The Most Overlooked DME Supplies and Their Hidden Costs

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is an essential part of patient care, offering the tools and resources needed to ensure safety, mobility, and independence. From wheelchairs to oxygen tanks, these items play a critical role in daily healthcare operations.

But while some supplies like hospital beds and walkers get the attention they deserve, others are often overlooked. Unfortunately, ignoring these items can lead to unexpected hidden costs that impact both patient outcomes and your facility’s bottom line. Let’s examine the most commonly neglected items, the challenges they pose, and strategies to avoid their hidden costs.

What Are Durable Medical Equipment Supplies?

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) refers to reusable medical devices and supplies prescribed by healthcare professionals to support patient care. Unlike disposable items covered under Medicare Part B supply reimbursement, DME is intended for long-term use. These supplies are covered under Medicare Part B or Part A, depending on the setting, and include items such as:

Wheelchairs
Walkers
Hospital Beds
Oxygen Tanks and Concentrators
Nebulizers

While these are among the more recognized DME items, others are less understood or valued—leading to gaps in reimbursement and care delivery.

The Overlooked DME Supplies

Some of the most hidden DME supplies include:

1. Low-Tech Mobility Aids

Items like canes, crutches, and basic walkers are often undervalued. These simple tools may not seem significant, but failing to provide them or ensure their quality can increase fall risks, which can result in costly hospitalizations.

2. Pressure-Relief Mattresses and Cushions

Designed to prevent bedsores and improve comfort for immobile patients, pressure-relief mattresses and cushions are a DME category frequently overlooked. Without these, patients face a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers, leading to increased medical complications and expenses for wound care.

3. Bath Safety Equipment

Shower chairs, grab bars, and raised toilet seats often fly under the radar. However, these tools are critical for fall prevention and maintaining dignity during personal care. The absence of these items can lead to injuries that incur additional treatment costs.

4. Specialty Wheelchairs and Accessories

Standard wheelchairs are often covered and supplied, but specialty wheelchairs tailored to specific patient needs, such as reclining or tilt-in-space models, are less commonly addressed. Similarly, items like wheelchair cushions or safety belts are often left out, impacting patient comfort and safety.

5. Enteral Feeding Supplies

Feeding tubes and related supplies, like pumps and syringes, are vital for patients requiring nutritional support. Inadequate tracking or restocking of these items can lead to missed reimbursements or emergency supply orders at higher costs.

6. Home Monitoring Devices

Blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, and oxygen monitors are increasingly used in home care settings. These tools are essential for chronic disease management, yet they’re frequently overlooked, resulting in missed opportunities for reimbursement and suboptimal patient monitoring.

The Role of Medicare in DME Reimbursement

Understanding how Medicare covers DME supplies is essential for maximizing reimbursement and reducing hidden costs. Medicare Part B typically covers 80% of the allowable cost for DME, leaving the remaining 20% to patients or supplemental insurance. Facilities that fail to document or bill properly risk losing out on this crucial revenue stream.

However, it’s important to differentiate between DME reimbursement and Medicare Part B supply reimbursement. While Burst specializes in the latter, we understand the intricacies of both and can help ensure no dollar is left behind.

Curious about how healthcare reimbursement really works? Explore our blog to learn the ins and outs of the process, uncover common challenges, and more.

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The Hidden Costs of Overlooking DME Supplies

Ignoring or under-prioritizing these essential DME items can have significant financial and operational repercussions for your facility. Here’s how:

1. Patient Safety Risks

The absence of necessary DME increases the likelihood of patient injuries, hospital readmissions, and lawsuits—all of which carry financial and reputational costs.

2. Higher Emergency Costs

Failing to stock essential DME supplies can result in emergency procurement at inflated prices, putting a strain on your budget.

3. Missed Reimbursements

Many overlooked DME items are eligible for Medicare reimbursement. By not billing for these items, facilities lose out on revenue that could have been reinvested into patient care.

4. Increased Staff Burden

When the right equipment isn’t available, staff often need to find workarounds, which leads to inefficiencies, burnout, and reduced quality of care.

How to Avoid Hidden Costs and Maximize DME Efficiency

1. Perform Regular Inventory Audits

Conduct frequent reviews of your facility’s DME inventory to ensure no essential items are missing. This helps avoid emergency orders and ensures proper reimbursement documentation is in place.

2. Educate Your Team

Staff education is critical. Ensure your team understands the importance of overlooked DME items and knows how to identify and document them for reimbursement purposes.

3. Partner with a Reimbursement Expert

Navigating Medicare reimbursement rates for skilled nursing facilities and Medicare Part B reimbursement forms can be daunting. Working with experts like Burst Billing can simplify the process, ensuring all eligible DME is accounted for and reimbursed correctly.

4. Prioritize Quality Over Cost

While it’s tempting to choose cheaper DME options, investing in higher-quality items often saves money in the long run by reducing replacement and maintenance costs.

5. Utilize Technology

Leverage tools that track DME usage and streamline billing processes. Technology can identify missed reimbursement opportunities and ensure compliance with Medicare’s strict standards.

Stay Vigilant

Overlooked DME supplies may seem insignificant, but their hidden costs can quickly add up. From patient safety risks to missed reimbursements, failing to prioritize these items affects both care quality and financial health.

By understanding the role of DME, educating your staff, and partnering with experts like Burst Billing, your facility can avoid unnecessary expenses and unlock new revenue opportunities.

Investing in overlooked DME isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about improving patient care and operational efficiency. Let Burst help you navigate the complexities of reimbursement so you can focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional care.

Avoid Hidden Costs with Expert Reimbursement Support

Don’t let missed opportunities drain your facility’s resources. Learn how healthcare leaders simplify reimbursements and avoid hidden costs with Burst’s expertise. Read more now!