What Types of Medical Equipment and Supplies Does Medicare Cover?

Does Medicare cover everything?

Getting medical help you need can be confusing.  Medicare is a massive federal health program that subsidizes the disabled and people over the age of 65.  With tens of millions of enrollees, most of whom have their own health issues, it can be difficult to determine what medical equipment and supplies the program will pay for.

How to find out

Before Medicare will cover anything, your doctor must determine that it is a medical necessity. In other words, the equipment or supplies can’t be something you’d simply like to have. For those who reside in nursing homes or hospitals, these necessities are covered by Part A Medicare coverage. For those who live on their own, the supplies and equipment are paid for by Part B Medicare coverage.

Here is a brief list of the medical equipment and supplies that are generally covered by Medicare:

• Manual or electric wheelchairs
• Hearing aids
• Diabetic supplies
• Most catheters
• Respiratory supplies, including oxygen tanks
• Feeding tubes
• Prosthetics, when they are deemed a medical necessity
• Raised toilet seats
• Grab or support bars for the bathroom
• Wound care supplies