licensed healthcare professional or qualified equipment supplier.
Medical equipment can be helpful, but some individuals may still need personal assistance at home. Depending on the client’s care plan, Horizon caregivers may assist with:
Caregivers perform only those services permitted by their credentials, assigned responsibilities, and scope of practice. Equipment operation that requires clinical training must be handled by an appropriately qualified professional.
Horizon Care Services assists clients throughout its licensed service area, including communities such as North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Port St. Lucie.
If you or someone you love needs private-duty home care or assistance coordinating recommended equipment, call 561-776-7757 (toll-free 877-227-3890) or contact Horizon Care Services.
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Kindly take a moment to complete the form and a member of our team will reach out to you as soon as possible.
If you're currently experiencing an emergency situation, it would be best to call 911.
