Home medical equipment

This article discusses the definitions and types of home medical equipment (HME), also known as durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics and orthotics (DMEPOS).

HME / DMEPOS

Home medical equipment is a category of devices used for patients whose care is being managed from a home or other private facility managed by a nonprofessional caregiver or family member. It is often referred to as "durable" medical equipment (DME) as it is intended to withstand repeated use by non-professionals or the patient, and is appropriate for use in the home.

Medical supplies of an expendable nature, such as bandages, rubber gloves and irrigating kits are not considered by Medicare to be DME.

Within the US medical and insurance industries, the following acronyms are used to describe home medical equipment:

· DME: Durable Medical Equipment
· HME: Home Medical Equipment
· DMEPOS: Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies.