05/26/2026
âš¡Medicare DME Snapshot (Scroll Down for Full Details & Infographics)
Medicare covers durable medical equipment (DME) like wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen if it's prescribed by your doctor and meant for home use. DME must be durable and medically necessary. Prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (like glucose monitors and test strips) are also covered. Coverage is the same for Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. To check if your equipment is covered or to find a supplier, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit medicare.gov.
Medicare & DME: The Full Story
Durable medical equipment (DME) is equipment that helps you complete your daily activities. It includes a variety of items, such as walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen tanks. Medicare usually covers DME if the equipment:
• Is durable, meaning it is able to withstand repeated use
• Serves a medical purpose
• Is appropriate for use in the home, although you can also use it outside the home
• And is likely to last for three years or more
To be covered by Part B, DME must be prescribed by your primary care provider (P*P). If you are in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or are a hospital inpatient, DME is covered by Part A.
Medicare also covers prosthetics (devices that replace all or part of a bodily organ), orthotics (certain supports for body parts), and supplies. This equipment falls under the broad category called durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).
Whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, the types of Medicare-covered equipment are the same.
Examples of DME include:
• Wheelchairs
• Walkers
• Hospital beds
• Power scooters
• Portable oxygen equipment
• Blood glucose monitors
Prosthetics can include prosthetic devices that replace all or part of an internal bodily organ–including catheters for permanent conditions artificial legs, arms, and eyes.
Orthotics include rigid or semi-rigid leg, arm, back, and neck braces.
Medical supplies include diabetes test strips and lancets used with glucose monitors. It also includes some prescription medications and supplies used with covered DME, like medications used with nebulizers.
To find out if Medicare covers the equipment or supplies you need, or to find a DME supplier in your area, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov. You can also learn about Medicare coverage of DME by contacting your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
