Durable Medical Equipment Medicare: What’s Covered and How to Get It

When you need durable medical equipment, physical devices prescribed for long-term use to support medical conditions. Also known as DME, it includes items like wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen tanks, and yes—even adjustable beds. This isn’t luxury. It’s essential for safety, mobility, and daily living. Medicare Part B can help pay for these tools if they’re medically necessary, prescribed by a doctor, and bought from a Medicare-approved supplier. But not everything labeled "medical" gets covered. The line between what’s covered and what’s not trips up a lot of people.

Let’s break it down. Medicare coverage, the portion of healthcare costs paid by the federal program for people 65+ or with certain disabilities doesn’t just kick in because you have a diagnosis. You need documentation—your doctor must state why you need the equipment, how it helps your condition, and why it’s not something you can rent or borrow. For example, a tempurpedic adjustable bed, a specialized bed that lifts head or feet to ease breathing, circulation, or pain might be covered if you have sleep apnea or severe arthritis, but not if you just want to watch TV in bed. The same goes for home medical devices, tools used in the home to assist with daily health needs like commodes, hospital beds, or nebulizers. They’re covered only if they’re used for treatment, not comfort.

What you pay depends on your plan. After you meet your Part B deductible, Medicare typically pays 80% of the approved amount. You’re left with 20%—plus any extra costs if you buy from a non-approved vendor. Many people don’t realize they can rent equipment first. If you only need it temporarily, renting saves money. And if you’re unsure what’s covered, your doctor’s office or a Medicare counselor can help you sort it out. No guessing. No surprises.

This page pulls together real questions people actually ask—like whether Medicare pays for an adjustable bed, how to prove medical need, or what alternatives exist if coverage falls short. You’ll find clear answers from posts that cut through the confusion. No fluff. Just what works, what doesn’t, and how to make sure you’re not overpaying for something you’re already entitled to.