Durable Medical Equipment Covered by Medicare in 2026

What Is Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Under Medicare?

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) refers to medically prescribed equipment that provides therapeutic benefit to patients due to certain medical conditions or illnesses. Under Medicare, DME must meet strict criteria: it must be durable enough to withstand repeated use, have an expected lifespan of at least three years, serve a medical purpose, be primarily useful to someone who is injured or sick, and be used at home. To be eligible for Medicare coverage, a DME must be prescribed by a Medicare-enrolled healthcare provider as medically necessary.

Which Durable Medical Equipment Does Medicare Cover in 2026?

Full Table: List of Covered DME (2026 Updated)

Equipment Type	Example	Rental/Purchase
Mobility Aids	Manual wheelchairs, power scooters, walkers, canes, crutches	Rental or purchase (depending on item & cost)
Hospital Beds	Electric or manual hospital beds	Rental
Bathroom Equipment	Commode chairs	Rental or purchase
Respiratory Equipment	Oxygen equipment, CPAP machines, ventilators, nebulizers	Rental (special rules for oxygen)
Infusion Pumps	Insulin pumps, external infusion devices	Rental or purchase
Monitoring Equipment	Blood glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors, test strips	Purchase
Patient Lifts	Manual and electric lifts for moving patients	Rental or purchase
Support Surfaces	Pressure-reducing mattresses, overlays	Rental
Suction and Traction Devices	Portable suction machines, traction equipment	Rental or purchase
Other	Continuous passive motion devices, commode chairs	Rental or purchase

For the full, downloadable list and up-to-date eligibility criteria, use the Coverage Checker Tool featured below.

Rental vs. Purchase Rules for DME

Medicare distinguishes between goods that should primarily be rented (such as hospital beds and most power mobility devices) and those routinely purchased (like blood glucose monitors or walkers). For DME with an approved price at or below $150, you’ll typically be able to choose between renting or purchasing. If you choose to rent, your payments are capped-once cumulative rental payments reach the equipment’s purchase price, you own it. Higher-cost equipment, such as hospital beds and power wheelchairs, are subject to “capped rental” periods, usually lasting 13 months, after which you may gain ownership.

Special Rules: Oxygen Equipment & Power Mobility Devices

Oxygen concentrators and oxygen accessories are rented, not purchased. Medicare covers 80% of rental costs for 36 months. After this period, suppliers must continue providing the equipment for up to two additional years at no cost to you. For power mobility devices such as power wheelchairs or scooters, Medicare may require prior authorization and will generally approve a capped rental arrangement. Always ensure you have documentation of medical necessity for these items, as Medicare will closely review eligibility.

What DME Is Not Covered by Medicare?

Examples of Non-Covered Items

Medicare covers DME that is durable, medically necessary, and intended for home use. The following examples typically aren’t covered:

• Equipment not primarily medical in nature (e.g., grab bars, stairway elevators)
• Comfort, convenience, or personal hygiene items (e.g., air conditioners, humidifiers, shower chairs, bathtubs)
• Upgraded or luxury versions of covered DME not medically necessary
• Duplicate equipment serving the same function

Common Confusions: Home Modifications, Disposable Items

Common misconceptions include coverage for home modifications like ramps, widened doorways, or bathroom renovations. These are typically excluded. Frequent-use, disposable items such as adult diapers, surgical face masks, and bandages are also not covered as DME, even though they may be essential for daily care. Always verify coverage via your supplier or check via the interactive Coverage Checker Tool.

How to Qualify for Medicare DME Coverage

Medical Necessity Explained

Medicare requires that DME be “medically necessary.” This means your doctor must determine that the equipment is essential to treat or manage a diagnosed medical condition. Medical necessity is documented via medical records, provider notes, and sometimes a Certificate of Medical Necessity, especially for high-cost or complex equipment.

Prescription Requirements

To qualify for DME coverage, you’ll need a written order (prescription) from a Medicare-enrolled healthcare provider specifying:

• The nature of your medical condition
• The type of DME required
• Why this equipment is medically necessary for use in your home

As of 2026, Medicare requires a Standard Written Order (SWO) for every DME item billed. Your supplier can guide you through these paperwork requirements.

Face-to-Face Evaluation Rules

For certain equipment (such as power wheelchairs), Medicare mandates that you complete a face-to-face evaluation with your provider before obtaining a prescription. This evaluation ensures your DME is truly necessary and not duplicative or inappropriate.

Prior Authorization for Certain Equipment

Some types of DME, especially power mobility devices and select prosthetics, require prior authorization from Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan before a supplier can provide or bill for the equipment. Your provider or supplier must submit this request and await approval before you can obtain the equipment.

Medicare Part B vs. Advantage: DME Coverage Differences

Original Medicare Rules

Under Original Medicare (Part B), DME coverage follows centralized rules-your out-of-pocket cost is typically 20% after you meet the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), and you must use suppliers who participate in Medicare and accept assignment. There’s also national uniformity in what DME is covered for all Medicare beneficiaries.

