Durable medical equipment (DME) is any medical equipment used in the home to aid in a better quality of living. It is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose and is expected to last at least three years. DME is typically covered by insurance policies and in some cases by Medicare benefits. Examples of DME include:

• Wheelchairs: A chair with wheels that is used when walking is difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, or disability.

• Walkers: A frame with four legs used to help someone walk who is unsteady or has difficulty walking.

• Hospital beds: A bed designed for people who need health care in their home, and can be adjusted to different positions to make the patient more comfortable.

• Oxygen equipment: Equipment used to help people breathe, including oxygen tanks and nebulizers.

• Crutches: A device used to help someone walk who has an injury or disability affecting one leg.

• Blood sugar meters and test strips: Equipment used to measure blood sugar levels for people with diabetes.

• Prosthetic devices: Devices that replace all or part of an internal bodily organ, like artificial legs, arms, and eyes.

DME must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and meet certain criteria to be covered by insurance or Medicare. It must be durable, meaning it can withstand repeated use, serve a medical purpose, be appropriate for use in the home, and be likely to last for three years or more.