Hi there, and welcome back to Aging Together! This May 15th, on the Aging Together Podcast, we talk with Erica Sell and discuss:
Why Isn’t This Covered? The Truth About Home Medical Equipment and Insurance
In this article, we want to break down one of the most confusing parts of healthcare for families: Durable Medical Equipment, also known as DME.
What counts as DME? What does insurance usually cover? What gets denied? And why do so many families only learn about this world after a fall, surgery, or health crisis?
Let’s simplify it.
What Is DME?
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) refers to medical equipment designed for repeated use at home to help people stay safe, mobile, and independent.
Most people think of wheelchairs or walkers, but DME includes much more than that.
Common examples include:
- walkers and rollators
- wheelchairs
- hospital beds
- oxygen equipment
- CPAP machines
- shower chairs
- patient lifts
- transfer benches
Some equipment helps with recovery after surgery. Other devices help people manage long-term mobility changes, chronic illness, or aging safely at home.
At its core, DME exists to help people function more safely in everyday life.
Why DME Matters
Most people don’t think about home medical equipment until they suddenly need it.
A parent falls. Someone comes home from rehab. Stairs become difficult. Bathing feels unsafe.
That’s usually when families realize how important the home environment actually is.
The right equipment can:
- prevent falls
- reduce caregiver strain
- Improve recovery
- Make daily tasks safer
- Help people stay independent longer
Sometimes a simple device makes a huge difference.
A walker can restore confidence walking through the house.
A shower bench can reduce fall risk in one of the most dangerous rooms in the home.
A ramp can allow someone to leave the house safely again.
These tools may seem small, but they can completely change someone’s quality of life.
What Insurance Usually Covers
This is where things get complicated.
In general, insurance is more likely to cover equipment considered medically necessary.
That often includes:
- walkers
- standard wheelchairs
- hospital beds
- oxygen equipment
- CPAP machines
- certain patient lifts
Typically, coverage requires:
- durable (for repeated use)
- Documentation of medical need/purpose
- Use at home
- Lasts 3 years or more
Even when equipment is covered, there may still be copays or deductibles depending on the plan.
What Insurance Often Doesn’t Cover
This is the part that surprises many families.
A lot of preventive or safety-focused equipment may not be fully covered, including:
- grab bars
- stair lifts
- home ramps
- bathroom modifications
- lift chairs
- fall prevention upgrades
Why?
Because insurance companies often classify these items as “home modifications” or “convenience items” instead of medical necessities.
That’s frustrating for families because many of these products clearly help prevent injuries.
It creates a strange reality where healthcare will often pay for the hospital visit after a fall more easily than the equipment that might have prevented the fall in the first place.
A Better Way to Think About DME
Many people hear “medical equipment” and imagine something clinical or extreme.
But in reality, DME is often about preserving normal daily life.
It’s about helping people:
- move safely
- stay in their homes
- reduce fear of falling
- maintain dignity
- make caregiving manageable
And increasingly, it’s something almost every family will encounter at some point.
For more information on preventing falls and maintaining mobility, check out this article!
Final Thoughts
One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation with Erica Sell is that families should not wait for a crisis to learn about home medical equipment.
Understanding DME early helps people make better decisions, ask better questions, and create safer home environments before an emergency happens.
Because sometimes the difference between independence and injury is not a major medical procedure.
Sometimes it’s a rail, a walker, a bench, or the right support at the right time.
For an expert perspective on the realities of this all, tune in May 15th with Erica Sell: Why Isn’t This Covered? The Truth About Home Medical Equipment and Insurance
Resources
- Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) – Provides education, advocacy, and support for caregivers, including online resources and local services.
- AARP Family Caregiving – Offers guides, financial planning advice, and community support for family caregivers.
- National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) – Provides research, policy updates, and support for caregivers managing both elder and child care responsibilities.
- Alzheimer’s Association – Offers resources, helplines, and support for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- The Caregiver Action Network – A nonprofit that provides peer support and resources for family caregivers.
- The Aging Together Caregiver Hub – online community to support, educate, and connect you with others on this journey
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Ready to connect with a community of family caregivers? Join our growing network to access resources, share experiences, and find support for the year ahead. Don’t forget to check out our latest podcast episode and get a sneak peek at what’s coming next. Visit our Instagram page and/or join our caregiver community for more information.
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At Aging Together, we are dedicated to helping you navigate aging together. This blog page is for everyone: whether you are an older adult looking to age in place, a caregiver seeking support and guidance, a young or middle-aged adult planning for the future, or simply someone interested in learning more about the aging process. I hope you’ll join me on this journey. Let’s navigate aging, together.