Bpc#1: How To Get The Right Medical Equipment
* National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2015). Caregiving in the U.S
Getting the right durable medical equipment or DME (which is the official umbrella term for any medical equipment like walkers, wheelchairs, canes, etc.) can be cumbersome and difficult. Why? Because in order for an insurance company to approve DME, they need information from your physician (and sometimes this includes backdated notes/information). If your insurance company approves the DME, then the DME company needs to get you what you need and submit a reimbursement claim to the insurance company. Medicare, through which a lot of individuals over 65 get their DME, has a list of approved DME. They’ll cover 80% of the allowable cost. You cover 20% plus your Part B deductible.
You can typically get equipment in two main ways:
- Pay for it out of pocket. This makes it easier to pick what you want and you typically can get it faster because the insurance company doesn’t have to be involved..
- Use your insurance. This usually means it’s free or you have a low co-pay. It may take more time to get it, but not having to pay for it is a plus, especially if it’s something expensive like a hoyer lift.
RESOURCES
Tomorrow Health is an excellent resource in helping you find the right medical equipment and in navigating your way through the insurance process. They’ll work with your doctor and your insurance to get you the right products at the right prices.
DME Supply USA is an online DME store through which you can view, sort, and purchase DME.
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