DME FAQs (Durable Medical Equipment)

  1. What is Durable Medical Equipment (DME)?
  2. What are DME Prosthetics and Orthotics?
  3. Who qualifies for a DME products or services?
  4. Who pays for the items?
  5. Do I need a referral from my doctor?
  6. What is a detailed prescription?
  7. What should I do before I call to order supplies?
  8. What should I expect to happen if I come into BMS to order new supplies?
  9. I am a Medicare or Medicaid recipient, do you work with these providers?
  10. As a Medicare or Medicaid recipient, what are my eligibility requirements?
  11. What types of medical equipment do you provide?
  12. Do you provide respiratory services?
  13. Will my insurance cover a lift chair?
  14. Can I order a lift mechanism and convert my existing recliner chair?
  15. Will my insurance cover a scooter?
  16. Can I return the bath chair if I don’t like it or if it does not fit?
  17. Can you move my existing chair or bed when you deliver my new equipment?
  18. Can you dispose of my old/existing bed or chair when you deliver my new equipment?
  19. Do you deliver?
  20. Can BMS fix my broken product?
  21. I need further instruction in the operation of my medical equipment. Do you provide this?
  22. My equipment is not functioning properly. What should I do?
  23. I have questions about billing for my medical equipment and supplies. Who should I contact?





What is Durable Medical Equipment (DME)? (return to top)
Durable medical equipment is any medical equipment used in the home to aid in a better quality of life. DME is used to provide additional support and care to patients outside of the hospital environment and is designed to support both temporary and permanent conditions. Although the term ‘durable’ is used, it can also cover disposable, non-durable items that are used in everyday, essential home healthcare. Therefore DME can be split into two main groups: Durable equipment – this includes long lasting essential items such as wheelchairs, beds, walkers, respiratory apparatus, Cpaps, nebulizers, and more. Non-durable equipment – this includes disposable or non-permanent equipment such as gloves, rubber/plastic hose (used for equipment such as catheters and nebulizers that need regular replacement), syringes and more.

What are DME Prosthetics and Orthotics? (return to top)
These items include replacement, corrective or supportive devices used to replace a missing portion of a person’s body. They can also be used to prevent or correct a physical deformity or provide support , restrict or eliminate a weakened condition of a person’s injured body part. This can include braces, supports, crutches, and splints.

Who qualifies for a DME products or services?(return to top)An order or prescription from a patient’s healthcare provider, physician’s assistant, or certified nurse practitioner is usually needed. The patient or caregiver can then bring the prescription to Boardman Medical Supply. We have trained specialists that will submit a request for authorization to Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance to help pay for the appropriate products and services.

Who pays for the items? (return to top)
Boardman Medical Supply will send a bill to Medicare or the appropriate insurance provider. If the patient qualifies for Medicaid, BMS will send a bill to Medicaid. Medicaid pays for a large number of necessary medical items. Please check the link below or view the affiliate links under our “Patient and Caregiver Resources” on the main menu. For more information on covered items and qualifications, click here: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/bcm/hdmeprovs.stm


Do I need a referral from my doctor? (return to top)
Yes, for most items you will need a detailed prescription from the patient’s healthcare provider, physician’s assistant, or certified nurse practitioner. This allows us to provide the exact medical equipment and supplies necessary and to bill the appropriate insurance carrier for the products and services.

What is a detailed prescription? (return to top)
The prescription should include the name of the patient, DOB - the date of birth, a description of the specific item(s) or services that is required, the length of service or need, and a supporting signature and date.

What should I do before I call to order supplies? (return to top)
Make sure you can tell us the information on all of your insurance cards (Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance). We will also need the detailed prescription provided by the patient’s healthcare provider, physician’s assistant, or certified nurse practitioner.

What should I expect to happen if I come into BMS to order new supplies? (return to top)
A trained staff member will ask you some questions to get your information and the purpose of your visit. Make sure you have all copies of all your insurance cards and a doctor’s detailed prescription if an insurance provider will be paying for the supplies. These products can be paid for out-of-pocket if you are not using an insurance provider. A few supplies cannot be sold without a doctor’s detailed prescription.

I am a Medicare or Medicaid recipient. Do you work with these providers? (return to top)
Absolutely! We are an “accredited” DME provider and work with Medicaid and Medicare as well as many other secondary insurance providers.

What are my eligibility requirementsif I have Medicare or Medicaid? (return to top)
Eligibility is specific to the equipment or supplies that you need. Contact one of our trained representatives and we will be happy to discuss these eligibility requirements. Call 330-545-6700.

What types of medical equipment do you provide? (return to top)
We are a full service “accredited” DME provider. We supply oxygen (liquid and gas), CPAP, BIPAP, nebulizers, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, hospital beds, commodes, etc. Contact one of our trained representatives to see if we have the product you need. Call 330-545-6700.

Do you provide respiratory services? (return to top)
Yes, we provide clinical respiratory services. Please call 330-545-6700 for more information..

Will my insurance cover a lift chair? (return to top)
Most insurance companies, including Medicare, will only cover the lifting mechanism in the lift chair. You are responsible for the remainder of the cost.

Can I order a lift mechanism and convert my existing recliner chair?
(return to top)
No, unfortunately not. Lift chairs are specifically designed and built to work with the lift mechanism and a standard recliner chair cannot be converted.

Will my insurance cover a scooter? (return to top)
Most insurance providers have a POV (Power Operated Vehicle) or scooter benefit. This coverage varies but an insurance company will consider the coverage if the scooter is "medically necessary". Most insurance carriers have a prior authorization process which we can guide you through. This oftentimes includes a home evaluation where a mobility specialist would bring a demo unit to your home for the evaluation.

Can I return the bath chair if I don’t like it or if it does not fit? (return to top)
Sorry, but no. This type of equipment is non-returnable, because of infection control issues.

Can you move my existing chair or bed when you deliver my new equipment? (return to top)
Our delivery team is not able to move furniture or items already in your home. We require that your home is ready and all existing furniture is removed prior to delivery.

Can you dispose of my old/existing bed or chair when you deliver my new equipment?
(return to top)
No. We cannot dispose of any existing furniture or equipment. You will need to dispose of your items on your own.

Do you deliver? (return to top)
Yes, we deliver many of our products. We will give you a date and window of time when we will make the delivery.

Can BMS fix my broken product? (return to top)
Boardman Medical Supply has a state-of-the-art service center located in Girard, Ohio. Please call our service department today at 330-545-6700 to see if we can help. Please understand that some of the items that come in for service cannot be fixed immediately because parts have to be ordered. Diagnostic products like blood pressure monitors need to be sent to the manufacturer for repair.

I need further instruction in the operation of my medical equipment. Do you provide this? (return to top)
Yes, our trained specialists are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for any emergency service. Please call 330-545-6700 if you have any questions.

My equipment is not functioning properly. What should I do? (return to top)
Our on-call service personnel are available 24-hours a day, every day of the year. Please call 330-545-6700 if you have any questions.

I have questions about billing for my medical equipment and supplies. Who should I contact? (return to top)
You may call anytime during our normal business hours (M-F, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm). Call 330-545-6700 to leave a message. A billing specialist will return your call ASAP or on the next business day. .

Have a question or need information? Just call 800-443-3390!

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