What Falls Under (HME) Home Medical Equipment?

Posted on 22 July, 2023

Certain injuries or disabilities require people to use special medical equipment to manage daily tasks and routines. This assistive equipment is what medical professionals call Home Medical Equipment.

In this blog, we… 

  • Define Home Medical Equipment (HME)

  • Provide a list of common HME/DME devices

  • And explain how to find the HME you need

 

What is Home Medical Equipment (HME)?

Home Medical Equipment – also known as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) – is equipment that helps people with daily activities, like sleeping, walking, and monitoring vitals. 

To be categorized as HME or DME, the medical equipment should:

  • Be prescribed by a licensed medical provider

  • Be used at home

  • Withstand repeated use

  • Have a minimum 3-year estimated lifespan

  • Serve a mainly medical purpose

  • Be used by people with an illness, injury, or disability

 

What is considered Home Medical Equipment?

The list of qualified Home (or Durable) Medical Equipment is expansive. Some of the most common examples of HME/DME include:

  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines

  • Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines

  • CPAP and BiPAP masks and supplies

  • Oxygen concentrators, monitors, and ventilator supplies

  • Breathing assistance devices (like inhalators and nebulizers)

  • Iron lungs

  • Respirators

  • Intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) machines

  • Mobility assistive devices (like wheelchairs, scooters, crutches, canes, trapeze bars, walkers, and patient lifts)

  • Hospital beds

  • Personal assistive equipment (like bedside commodes, shower chairs, and dressing aides)

  • Hemodialysis equipment 

  • Kidney machines

  • Orthotics

  • Medical regulators

  • Blood pressure meters and other diabetic supplies

  • Blood oxygen tests 

  • Nutritional support products

  • Pressure-reducing support surfaces

  • Suction pumps

  • Traction equipment

  • Prostheses

  • and more!

 

Where can you get Home Medical Equipment?

If you think you may need one of the HME devices listed above, the first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. Ask your doctor whether they think the equipment would be helpful for you and your health.

Once your healthcare provider orders a prescription for a particular type of equipment, you need to find an HME/DME supplier who sells the device you need.  

Remember, you don’t have to settle for the very first piece of equipment you find. You can shop around for the exact model or brand you prefer. Feel free to do your own research, browse equipment reviews, and ask for your doctor’s suggestions.

Need help finding a HME/DME Supplier? We can help! Just use our handy home medical equipment search tool.
 

HME Locations | Find an HME Supplier Near You!

On the lookout for any of the HME items above? Our online HME search tool can help you find home medical equipment suppliers in your area.

Want to read more?  

Here is some more HME-related content.

 
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