Getting Supplies and Equipment

Sandy used a manual wheelchair, but as her disability is getting worse, she needs an electric chair. “I am still trying. My next step is a formal complaint.”

Read Sandy’s story.

Medical supplies are things like syringes and bandages. They are used once or a few times. Durable medical equipment, or DME, is used again and again, and includes things like walkers, respirators, and wheelchairs.

Topics on this page

• What health plans cover
• Getting the supplies and equipment you need

What health plans cover

• Health plans must cover many diabetes supplies  . They also cover asthma supplies for children.
• Benefits for other supplies and equipment vary from plan to plan. Ask your doctor or your plan.
• There may be a limit on what your plan will pay for equipment. For example, a plan may pay up to $2,000 a year.

Getting the supplies and equipment you need

• You must use providers in your plan’s network.
• If you need equipment, your doctor may refer you to a rehabilitation clinic for an assessment. The clinic will write a report on your problem, with a recommendation for specific equipment. Your doctor submits the report to your plan with the request for approval.
• If a request for supplies or equipment is not approved, your doctor can submit it again, with more information to justify it. You can also file a complaint.

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