Guide to Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supplies

A health policy specialist recently spoke to a community audience about the difficult ethical problems facing family members when serious illness strikes a close relative. After the talk a woman in the audience approached the speaker and said, “That was very interesting. May I ask a question?” “Of course,” the speaker replied, “What is it?” The woman said, “Where can I get extra large adult diapers for my mother?”

This incident illustrates two points. First, the basic needs of elderly or ill people must be addressed before they or their family members can think about more abstract or long-term issues. Second, it is very difficult to obtain information about meeting these basic needs, especially when it comes to finding the right products or supplies. The policies and practices of third-party payers - whether private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid - are often confusing and inconsistent. Nevertheless, with a little persistence and some basic information, you can become a more knowledgeable and satisfied consumer. The reward will be an improved quality of life for both the elderly person and the caregiver.

There are two main types of products: durable medical equipment and disposable medical supplies. Both types are used at home to make it easier to manage the basic needs and medical care of elderly, ill or disabled persons. However, both broad categories cover a wide range of products in terms of cost, availability, and effectiveness.

The Difference Between Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supplies
As the name suggests, “durable medical equipment” is designed for long-term use. Often abbreviated as “DME,” the category includes a variety of equipment such as hospital beds; mobility aids (walkers, scooters, wheelchairs); personal care aids (bath chairs, commodes, dressing aids); prostheses (artificial limbs); orthotics (therapeutic footwear); oxygen concentrators and other items. Disposable medical supplies, on the other hand, are used once and then thrown away. This category includes such items as blood sugar test strips (for diabetes), incontinence products (catheters, disposable undergarments), bandages and protective gloves.

As a caregiver or as a patient, you may be familiar with a few of these items, which are commonly found in a hospital or a doctor’s office. However, although we often see people in wheelchairs or walking with canes in the community, we seldom notice the particular type of equipment they are using. Other, more personal items are by definition unseen and unmentioned. It is only when you become a purchaser or consumer of such products that they suddenly assume major importance. But, unlike new parents who enthusiastically share information about baby carriages and strollers and disposable diapers, adult users or purchasers of incontinence care items do not ordinarily talk about them or compare notes.

Making a well-informed decision about these products is particularly crucial when either your health or the health of someone you love is at stake. The importance of having the proper walker, orthotics, brace or other medical device cannot be underestimated. Using inadequate or improper medical equipment can seriously endanger the health and well being of a patient.

Smaller items, such as a specialized can opener or a convenient carry bag for a walker, give a patient increased independence. These items, however, are not widely advertised or readily available in stores. They must be sought out in special mail order catalogs or on the Internet. High-cost, complex machinery and supplies are even more burdensome to obtain because they require extensive expertise to make sure that the right kind of equipment and services are provided. Vigilance is essential when shopping, purchasing, arranging delivery and maintaining these machines.