Durable Medical Equipment

Handbook Content

Terms and Meanings

Some terms that we use in this chapter may not be familiar. These terms and their meanings are listed below.

  • Durable Medical Equipment: Items or supplies you need to use regularly because of an injury or illness.
  • Individuals: People.
  • Provider: A doctor, nurse, therapist, or another qualified health care professional.
  • Services: Care, treatments, testing, checkups, equipment, supplies, and other ways your health care providers help you stay healthy.
  • TTY: The number you can call to connect with someone when you have a hearing impairment.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) are supplies, equipment, or prosthetics needed to perform daily living activities because of a medical condition, injury or illness. 

You may need DME if you notice changes in your strength, balance, or ability to complete daily activities like walking, bathing, or toileting. These changes could happen because of a change in your age, health, or abilities. 

DME includes:

  • Bathing and toileting aids
  • Devices to help with breathing
  • Diabetes devices and supplies
  • Enteral nutrition products
  • First aid and wound care supplies
  • Hearing devices
  • Incontinence and urinary products
  • Mobility equipment and lifts
  • Nursing equipment
  • Ostomy supplies
  • Prosthetics and orthotics

How to Get DME

You should ask your health care provider if DME could help you. You can do this at your next scheduled appointment. You can also make an appointment to talk to your provider if you notice changes to your health or daily abilities. If you are seen in an urgent care or emergency room, these providers can also order DME for you if needed. 

A DME provider is a medical supply store or pharmacy that carries medical supplies and equipment and is enrolled in ND Medicaid. You have the right to choose which enrolled DME provider to use. DME providers can help you understand which DME are covered and if you meet coverage criteria. You may have more than one DME provider depending on what supplies/equipment your health care provider orders. You can contact your DME provider if you have questions about how to use your DME. 

Other Ways to Get DME and Assistive Devices

Waiver programs can help cover DME that is not normally covered by ND Medicaid. Let your DME provider know if you are covered by a waiver program. You can find out more about ND Medicaid waiver programs in our Medicaid Waivers chapter of this handbook.

The Life Skills and Transition Center has specialists and professionals who build and make changes to DME. They can come to you and do a personal assessment. They will make sure your DME fits and works well for you. They also loan gently used DME at no cost. You can contact the Life Skills and Transition Center for more information:

The Health Equipment Recycling Organization (HERO) collects and sells donated DME to those in need at a lower cost. HERO offers items for mobility, bathroom safety, wound care, and personal hygiene, and more. You can contact HERO for more information:

North Dakota Association for the Disabled, Inc. may be able to offer funding to help you buy DME. Their Healthcare Equipment Loan Program (HELP) provides free equipment loans for up to 90 days. They also loan special vans and ramps for people who use wheelchairs full-time. You can contact the North Dakota Association for the Disabled, Inc. for more information:

Vocational Rehabilitation assists individuals with disabilities to improve their employment opportunities. Vocational Rehabilitation may be able to help cover the DME you need for work. You can contact Vocation Rehabilitation for more information:

ND Assistive is different from DME providers or lenders. ND Assistive lends out adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and modification devices. Some devices they lend out are computer hardware and software, device mounts, alarms and alert systems, mobility equipment, communication devices, smart home devices, and low vision or hearing devices. ND Medicaid may be able to pay for in-home assessments for members with developmental disabilities or home and community-based services waivers. ND Assistive may be able to help you pay for DME through their grant program and financial loan program. You can contact ND Assistive for more information:

Donating DME

Did you know that you can donate DME that is no longer being used? You can give someone the chance to improve their daily life with DME they may not be able to afford. This includes members and families who access Medicaid waivered services. 

Contact any of these places to donate:

Members should not donate items that they need. Members should not donate items with the intent of being given new or updated equipment in return. 

If you have more questions about Medicaid coverage for your DME or want to know about more covered DME, you can contact:

Contact Information Mentioned in this Chapter

  • Provider Relations Call Center
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