How Medicare Advantage Plans May Differ

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans must provide at least the same level of DME coverage as Original Medicare, but they may set their own:

• Network rules: you may need to use a specific set of DME suppliers
• Copayment structures: your share of costs may differ (sometimes higher or lower than Original Medicare)
• Prior authorization rules: these may be stricter or measured differently depending on your plan

If you switch to a Medicare Advantage plan, check your insurer’s DME supplier directory and authorization procedures. For a regional example of Advantage options, see our Top Medicare Plans in California for 2026 guide.

Network and Pre-Approval Differences

Original Medicare lets you use any supplier nationwide who accepts assignment, while Medicare Advantage plans may restrict you to particular network providers. If you need to verify network status, see our Medicare In Network Providers Guide for 2026. Regardless, always reconfirm prior authorization or referral needs.

Costs of Medicare-Covered DME in 2026

2026 Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts

The annual Medicare Part B deductible for 2026 is $283. Once you’ve met this deductible, Medicare covers 80% of the approved DME cost; you pay the remaining 20% as coinsurance. For example, if a wheelchair is billed at $900, you pay $180 after meeting your deductible.

Capped Rental Periods

Certain high-cost equipment (hospital beds, power wheelchairs, oxygen systems) falls under a “capped rental” system. Medicare will pay the monthly rental for up to 13 months, or in some cases, 36 months (such as for oxygen equipment). After the capped rental period, you may either own the equipment or, for oxygen equipment, the supplier continues to provide service at no charge through a 5-year period.

Who Owns the Equipment After Rental?

For most capped rental items, after all Medicare-directed rental payments are complete, the equipment belongs to you. This means ongoing maintenance or repairs can be covered by Medicare if medically necessary and ordered by your physician.

Saving on Out-of-Pocket Costs

To minimize your DME costs, always use a supplier that works with Medicare and accepts assignment. You can also explore supplemental coverage or Medicaid, which may assist with or reduce coinsurance. Check out our explainer on Medicare funding and cost management strategies for additional tips.

How to Obtain DME: Prescriptions, Suppliers, and Approvals

Finding Medicare-Approved DME Suppliers

Start by searching for “Medicare DME suppliers near me” and confirm that any supplier you choose is Medicare-enrolled and accepts assignment. Many suppliers provide an online lookup option; for state-specific contacts, refer to the Supplier Search Links by State in our Tools & Resources section. If you’re unsure where to submit related paperwork, consult this state-by-state Medicare claims guide.

Assignment and Billing: What to Ask Suppliers

Ask your supplier these key questions:

• Do you accept Medicare assignment?
• What will my out-of-pocket costs be?
• Who is responsible for filing paperwork with Medicare?
• How is maintenance or servicing handled after I receive the equipment?

Using a supplier who accepts assignment prevents unexpected costs and ensures you pay only the Medicare-allowed coinsurance and deductible.

Appealing a Denial for DME Coverage

If Medicare denies your DME claim, you are entitled to appeal. Start by reviewing the denial notice to understand the reason. Ask your doctor or supplier to provide additional medical necessity documentation and formally request a redetermination. The appeals process is outlined in the paperwork you receive; for more guidance, refer to Medicare’s official appeals instructions or contact your local health insurance advocacy center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Answers: Top 5 Medicare DME Questions

• Do I need a prescription for DME? Yes, always. Your healthcare provider must write a prescription detailing both your medical condition and the specific equipment needed.
• What if my equipment is damaged, lost, or stolen? Medicare covers repair or replacement in these cases. Get a new prescription and notify your supplier promptly.
• Can I change my supplier? Absolutely, provided you choose another Medicare-enrolled supplier that accepts assignment.
• What happens after five years of using oxygen equipment? After five years, your supplier’s obligation ends. If you still need oxygen, you can get new equipment from any Medicare-enrolled supplier; the 36/60 month cycles restart.
• Does Medicare Advantage offer the same DME coverage? Yes, but network and cost variables differ. Review your plan’s detailed guidelines every year during enrollment.

Additional Tools & Resources

2026 Cost Estimator Table

DME Item	Average Allowed Price	You Pay (20% After Deductible)
Standard Manual Wheelchair	$900	$180
Oxygen Concentrator (Rental per Month)	$300	$60
Hospital Bed (Rental per Month)	$200	$40
CPAP Machine	$650	$130
Blood Glucose Monitor	$75	$15
Commode Chair	$90	$18

Interactive Coverage Checker Tool

Use our Interactive Coverage Checker Tool to verify whether specific equipment is covered under your Medicare plan in 2026 and to compare coverage rules between plans and states.

Supplier Search Links by State

Find the nearest Medicare DME suppliers and their assignment status. For more detailed supplier contacts and claims addresses, access the up-to-date Where to Send Medicare Claims by State (2026 Guide), or use the links in our resource hub for state-by-state information.