Share of Cost, Understand where to order your DME.
As mentioned earlier, Medicare will only cover your DME if you use an approved supplier. If you have Original Medicare, the type of supplier Medicare has approved for you will depend on how Medicare pays for equipment in your area and the kind of DME you need. In many areas, called competitive bidding regions, Medicare will usually only pay for DME from a select group of suppliers known as contract suppliers. In other areas, you can use any supplier that has signed up to bill Medicare. However, remember that it costs the least if you use a supplier that accepts Medicare assignment. They are identified on www.medicare.gov with a blue M icon.
Visit www.medicare.gov/supplier or call 1-800-Medicare to get a list of approved participating suppliers in your region. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must follow your plan’s rules to get your DME covered, which typically include using in-network suppliers. Contact your plan to find out its rules before you order your DME. Your local Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) can also provide individualized counseling and education about Medicare coverage of DME, based upon your unique needs and location. To find your local HICAP, or call 1-800-434-0222. Finally, Medicare has rules preventing DME companies from making unsolicited contact with you to sell their products. If you think a DME supplier is making unsolicited contact with you, report it to our Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program at 1-855-613-7080.