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Does TRICARE cover durable medical equipment (DME)?
Verified by TRICARE.com Editorial Team
Updated 2024-12-01
AI-assisted (gemini, gpt-4o)
Quick Answer
TRICARE covers medically necessary durable medical equipment including wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen, CPAP machines, and prosthetics with physician prescription.
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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
Related TRICARE Terms
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