Medicare refers to all medical equipment as Durable Medical Equipment, or DME. Medicare covers most DME as long as the equipment is medically neccessary, prescribed by a physician, and appropriate for the patients diagnosis. Medicare covers DME under the Part B benefit only.

Medicare determines the rate it will pay for each item. This is called the "allowable". Of this allowable, Medicare will pay 80% and the patient will be responsible for the 20% balance or "co-pay".

If you have a secondary insurance, they will pay the 20% co-pay. This bill is usually transfered directly to the secondary insurance company by Medicare.

If you have a question about your coverage, our insurance staff is available to help you Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time.