4 Types Of Durable Medical Equipment Covered By Medicare Health Plans

Medical costs can be expensive. This is especially true during an ongoing illness where you or a loved one need medical equipment in your home. Some of these devices and equipment can cost thousands of dollars if you pay for them out of your pocket. Fortunately, if you have Medicare, some of this durable medical equipment (DME) is covered. Here are a few items you may need.

1. Diabetes Meters and Test Strips

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you are not alone. Approximately 37.3 million people or 1 in 10 people in the U.S. suffer from the disease. There are approximately 96 million more who have prediabetes and are at risk of developing the disease.

When you have diabetes it is critical to test your blood sugar levels using a diabetes meter and test strips. Depending on where you purchase these supplies, they can be expensive. Fortunately, this is one of the things Medicare part B insurance plans covers.

2. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Devices

Another common diagnosis as you age is obstructive sleep apnea. This diagnosis normally is given to patients following a sleep study who complain of exhaustion, morning headaches, and inability to focus. 

One of the best ways to treat obstructive sleep apnea is with a continuous positive airway pressure device that is most commonly called a CPAP machine. These machines use a fitted mask on the user during sleep. The machine then sends the correct amount of oxygen to the body of the sleeper. 

3. Hospital Beds

Some conditions require the use of a hospital bed in the home. Hospital beds allow for easier positioning in the bed. With adjustable head and foot panels, you can ease certain conditions such as edema and respiratory issues.

Hospital beds can be very expensive to purchase. But as long as the beds are deemed medically necessary by your doctor, Medicare Part B Plans will cover them. 

4. Patient Lifts

If you or your loved one are unable to transfer yourself from your bed to your chair or are non-weight bearing, you may need the assistance of a lift. Lifts can be manual, electric, or battery-operated. Not only can lifts make your life easier, but they can also help protect caregivers from lifting injuries.

To get coverage through Medicare health plans any equipment must be obtained from a Medicare-enrolled supplier. The supplier must accept assignment which means they agree to accept the Medicare-approved amount minus any coinsurance you have. For more information, contact a company like KC Medicare Helper.

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