Medical Equipment Medicare Covers and Why Your Supplier Matters
Written by My65 Playbook Editorial Team
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If you are a patient in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, this article is not for you; see our skilled nursing coverage article instead.
Medicare Part B covers walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen equipment and CPAP machines when your doctor orders them for use at home. In 2026, after the $283 Part B deductible (set each year), you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Medicare pays only if your supplier is enrolled in Medicare.
Key takeaways
- Part B covers durable medical equipment your doctor orders for use in your home.
- In 2026 you pay the $283 Part B deductible first, then usually 20% of the approved amount.
- Medicare pays only when your doctor and your supplier are both enrolled in Medicare.
- A supplier that accepts assignment can't charge you more than your share of the approved amount.
- Medicare Advantage plans cover the same equipment, but suppliers, approvals and costs vary by plan.
What equipment does Part B cover?
- Walkers, canes and crutches
- Manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs and scootersPower wheelchairs need an in-person doctor visit first
- Oxygen equipment and suppliesUsually rented from the supplier
- CPAP machinesCovered first for a trial period
- Hospital beds for home use
- Blood sugar monitors and test strips
Part B covers durable medical equipment, often called DME. DME means sturdy, reusable equipment your doctor orders for a medical reason. It is built to hold up through repeated use in your home. Common examples include:
- Walkers, canes and crutches
- Manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs and scooters
- Oxygen equipment and supplies
- CPAP machines (devices that keep your airway open while you sleep)
- Hospital beds for home use
- Blood sugar monitors and test strips
Equipment is one of many outpatient services under Part B. You can read more about what Medicare Part B covers, from doctor visits to supplies.
A hospital or skilled nursing facility does not count as your home. Equipment you use during a stay there falls under that stay's coverage. Equipment can also support care you get through Medicare home health care.
What does medical equipment cost with Part B?
In Original Medicare, you first pay the Part B deductible. It is $283 in 2026, and Medicare sets it each year. After that, you usually pay 20% coinsurance (your share of the cost) of the Medicare-approved amount.
The Medicare-approved amount is the price Medicare sets for an item. Paying 20% means you pay 20 cents of every dollar of that amount. Medicare pays the other 80 cents. You also keep paying your monthly Part B premium. The 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90, and it is set each year.
Your share can be higher if your supplier does not accept assignment. We explain that below. A Medigap policy (extra insurance from a private company that helps with Original Medicare costs) may pay some or all of your 20% share, depending on the policy.
How does Medicare cover oxygen equipment?
Part B covers home oxygen equipment when your doctor says you need it. Tests must show that your oxygen level is low. Your doctor must also expect oxygen to help your health.
Medicare usually rents oxygen equipment instead of buying it. The supplier owns the equipment. Under Medicare's rules, the supplier keeps providing it, plus supplies like tubing, for a period Medicare sets, as long as you still need it.
Switching oxygen suppliers partway through can take extra steps. So it helps to pick a supplier you trust from the start. Ask how deliveries, refills and repairs work, and who to call if something stops working at night.
How does Medicare cover a CPAP machine?
- Get a sleep testIt must show obstructive sleep apnea
- Start the trial periodMedicare covers the machine for a trial first
- Use the machine as directedMany machines record nightly hours
- See your doctor after the trialYour doctor records that it helps you
A CPAP machine treats obstructive sleep apnea. That is a condition where your airway closes again and again while you sleep. Part B covers a CPAP machine if a sleep test shows you have this condition.
Medicare first covers the machine for a trial period. To keep coverage after the trial, you see your doctor again. Your doctor records that the machine helps you and that you use it.
Many CPAP machines track how many hours you use them each night. Using the machine as directed gives your doctor the record needed to continue coverage. Part B also helps pay for masks, tubing and filters on a set schedule.
When does Medicare pay for a wheelchair?
Part B covers a manual wheelchair or scooter when you need it to move around inside your home. Your doctor must find that a cane or walker is not enough for daily tasks, like getting to the bathroom.
A power wheelchair has extra steps. You need an in-person visit with your doctor, who then writes an order. Some power wheelchairs also need prior authorization (Medicare's approval before you get the item).
Walkers and canes need a doctor's order too. Keep a copy of every order your doctor gives you.
Why does your equipment supplier matter?
- Are you enrolled in Medicare?If not, Medicare will not pay the claim
- Do you accept assignment for this item?Ask again for each new order
- How do deliveries and repairs work?
- Who do I call if the equipment stops working?
Medicare pays only if both your doctor and your supplier are enrolled in Medicare. If a supplier is not enrolled, Medicare will not pay its claims. You could then owe the full price yourself.
