Durable medical equipment (DME) overview
Durable medical equipment includes a variety of devices that are designed to assist individuals in completing activities of daily living — with as much independence and safety as possible.
Examples of DME:
- Power wheelchair
- Manual wheelchair
- Hospital bed/mattress
- Manual Hoyer lift
- Bathroom equipment
- Mobility aids
Who provides my DME?
A DME vendor is an independent company who will provide DME to patients as they are leaving Shepherd Center or after they have been discharged home.
You may have more than one vendor, depending on the equipment you require. Please refer to the info sheet received from the DME department for your vendor’s contact information.
Wheelchair Seating & Mobility Clinic at Shepherd Center
Your primary PT/OT will help determine what equipment you need. For custom items like wheelchairs, you’ll work with therapist in Shepherd’s Wheelchair Seating & Mobility Clinic to select and measure for the right fit.
Note: Custom chairs take time for insurance approval and manufacturing. Most patients go home with a loaner chair until the custom chair arrives.
Communication tips
- Communicate with your vendor(s) early and often to avoid delays.
- Provide an accurate and current address for delivery.
- Share the most accessible phone number for you or a caregiver. Answer unknown calls as they may be from your vendor.
What’s usually covered by insurance?
DME usually covered by insurance, if appropriate:
- Primary wheelchair (power or manual)
- Cushion
- Semi-electric hospital bed
- Group 1 mattress
- Manual lift
DME not usually covered by insurance:
- Bathroom equipment
- Backup wheelchair
- Additional cushion cover
- Fully electric hospital bed
- Specialty mattress
- Power lift
- Standing frame
Download the DME handbook
Get detailed information about your equipment, vendors, the DME process, and examples of available devices.