Medical Equipment & Technology

The right equipment restores independence; the wrong equipment gathers dust in a hallway. This category covers mobility aids and wheelchairs, walkers and rollators, hospital beds and lift chairs, oxygen and respiratory equipment, medical alert systems, incontinence and daily-living supplies, CPAP equipment, and home diagnostic devices.

Get fitted, don't guess. A walker or wheelchair that's the wrong height causes the falls it's meant to prevent. A physical or occupational therapist can specify the right equipment and dimensions, and that specification also helps with insurance.

On coverage. Medicare covers much durable medical equipment when prescribed as medically necessary, usually from a supplier enrolled in Medicare. Ask the supplier directly whether they accept assignment — it affects what you pay. Get the prescription first; buying before the paperwork often means paying entirely out of pocket.

On medical alert systems. Compare monthly cost, whether there's a long contract, whether the device works outside the home, whether it detects falls automatically, and who answers when the button is pressed — a monitoring center or an automated system.

A caution. Nobody legitimate calls offering free braces, knee supports, or testing kits "covered by Medicare." That's among the most common Medicare frauds, and providing your number can cost you coverage you actually need later.