Following an illness or injury, you may need medical equipment in order to leave the hospital and go home. This can range from items such as a hospital bed, walker, nebulizers, feeding tubes and pumps, and apnea equipment and monitors. If you or a loved one needs medical equipment for use at home, you often have a decision to make. You have to decide whether to buy the equipment or whether you should rent or lease the equipment, such as from Medi-Rents & Sales Inc. When making this decision, there are many factors to consider. Here are a few of the factors you should consider when you need medical equipment for use at home.
What Your Insurance Covers
When you are deciding whether to buy or rent the equipment, you should always take the time to find out if your insurance covers the equipment and if so, how much they cover. Some insurance companies will only cover rental equipment, even if the cost to rent the equipment comes out to more than the cost to purchase the equipment. Other companies will cover the cost of equipment only if it is prescribed by your doctor. And some companies will not cover at home medical equipment at home. Always take the time to find out what your insurance covers to ensure you are utilizing your medical coverage to keep your costs as low as possible.
The Cost of Renting Versus Buying the Equipment
If your insurance company does not cover the cost of your at home medical equipment, take the time to price out the rental cost of the equipment needed for the estimated length of time it will be needed versus the cost of buying it outright. Many people think that they are likely better off renting the equipment if it is only needed for a short period of time. However, in some cases, it still may be better to purchase it outright. In other cases, it may be cheaper to rent it. Pricing the equipment out can help you make a decision.
How Long It Will Take to Get the Needed Equipment
The last factor you need to consider when deciding whether to rent or buy medical equipment for at home use is how long it will take to get the equipment. In many cases, you may not know what is needed until a day or two before the hospital is ready to discharge you or the patient. As such, you may not have the time to wait for the piece of equipment to be ordered or wait for a patient to return an in use item. In this case, you may be better off grabbing what you can get, whether it be a rental that is already in stock or buying a piece that is available for purchase.
Deciding whether to buy or rent medical equipment for at home use can be a big decision. However, paying attention to what insurance will cover, what the total cost is to buy versus rent and how long it will take to get the equipment if you rent versus buy will help guide you toward the right decision for you.
Share9 July 2017
I was always very healthy throughout my childhood, but when I became a teenager, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness. Thankfully, I had the support of my loving family to help keep me upbeat during a time that could have led to me experiencing the depression that some do after they first learn they will have an illness for life. I am very grateful for the advice I have gotten throughout my life, so I decided to create a blog where I can share all of the advice that has helped me live a happy, healthy life, despite having a chronic illness. Since I am on a medication that suppresses my immune system, I have also studied up on many other illnesses and tips for avoiding them and treating them. I plan to post health tips for people of a variety of ages and suffering with various illnesses!