The medical equipment used by patients in the home – such as oxygen assistance
devices, wheelchairs, scooters, specialty beds, etc. – is known as “durable
medical equipment” (DME) or “home medical equipment” (HME) by
Medicare and most insurance companies. Medicare provides benefits for DME under
its Medicare Part B. Virtually all private medical insurance plans cover medical
equipment, subject to deductibles applicable to the insured and sometimes subject
to annual dollar limits and a specified network of providers.