What you'll learn
- Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME) your doctor orders for use in your home, such as walkers, hospital beds, oxygen, and CPAP machines.
- In 2026 you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the $283 Part B deductible, if your supplier accepts assignment.
- Medicare pays only Medicare-enrolled suppliers. Ask every supplier whether it accepts assignment.
- If Medicare-paid equipment is lost or damaged, such as in a Gulf Coast hurricane, Medicare usually covers repair or replacement.
A walker after a hip replacement. Oxygen for COPD. A CPAP machine for sleep apnea. Part B covers a long list of durable medical equipment (DME), but the supplier you choose can make a real difference in what you pay.
What counts as durable medical equipment
Medicare generally treats an item as DME if it is:
- Durable, able to withstand repeated use
- Used for a medical reason
- Typically useful only to someone who is sick or injured
- Used in your home
- Expected to last at least 3 years
Common items Part B covers
- Canes, crutches, and walkers
- Manual wheelchairs, plus power wheelchairs and scooters when medically necessary
- Hospital beds and commode chairs
- Oxygen equipment and accessories
- CPAP machines and other respiratory devices
- Glucose monitors and supplies (our guide to Medicare diabetes coverage covers test strips, CGMs, and insulin in detail)
- Infusion pumps and supplies
The supplier question that matters most
Medicare only pays for equipment from suppliers enrolled in Medicare. Before you order, ask one more question: "Do you accept assignment?"
| Supplier type | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Enrolled and accepts assignment | You pay your 20% coinsurance and any unmet deductible |
| Enrolled but doesn't accept assignment | You may be charged more and may have to pay upfront, then wait for Medicare's share |
| Not enrolled in Medicare | Medicare won't pay |
For rented items, the supplier must accept assignment for every rental month, or you may pay the full cost upfront.
In rural Texas, the closest supplier may be in the next county or farther. Many enrolled suppliers deliver, so ask about delivery, setup, and how repairs are handled before you commit.
Rent or buy?
It depends on the item. Some equipment is purchased, some is rented, and for some you can choose. Some rented items become yours after a set number of payments. Oxygen follows its own schedule: Medicare's equipment payments stop after 36 months of rental, but your supplier generally must keep providing oxygen and equipment for up to 5 years from when you started.
Watch for equipment scams
Be wary of anyone who calls, texts, or shows up offering "free" braces, monitors, or other equipment if you'll just share your Medicare number. Medicare's fraud guide warns against trading your number for free equipment and against accepting supplies your doctor didn't order. If an uninvited caller asks for your number, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Hurricanes, storms, and outages
Texans along the Gulf Coast know hurricane season well, and storms and freezes can knock out power statewide.
If you rely on power-dependent equipment like an oxygen concentrator:
- Consider registering with STEAR, the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, online or by calling 2-1-1. It helps local emergency planners know about residents' needs, though registering doesn't guarantee a specific service.
- Tell your electric provider that you use life-sustaining medical equipment, and ask what options it offers.
- Keep backups, such as portable oxygen tanks and spare batteries, in your go-kit.
- Photograph your equipment and keep your supplier's phone number and your Medicare card with your medication list.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan
Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same medically necessary categories of equipment as Original Medicare, but suppliers and costs depend on the plan. You may need to use certain suppliers or get approval first. Call your plan before ordering. For the bigger picture, see what Part B covers and Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare in Texas.
Free, unbiased help is available from Texas HICAP at 1-800-252-9240.
Common questions
Does Medicare pay for a power wheelchair or scooter?
It can, when it's medically necessary. You need a face-to-face exam and a written order from your provider, and some power wheelchairs require prior authorization, which your supplier usually requests.
Do I rent or buy equipment through Medicare?
It depends on the item. Some equipment is bought, some is rented, and some lets you choose. Oxygen equipment is rented, and Medicare's equipment payments end after 36 months, though the supplier generally must keep providing it for up to 5 years.
Are diabetic supplies covered?
Yes. Part B covers glucose monitors and supplies as DME. Insulin used with a pump covered under Part B costs no more than $35 a month, and the Part B deductible doesn't apply to it.
Sources
- Medicare.gov: Durable medical equipment coverage
- Medicare.gov: Wheelchairs and scooters
- Medicare.gov: Oxygen equipment and accessories
- Medicare.gov: What Part B covers
- Medicare.gov: Getting care in a disaster or emergency
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment and Other Devices
- Medicare.gov: Protecting Yourself From Fraud
- Texas Division of Emergency Management: STEAR
- CMS: 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles
