The Decline of Medical Equipment Providers Across the U.S. Affects Your Access to Equipment

Over the last ten years, there has been a significant decline in the number of medical equipment providers across the country. This is due to reimbursement cuts, regulatory restrictions, and excessive and unreasonable audits that (primarily) smaller durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers are facing.

By clicking here, you can see the exact number of DME suppliers that have closed across the country. The highest percentage of DME business closing are the states colored in dark blue. These states have lost the most of providers by nearly 50%:

• California
• Arizona
• Texas
• Louisiana
• Illinois
• Ohio
• Florida
• Delaware
• New Jersey
• Connecticut

When DME suppliers are forced to close their doors, YOU are directly impacted because your ability to receive equipment that you need, such as wheelchairs, canes, oxygen, etc., become less accessible and more difficult to obtain. 

What can you do to help?

Currently, there is a bill circulating that can help with this issue. The Protecting Home Oxygen & Medical Equipment Act of 2019 allows for increased reimbursement rates for durable medical equipment (such as walkers, wheelchairs, canes, etc.) and oxygen equipment and supplies in areas of the country where reimbursement has been slashed. Take action today by visiting https://people-for-quality-care.rallycongress.net/ctas/ask-your-member-congress-to-support-protecting-home-oxygen-medical-equipment-act. This website allows you to send a pre-written message to your member of Congress asking for their support of this legislation that will ultimately protect your access to the equipment and services that are critical to your well-being.

It is especially important for residents of the “dark blue” states (as indicated above) to reach out to their members of Congress and let them know of the urgency to protect the DME suppliers and yourself. Ask for your members of Congress’ support by clicking here.