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In short What counts as durable medical equipment What you pay The doctor and supplier rules Renting versus owning If Medicare says no Common questions SourcesIf your doctor says you need medical equipment at home, Medicare Part B usually covers it as durable medical equipment: walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, CPAP machines, oxygen equipment, glucose monitors and more. After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, as long as both your doctor and the supplier are enrolled in Medicare.
What counts as durable medical equipment
Medicare’s definition: the item must be durable enough for repeated use, used for a medical reason, typically only useful to someone sick or injured, used in your home, and expected to last at least 3 years. Medicare.gov’s list includes canes, commode chairs, CPAP therapy equipment, crutches, glucose monitors and supplies, hospital beds, infusion pumps, oxygen equipment, patient lifts, traction equipment, walkers and wheelchairs.
What you pay
You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting the yearly Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026. One catch that surprises people: if the supplier does not accept assignment, meaning the price Medicare approves, you can be charged more. Ask the supplier before you accept the equipment.
The doctor and supplier rules
Coverage requires a doctor or treating provider to say the equipment is medically necessary for use in your home, and some items need extra documentation or prior authorization. The supplier must be enrolled in Medicare; equipment from a non-enrolled supplier is not covered at all. Medicare.gov’s supplier directory lets you check.
Renting versus owning
Medicare rents some equipment and buys other items outright, depending on the item. CPAP machines and oxygen equipment, for example, are typically rented for a period before you own them. If Medicare has already paid for a rental, repairs and replacement rules differ, so ask the supplier who handles maintenance before signing.
If Medicare says no
If coverage is denied, the denial notice explains why and how to appeal; Medicare has its own multi-level appeals process. For everyday savings on supplies Medicare does not cover, like syringes or some testing supplies, our guides on HSA and FSA accounts and saving on prescriptions may help. If premiums themselves are the strain, see Medicare Savings Programs.
- Medicare.gov - Durable medical equipment coverage
- CMS - 2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles
Common questions
Does Medicare cover a CPAP machine?
Yes, CPAP therapy equipment is on Medicare.gov’s covered DME list when it is medically necessary and the supplier is enrolled in Medicare. After the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the approved amount.
Will Medicare pay for a wheelchair or scooter?
If a doctor certifies it is medically necessary for use in your home, yes, at 20% coinsurance after the deductible. Equipment needed only outside the home does not meet the DME definition.
Do I pay anything up front?
After meeting the $283 Part B deductible for the year, you owe 20% of the Medicare-approved amount per item. Suppliers who do not accept assignment can charge more, so confirm before accepting equipment.
Can Pymander answer equipment questions?
Pymander can explain coverage terms and help you list what to ask your doctor or supplier. It does not supply equipment or handle claims. Pymander is available in all 50 states.