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GAO: CMS Should Evaluate Providing Coverage for Disposable Medical Devices That Could Substitute for Durable Medical Equipment

July 1, 2017

Pursuit's Take

Medicare spent $6.7 billion on durable medical equipment (generally, equipment that lasts at least 3 years) in 2015. Companies have developed disposable versions of some of these medical devices, such as insulin pumps, that could act as potential substitutes. GAO found that some of these disposable devices could potentially save money or result in better health outcomes compared to the durable versions in some cases, but they are not covered by Medicare.

If Medicare coverage were expanded to include disposable DME substitutes, CMS would need to consider issues related to benefit category designation. GAO identified three possible options for covering disposable DME substitutes: an expansion of the current DME benefit, an expansion of the current home health benefit, or establishment of a new benefit category.

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