Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME), like walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen equipment, when your doctor orders it for use at home. After you meet the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount if your supplier accepts assignment. If the supplier doesn't accept assignment, you may be charged more, so ask before you get the equipment.
What counts as durable medical equipment?
Medicare.gov describes DME as equipment that's durable, used for a medical reason, not usually useful to someone who isn't sick or injured, used in your home, and expected to last at least 3 years. Examples Medicare.gov lists include:
- Blood sugar monitors and test strips.
- Canes, crutches, and walkers.
- Commode chairs.
- Hospital beds.
- Infusion pumps and supplies.
- Oxygen equipment and accessories.
- Wheelchairs and scooters.
Your doctor or other provider must order it, and both your provider and supplier must be enrolled in Medicare.
What will I pay for DME?
Medicare.gov says that after the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount if your supplier accepts assignment. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) set the 2026 Part B deductible at $283.
If you have Medigap, it may pay some or all of your 20%. If you have Medicare Advantage, your plan sets its costs and may require you to use certain suppliers.
Should I rent or buy?
Medicare.gov says Medicare covers different kinds of equipment in different ways:
- You may need to rent the equipment.
- You may be able to choose whether to rent or buy.
- Some items become yours after you've made a certain number of rental payments.
Because rentals mean monthly bills, a DME rental can show up on your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) every month. That's normal. What you want to check is that the charges stop or change when they should, such as when you return the equipment or when it becomes yours.
Why does it matter if the supplier accepts assignment?
This is the most important question to ask before getting equipment. Medicare.gov explains:
- A supplier that participates in Medicare must accept assignment. They agree to take the Medicare-approved amount as full payment, and you pay only your deductible and 20%.
- A supplier that doesn't participate doesn't have to accept assignment, though it may in your case. If it doesn't, you may be charged more.
- For rented equipment, Medicare.gov says to make sure the supplier accepts assignment for all rental months. Otherwise, you may have to pay the full cost upfront.
You can search for suppliers on Medicare.gov's medical equipment supplier directory, which shows whether they accept assignment.