DME
Also written as: DME — Durable Medical Equipment
Durable Medical Equipment; a category of reusable medical devices prescribed for home use, such as standard wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds, distinguished from Complex Rehabilitation Technology.
Full Definition
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) refers to medically necessary devices that can withstand repeated use, serve a medical purpose, and are appropriate for use in the home. In the rehab technology context, DME typically encompasses standard, off-the-shelf mobility and assistive devices that do not require individualised configuration by a credentialled specialist. The distinction between DME and Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) has significant reimbursement implications under Medicare and other payers. Editors must ensure that documents do not use DME as a blanket term covering CRT items, as this can affect claim validity. The related entity DMEPOS (Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies) is a broader classification used by CMS.
Usage
Usage note: Do not use DME as a generic term encompassing CRT devices; they are distinct funding categories with different documentation requirements.
In Context
- "A standard transport wheelchair is classified as DME and does not require an ATP evaluation for funding approval." — Supplier compliance documentation
- "The draft incorrectly categorised the power wheelchair as DME; it should be reclassified as CRT throughout the document." — Copy-editing correction