What You Should Know Before Going To A Medical Supply Store For Home-Use Equipment

By Eugenia Dickerson


Medical equipment and supplies used in homes are able to help people with physical limitations and other conditions retain their living standards at home. However, purchasing such equipment from a medical supply store requires some knowledge. Knowing a few tips about how such supplies should be purchased may make your home a safe place for someone requiring with such special needs.

First, you should decide what you will be in need of for short-term and long-term use. Then it is easier to purchase such stuff because equipment needed for long-term use can be purchased at a lower price compared to equipment purchased for short-term use. Mostly, equipment required for patients with walking inabilities are needed for shorter periods of time and are identified as pricy.

All equipment like scooters, wheelchairs, ramps, and bed lifts have specific weight and height capacities unique to them. This weight is what the equipment is able to safely support in correspondence to the height of the patient. It is important to take the measurements of the individual who will be using the equipment with you at the time you purchase home-use medical supplies.

You could get the help of a specialist for some matters. You may find many specialists in in-home care, who assist people with such special needs. Choosing what will go into your home is quite easy with the aid of such a specialist.

Consult with your insurance provider. Talk to them about the coverage options for home-use equipment and supplies before you make a purchase. Your insurance policy might cover all or some part of the cost based on the medical necessity, but may also require you to buy a specific brand or from a specific vendor in order for the cost to be covered.

Consider comfort. Equipment used daily in your home can be designed for extra comfort with a few extra details such as added padding on crutches and wheelchairs, baskets fitted on walkers, or the use of a smaller-sized needle with glucose monitoring equipment. Consider what things are easy to use and most comfortable in addition to price when making your purchases.

Making a list turns out to be useful at times. If you are a homeowner - redesigning your home to fit the needs of a patient, having a list with you will cause no harm. You may refer to a doctor or a physical therapist in advance to decide which items may be needed so that you will not be overwhelmed by your options and the products available.

Have your supplies, such as bed lifts and wheelchair ramps, professionally installed. Make sure that the equipment is safe to use by having them installed by the hands of a professional. That is why it is important to do business with a medical supply store that can find you a professional installation company to do this for you and guarantee that it is properly done.




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