I Need Medical Equipment or Supplies

Start with what the person can’t safely do without the item, then find out who’s responsible for getting it there.

If Insurance Is the Problem

Ask the health plan:

• Is the item covered, and is prior authorization needed?
• Is a specific supplier required?
• Is it rented or purchased, and what will the person owe?
• Are related supplies included?

If it isn’t covered, ask what is. A different model, a rental instead of a purchase, or a basic version may be covered when the requested item isn’t.

Coverage rules differ by item and by plan.

If the person has Original Medicare, ask whether the supplier is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment for the item, meaning the supplier agrees to accept Medicare’s approved amount as payment.

If the Person Can’t Safely Wait

Say that plainly:

“The person can’t safely manage without this equipment. What can we use or do until it’s in the home?”

Ask about a loaner or temporary item, a short-term rental, another supplier, or another safe way to provide the care while you wait.

If there’s no safe way to manage without it, tell the care team that directly.

Don’t improvise with equipment that doesn’t fit the person or the care need.

If the Person Is Leaving the Hospital

Before discharge, ask:

• Which supplier accepted the order, and is delivery scheduled?
• Where will it be delivered, and does someone have to be home?
• Does the person need it before they can safely get into or use the home?

Then ask:

“Can this person safely go home if the equipment isn’t there yet?”

If the answer is no, tell the discharge planner or care team before the person leaves.

A discharge plan can’t depend on equipment that hasn’t been arranged.

If the Person Is on Hospice

Call hospice before buying or arranging equipment or supplies related to the terminal illness or hospice plan of care.

Ask:

“Is this equipment or supply part of the hospice plan of care, and are you arranging it?”

Confirm:

• which supplier is being used and when it will arrive
• who sets it up
• who handles problems or replacement supplies
• who answers after hours

Don’t assume every requested item is automatically provided because the person is on hospice. Ask what hospice is arranging.

If the Item Is Oxygen

If the person depends on oxygen, ask about the backup plan before relying on the delivery.

Confirm:

• whether portable or backup oxygen is included
• what to do during a power outage
• who answers after hours

Say:

“The person depends on oxygen. What’s the backup plan if delivery is delayed, the equipment fails, or the power goes out?”

If powered oxygen equipment is used at home and utilities are at risk, see I Need Help Paying My Utility Bills →

When the Item Arrives

Ask who handles fitting, setup, caregiver training, adjustments, repairs, and replacement supplies.

If you’re not sure how to use it safely, say so. Ask who will show you before you use it.

If the item doesn’t fit, doesn’t work, or can’t be used safely, call the supplier or care team instead of improvising a repair or setup.

Before You Pay for It Yourself

Ask whether a clinician, hospice, insurer, or another program is already arranging the item, and whether coverage requires a particular supplier, assessment, authorization, or rental arrangement.

If you buy or rent it yourself, don’t assume you’ll be reimbursed.

If the equipment is rented, find out who owns it, who handles repairs, and how it has to be returned.

Don’t throw away, donate, or leave rented equipment behind until you know who owns it.

After a death, see I Need Help Returning or Disposing of Medical Equipment and Supplies →

If cost is the barrier, ask about equipment-loan closets, aging and disability organizations, and reuse programs.

If It Still Hasn’t Arrived

Call both the supplier and whoever arranged the order.

Say:

“The equipment hasn’t arrived, and the person can’t safely manage without it. What can be done today?”

Ask what’s holding it up, who has the next step, and whether another supplier or temporary item can be used.

Before You Rely on the Plan

Know:

• the exact item and which supplier accepted the order
• whether authorization is complete and what it will cost
• when it will arrive and what happens if it’s delayed
• who handles setup, repairs, and replacement supplies