What Medical Equipment Does Hospice Cover? A Guide for Bay Area Families

Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, all durable medical equipment (DME) related to a patient’s hospice diagnosis is provided at no cost to eligible patients. This includes hospital beds, oxygen, wheelchairs, bedside commodes, and more – delivered directly to wherever your loved one calls home. 

This guide explains what equipment is covered, what is not, how delivery works, and what Bay Area families should expect when hospice care begins.

What Is Durable Medical Equipment (DME) in Hospice?

According to Medicare, durable medical equipment is defined as equipment that can withstand repeated use, is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, is generally not useful to a person in the absence of illness or injury, and is appropriate for use in the home.

In hospice, DME is specifically limited to equipment that relates to the patient’s terminal diagnosis and supports comfort, safety, and symptom management. Equipment needs are assessed by the hospice nurse during the initial visit and updated as your loved one’s condition changes.

Durable Medical Equipment Covered by Hospice

• Hospital Bed. Hospital beds in hospice typically include:
  • Head and foot adjustment for positioning
  • Side rails for safety
  • A pressure-relieving mattress in most cases
    
    The bed is delivered, set up, and removed by the hospice’s DME vendor – your family does not arrange any of this. For families in Contra Costa, San Mateo, Alameda, San Joaquin, and Sacramento counties, Grace and Glory Hospice coordinates DME delivery directly across all service areas.
• Oxygen Equipment. Oxygen is covered when it is related to the patient’s hospice diagnosis and necessary for comfort. This typically applies to patients with conditions such as COPD, congestive heart failure, advanced lung cancer, or other respiratory diseases. Our medical director and registered nurses assess and order equipment as part of the plan of care.
• Wheelchair.
• A wheelchair is provided when a patient has limited mobility and cannot safely walk or self-transfer. The type of wheelchair ordered depends on the patient’s functional level and care setting. Options typically include:
  • Standard manual wheelchair
  • Transport wheelchair for shorter distances
  • Reclining wheelchair for patients who need head and trunk support
    
    Wheelchair needs are reassessed as your loved one’s condition progresses.
• Bedside Commode. A bedside commode allows patients who cannot safely reach a bathroom to toilet with dignity and without risk of falls. This is one of the most practically important pieces of equipment for both patient safety and caregiver ease. It is typically covered when bathroom access is limited due to weakness, fall risk, or reduced mobility.
• Over-the-Bed Table.
• An over-the-bed table provides a stable surface at bedside for meals, medications, personal items, and daily activities. It is a simple yet meaningful piece of equipment that supports patients’ independence and comfort during hours spent in bed.
• Medical Supplies Also Covered by Hospice. Beyond DME, the Medicare Hospice Benefit also covers medical supplies related to the hospice diagnosis. These are consumable items that the hospice team replenishes regularly. Covered supplies typically include:
  • Incontinence supplies – briefs, pads, underpads, and wipes
  • Wound care supplies – dressings, gauze, tape, and related materials when wound care is part of the plan. Learn more about wound care services included in hospice.
  • Gloves and personal protective equipment for caregiving tasks
  • Oral care supplies for comfort and hygiene
  • General bedside supplies such as bed pads and positioning aids
    
    Supply needs are assessed during nursing visits and replenished proactively so families are not left scrambling.

What Equipment Is NOT Covered by Hospice

This is a critical distinction families need to understand clearly. Hospice DME coverage is tied specifically to the terminal diagnosis. Equipment or supplies that are unrelated to the hospice diagnosis are generally not covered under the hospice benefit.

Examples of equipment that may not be covered:

• A wheelchair ordered for a mobility limitation unrelated to the terminal illness
• CPAP machines for sleep apnea if sleep apnea is not part of the hospice diagnosis
• Lift chairs or stair lifts (these are typically not classified as DME under Medicare)
• Home modifications such as grab bars or ramps

The hospice team will be transparent about what falls inside and outside the benefit. If your loved one needs equipment that is not covered by hospice, the team can help identify alternative resources. Our social care team often assists families in navigating these situations.

How DME Delivery Works in the Bay Area

When a patient is admitted to Grace and Glory Hospice, equipment needs are assessed by a registered nurse during the initial visit, typically within 24 to 48 hours of admission. The nurse documents the required equipment in the plan of care, and orders are placed with the hospice’s contracted DME vendor.

What families can expect:

• Equipment is delivered directly to the patient’s home, assisted living facility, skilled nursing facility, or wherever they reside
• Delivery and setup are handled by the DME vendor – your family does not need to be involved in logistics
• The hospice nurse confirms equipment is in place and functioning correctly
• Equipment is adjusted or exchanged as needs change
• All equipment is picked up at the end of hospice care at no cost to the family

For families across Contra Costa County, San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Joaquin County, and Sacramento County, Grace and Glory Hospice manages all equipment coordination as part of the plan of care.

Who Pays for Hospice Equipment?

Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, all covered DME is paid in full – there are no co-pays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients. Medi-Cal mirrors the Medicare Hospice Benefit for eligible patients. Most private insurance plans also cover hospice DME within their hospice benefit.

See the full breakdown of what Medicare and Medi-Cal cover in hospice care.

To qualify for the Medicare Hospice Benefit, your loved one must be enrolled in Medicare Part A, have a physician-certified terminal prognosis of six months or less, and have elected comfort-focused care. Review our hospice eligibility guidelines to understand the full qualification criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice Medical Equipment

• Does hospice provide a hospital bed for free? Yes. A hospital bed is covered under the Medicare and Medi-Cal Hospice Benefit when it is related to the patient’s hospice diagnosis. There is no cost to eligible patients.
• Does hospice cover oxygen at home? Yes, when oxygen is related to the hospice diagnosis and needed for comfort. The hospice medical director and nursing team assess the need and coordinate oxygen delivery directly to the home.
• What if my loved one needs more equipment as their condition changes? Equipment needs are reassessed at every nursing visit. If additional items are needed, the hospice team orders them as part of an updated plan of care. Families do not need to make separate requests or arrangements.
• Does hospice take back equipment when care ends? Yes. All DME is picked up by the hospice’s DME vendor after care concludes. Families are not responsible for returning equipment.
• Can hospice provide equipment to an assisted living or skilled nursing facility? Yes. Hospice equipment is delivered wherever your loved one resides, including assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, memory care communities, and residential care homes.
• What is not covered by hospice equipment benefits? Equipment that is unrelated to the hospice diagnosis may not be covered. The hospice team will clarify exactly what is and is not included based on your loved one’s specific diagnosis and plan of care.

Have Questions About Equipment for Your Loved One?

The team at Grace and Glory Hospice handles all DME coordination as part of the care we provide. You do not need to figure out what to order, where to get it, or how to set it up. That is our job.

If you are wondering what equipment your loved one would need, whether they qualify, or how the process works, call us anytime at (650) 898-5784. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Schedule a free care consultation and speak with a member of our care team with no obligation.