Durable Medical Equipment
Also written as: DME — Durable Medical Equipment
A regulatory and billing category denoting medically necessary equipment designed for repeated use that serves a therapeutic function in the home setting.
Full Definition
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is a classification used by healthcare payers, including Medicare and Medicaid in the United States, to describe equipment that can withstand repeated use, is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, is generally not useful to a person in the absence of illness or injury, and is appropriate for use in the home. In rehab technology editorial contexts, DME appears extensively in funding letters, insurance claim forms, and policy documents. Editors must be precise: 'durable medical equipment' is a defined regulatory term and should not be paraphrased as 'medical devices' or 'medical supplies,' which are separate categories. The plural 'DME items' is acceptable; 'DMEs' as a plural acronym is non-standard and should be avoided.
Usage
Usage note: A regulatory term with specific legal meaning. Do not substitute synonyms in insurance or billing documents. Avoid the non-standard plural 'DMEs.'
In Context
- "The power wheelchair was classified as durable medical equipment and required a certificate of medical necessity prior to insurance approval." — Insurance pre-authorization form
- "Do not use 'DMEs' as a plural; write 'DME items' or 'durable medical equipment items' instead." — Style guide note