Does TRICARE cover durable medical equipment (DME)?

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Quick Answer

TRICARE covers medically necessary durable medical equipment including wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen, CPAP machines, and prosthetics with physician prescription.

Key Takeaways

Wide range of equipment covered
Prescription required
Network suppliers preferred
Some items need authorization

Detailed Answer

TRICARE covers a wide range of durable medical equipment:

Covered Equipment

Wheelchairs and mobility devices
Hospital beds
Oxygen equipment
CPAP/BiPAP machines
Walkers and crutches
Prosthetics and orthotics
Diabetic supplies
Breast pumps

Requirements

Physician's prescription
Medical necessity documented
From authorized DME supplier
Equipment appropriate for diagnosis

How to Get DME

Prescription from physician
Authorized/network DME supplier
Some items through MTF
Prior authorization for some items

Cost

Active duty: No cost
Prime: Low copays
Select: Cost-share (usually 20-25%)

Rental vs Purchase

Some items rented initially
May convert to purchase
TRICARE determines best option

Repairs and Replacement

Reasonable repairs covered
Replacement when medically necessary
Normal wear considered

Helpful Tips

Get prescription first
Use network DME suppliers
Keep documentation for repairs

What do most military families add to their TRICARE coverage?

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