EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Skilled nursing facilities usually have everything you need, but if you’re going into assisted living or going home your insurance should cover your durable medical equipment such as a wheelchair, an adjustable bed, a Hoyer lift if needed, and a sometimes a shower/commode chair. Health insurance should also cover some of your incontinence supplies.

You’ll have to first get a letter of medical necessity from your doctor. Make sure it discusses how the equipment will improve your quality of life and activities of daily living. Sometimes there’s a prior authorization process and it may take some appeals, whether it’s Medicare/Medicaid or private insurance. Advocate for yourself and build a relationship with your insurance case manager so they’ll advocate for you, too. Work closely with your durable medical equipment provider as well. Sometimes insurance will approve your equipment at an out of the network rate which is expensive but you can ask for an in-network gap exception.

If you don't have medical insurance you may be able to purchase durable medical equipment through online retailers or secondhand. You can also ask your local Center for Independent Living for durable medical equipment resources. For incontinence supplies, make sure to ask what your health insurance covers. If you need to buy your own check out:

• VitalityMedical.com
• discountmedicalsupplies.com
• bettymills.com
• medicalsupplydepot.com
• medicalsupplygroup.com
• mckesson.com/Medical-Supplies