Durable Medical Equipment After Hospital Discharge in Georgia

The Equipment Gap That Sends Patients Back to the Hospital

Your parent is being discharged tomorrow morning. The physician says they need a hospital bed, a wheelchair, and an oxygen concentrator at home. None of those things are in the house right now.

This is the DME gap — and it's one of the most predictable, preventable causes of unsafe discharges and early readmissions. Equipment suppliers typically need 24–72 hours to process orders and deliver, but discharge planners often don't initiate the process until the day before discharge.

The fix is straightforward: ask about equipment needs early in the hospital stay, push for signed physician orders before discharge day, and confirm delivery timelines before your parent leaves.

What Medicare Covers

Medicare Part B covers 80% of the approved cost for medically necessary durable medical equipment. Your parent pays the remaining 20% coinsurance after meeting the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). Medigap supplemental plans may cover part or all of the coinsurance.

To qualify for coverage, DME must meet all four criteria:

1. Durable: designed to withstand repeated use (disposable supplies don't qualify)
2. Medical purpose: primarily and customarily used for a medical reason
3. Home use: needed in the patient's home (not in a facility)
4. Physician ordered: a physician must sign a written order documenting medical necessity

Common equipment covered by Medicare after a hospital discharge:

• Hospital beds (semi-electric or full-electric, when the patient needs specific positioning for breathing, circulation, or traction)
• Wheelchairs (manual or power, based on the patient's mobility limitations and home environment)
• Oxygen equipment (concentrators, portable oxygen units, tubing, and masks for patients with documented blood oxygen levels at or below 88%)
• Walkers and rollators (with or without seats)
• Patient lifts (Hoyer lifts or sit-to-stand devices for patients who cannot transfer independently)
• CPAP/BiPAP machines (for patients with sleep apnea or respiratory conditions)
• Wound care supplies (wound vacs, specialized dressings for complex wounds)

Getting the Physician Orders Right

This is where the process breaks down most often. Medicare requires a physician-specific signed written order documenting medical necessity for the DME. The order must include:

• The patient's diagnosis and medical condition requiring the equipment
• The specific equipment being ordered (make, model, or type)
• The expected duration of need
• The physician's signature and date

Verbal orders are not sufficient for Medicare billing. If the discharge planner tells you "the doctor ordered a wheelchair," confirm that a signed written order exists in the chart. Without it, Medicare Part B may not cover the DME and the supplier may require payment out of pocket.

For oxygen equipment specifically, Medicare requires documented arterial blood gas or pulse oximetry results showing oxygen saturation at or below 88% at rest, during sleep, or during exercise. Make sure these tests were performed and documented during the hospital stay.

Working With the DME Supplier

The hospital discharge planner will typically provide a list of Medicare-approved DME suppliers in your area. You're not required to use their recommended supplier — you can choose any Medicare-participating supplier.

Before agreeing to a supplier, ask:

"Are you a Medicare-participating supplier?" Non-participating suppliers can charge more than Medicare's approved amount, and you'll pay the difference.

"When can you deliver?" If discharge is scheduled for Thursday morning and the supplier can't deliver until Monday, you have a problem. Either push the discharge back or find a supplier with faster turnaround.

"Is the equipment new, used, or refurbished?" Medicare covers all three, but used equipment sometimes arrives in poor condition. You have the right to refuse substandard equipment.

"What is my out-of-pocket cost?" The supplier should be able to tell you the Medicare-approved amount and your 20% coinsurance before delivery.

Equipment You May Need That Medicare Doesn't Cover

Not everything your parent needs after discharge will be covered by Medicare. Common items families need to purchase out of pocket:

• Grab bars: $20–$50 per bar, plus installation
• Raised toilet seats: $30–$80
• Bed rails (non-medical): $40–$100
• Shower chairs (basic models): $30–$60
• Non-slip bath mats: $15–$30
• Medication organizers: $10–$20

Georgia's Tools for Life program (managed by the Georgia Institute of Technology) operates an equipment lending library and a reuse program that provides refurbished assistive technology to Georgia residents. For families facing tight budgets, this can cover gaps that Medicare doesn't. Call 800-497-8665 for information.

Some Area Agencies on Aging in Georgia also maintain small equipment lending closets with walkers, wheelchairs, and bath equipment available for temporary loan at no cost.

The Pre-Discharge Equipment Checklist

Before your parent leaves the hospital, confirm:

• [ ] All DME orders are signed by the attending physician
• [ ] A DME supplier has been selected and has received the orders
• [ ] Delivery is confirmed for before or on the day of discharge
• [ ] Someone will be home to receive the equipment and get setup instructions
• [ ] The supplier has confirmed Medicare eligibility and given you the coinsurance estimate
• [ ] For oxygen: blood gas or pulse oximetry results are documented in the chart
• [ ] Home safety items (grab bars, non-slip mats) have been purchased or installed

Get the Complete Equipment and Discharge Checklist

The Georgia Hospital-to-Home Discharge Guide includes a printable DME order tracker, supplier evaluation worksheet, and the full pre-discharge equipment checklist. It covers everything from the physician order process to filing appeals when Medicare denies equipment coverage.

See more Georgia guides →