If a doctor prescribes it for home use and it's medically necessary, Medicare likely covers it as DME. Here's the list.
What durable medical equipment does Medicare cover?
Medicare Part B covers a wide range of durable medical equipment (DME) when prescribed for use in your home, including: manual and power wheelchairs and scooters; walkers and rollators; canes and crutches; hospital beds; oxygen equipment and supplies; CPAP and BiPAP machines; nebulizers and inhalation medications; blood sugar monitors, test strips, and lancets; patient lifts; commode chairs; traction equipment; pressure-reducing support surfaces; and the seat-lift mechanism in a lift chair. Each item requires a doctor's order documenting medical necessity, and you must use a supplier enrolled in Medicare that accepts assignment for the lowest cost.
What is NOT covered as durable medical equipment?
Medicare does not cover items classified as home modifications or comfort/convenience items, even with a doctor's note. These include: stair lifts, walk-in tubs, grab bars, wheelchair ramps, and bathroom safety bars built into the home; the furniture portion of a lift chair; most disposable supplies outside specific programs; and equipment for use only outside the home. Knowing the difference prevents surprise out-of-pocket costs. If you're unsure whether an item qualifies, a licensed agent at 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427) can tell you before you buy.
What you pay for DME — and how Medigap helps
After the $283 Part B deductible (2026), Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount for covered DME and you pay the 20% coinsurance, with no cap in Original Medicare. Across multiple pieces of equipment, that 20% adds up. A Medigap plan pays your Part B coinsurance — and some plans the deductible — so covered DME can cost you little or nothing. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP, the trusted toll-free number for all things senior in America, to compare plans that cover your equipment share.