Enrolled suppliers come in two kinds. A participating supplier always accepts assignment. That means it takes the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. A non-participating supplier can choose whether to accept assignment for each order.
| Accepts assignment | Does not accept assignment | |
|---|---|---|
| What you can be charged | Your deductible and 20% share | No limit on the charge |
| When you pay | Your share, usually after billing | Possibly the full amount up front |
| Who sends the bill to Medicare | The supplier | The supplier; Medicare repays its share to you |
A supplier that accepts assignment keeps your cost to your deductible and 20% share. A supplier that does not can charge any amount. Ask about assignment before every order, since the answer can change.
How do I find a Medicare supplier?
- Read each Medicare Summary NoticeLook for items you never got
- Guard your Medicare Number
- Be wary of uninvited calls or visits offering equipment
- Report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE
Medicare.gov has a search tool for medical equipment suppliers. You enter your ZIP code and the item you need. The results list enrolled suppliers and show whether each one accepts assignment.
Next, call the supplier. Ask two questions: "Are you enrolled in Medicare?" and "Do you accept assignment for this item?" Write down the date and the name of the person you spoke with.
Watch for equipment fraud. Be wary of anyone who calls or visits uninvited to offer equipment. Guard your Medicare Number, and check each Medicare Summary Notice (the statement listing what Medicare paid) for items you never got. Report anything suspicious to 1-800-MEDICARE.
Does Medicare Advantage cover the same equipment?
| Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage | |
|---|---|---|
| Covered equipment | Part B list of items | Same items as Original Medicare |
| Supplier choice | Any Medicare-enrolled supplier | Often the plan's network suppliers |
| Prior approval | Needed for some items | Rules vary by plan |
| Your cost | Deductible, then usually 20% | Varies by plan and location |
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C, private plans that take the place of Original Medicare) must cover the same equipment Original Medicare covers. Each plan sets its own costs and rules. Plan details vary by location and carrier.
Many plans require you to use a supplier in the plan's network. Some plans need prior authorization before you get certain items. Your share of the cost may differ from 20%.
Before you order, look up the supplier in your plan's directory. Ask the plan whether the item needs approval first. Your in-network equipment costs count toward your plan's yearly out-of-pocket limit.
Will Medicare rent or buy my equipment?
| You own it | You rent it | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical items | Canes and many walkers | Oxygen, hospital beds, many wheelchairs |
| Who handles upkeep | You, with Part B help for repairs | The supplier |
| Who owns it | You | The supplier, until any ownership transfer |
Medicare decides whether an item is rented or bought. Lower-cost items, like canes and many walkers, are usually bought. Items like hospital beds and many wheelchairs are often rented first. After a set number of rental months, you may own some of them.
Who owns the item decides who handles repairs. If you own it, Part B helps pay for repairs and replacement parts. If you rent it, the supplier takes care of upkeep.
Medicare may replace an item that wears out after its expected life. It may also replace one that is lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair. For questions about a specific item, call 1-800-MEDICARE or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which gives one-on-one Medicare counseling.
Have questions? Call 1-877-443-3251 to talk it through with a licensed insurance agent. You never pay the agent; the plans they represent do, and the decision stays yours.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.
What to do this week
- Ask your doctor for a written order for each piece of equipment you need, and keep a copy.
- Search the medical equipment supplier tool on Medicare.gov with your ZIP code and the item you need.
- Call two suppliers and ask, "Are you enrolled in Medicare?" and "Do you accept assignment for this item?"
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, look up the supplier in your plan's directory and ask the plan whether the item needs prior approval.
- Write down each supplier's answers, the date and the name of the person you spoke with.
- Check your next Medicare Summary Notice and confirm it lists only equipment you received.
A real example
Medicare Disclaimer
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare pay for a walker?
Yes. Part B covers a walker when your doctor orders it for use in your home. In 2026, after the $283 Part B deductible, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, which is 20 cents of every dollar of that amount.
What does it mean when a supplier accepts assignment?
It means the supplier agrees to take the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. You then pay only your deductible and your 20% share. A supplier that does not accept assignment can charge more, and there is no limit on that charge.
Will Medicare pay if my supplier is not enrolled in Medicare?
No. Medicare pays only when both your doctor and your supplier are enrolled in Medicare. If the supplier is not enrolled, you could owe the full price. You can check a supplier with the search tool on Medicare.gov.
How do I keep Medicare coverage for my CPAP machine?
Medicare first covers the machine for a trial period. After the trial, you see your doctor again. Your doctor records that the machine helps you and that you use it, and coverage can then continue.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover wheelchairs and oxygen?
Yes. Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same equipment Original Medicare covers. Many plans require a supplier in the plan's network and prior approval for some items. Costs and rules vary by plan, location and carrier.
Who repairs my medical equipment?
If you own the item, Part B helps pay for repairs and replacement parts. If you rent it, the supplier takes care of upkeep. Oxygen equipment is usually rented, so the supplier handles it.
