Yes. Durable medical equipment (DME) is covered only if a physician prescribes it. Often, physicians will provide a statement describing the need for DME and its therapeutic value.
For equipment to classify as DME, it must not only be medically necessary but also generally used for medical purposes. An air conditioner, for example, while it might be medically necessary for an individual patient, is not generally considered to be for medical purposes and is, therefore, not covered.
Beneficiaries pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount. Medicare pays for different kinds of DME in different ways: some equipment may be rented, while other equipment may be purchased. Medicare will only cover your DME if the prescribing doctor or supplier is enrolled in Medicare. If a beneficiary uses an outside supplier, Medicare will not limit how much the supplier can charge, and beneficiaries may have to pay the entire bill (including Medicare's share) at the time the DME is received.
