Can I rent a supply then purchase it?

September 20, 2009 by admin

There are certain types of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) that can be rented. Under Medicare, rented equipment is classified under one of the following DME payment categories: capped rental; inexpensive or other routinely purchased DME; items requiring frequent and substantial servicing; and oxygen and oxygen equipment. Capped rental items, except for motorized wheelchairs, are items that, when covered, are rented for a period of continuous use not to exceed 13 months. After 13 months, Medicare requires that ownership of the capped rental item transfer from the supplier to the beneficiary. Items classified under the capped rental payment category include hospital beds, infusion pumps, nebulizers, continuous airway pressure (CPAP) devices and wheelchairs. Please note that if your doctor prescribes a capped rental item (like a nebulizer or a manual wheelchair) and you decide to buy it rather than renting for 13 months, Medicare will not pay for any portion of the item. The only exception to this capped rental rule is power or motorized wheelchairs, which you can buy as soon as you start using the equipment. Suppliers must give beneficiaries the option of purchasing a power or motorized wheelchair at the time the supplier first furnishes the item. If the beneficiary chooses to purchase, payment will be made on a lump sum purchase basis. If the beneficiary declines the purchase in the first month, payment will be made for the power or motorized wheelchair on a rental basis through the 13th month. Inexpensive or other routinely purchased DME are items that can be purchased or rented. If rented, the total rental payments for the inexpensive or other routinely purchased item cannot exceed the purchase price for the item. Items that are classified under the inexpensive and other routinely purchased DME payment category include crutches, walkers and accessories for wheelchairs and hospital beds. Items requiring frequent and substantial servicing, if covered under Medicare, can be rented as long as they are medically necessary. Examples of items that are classified under the frequent and substantial servicing DME payment category are ventilators and IPPB machines. Please note that if your doctor prescribes a frequent and substantial servicing item and you elect to purchase the item rather than rent, Medicare will not pay for any portion of the item. Medicare also makes payment for oxygen and oxygen equipment on a monthly rental basis. One bundled monthly payment amount is made for all covered stationary oxygen equipment, stationary and portable contents, and all accessories used in conjunction with the oxygen equipment. These monthly rental payments continue for up to 36 continuous months and then the supplier must continue to furnish the equipment, supplies and accessories for the remainder of the reasonable useful lifetime of the equipment (5 years currently for all oxygen equipment and DME). An additional monthly rental payment may be made for those beneficiaries who require portable oxygen. Medicare will not pay for the purchase of oxygen or oxygen equipment.