Many seniors and disabled people need help to get the medical equipment they need. There are many different types of devices and equipment that can help people with mobility issues or health concerns. There are organizations that can help pay for durable equipment, or some non-profits may give it out for free. There are many government agencies and non-profits that can offer help depending on the applicant’s situation.
Durable equipment includes items that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The device is intended for home use to help improve the patient’s quality of life. Some common medical devices that people request include wheelchairs, scooters, hospital beds, Nebulizers, oxygen machines and many others. This list is very long and can help many different types of people, whether they are kids who are sick or old people who cannot leave their house.
There are organizations that can help pay for eligible patients’ medical expenses. The equipment can be used by anyone for health care concerns, but it is mainly for the elderly and disabled. Some people who are recovering from surgery and who need short-term support during that time frame can also use this equipment.
There are devices that were created to help patients with specific limitations. Some people have difficulty walking, so a crutch or wheelchair may help them as part of DME. A grab bar can be installed in someone’s home if they have difficulty using a shower or toilet. If someone needs one or two items, or a large variety, there may be assistance available.
There are programs that help people get equipment they need to manage their disease or help them with activities of daily living. This means that a doctor’s prescription is often necessary for this. An example of this may be a nebulizer for a patient with a breathing disorder. Another commonly requested item is an oxygen cylinder for those with emphysema or even a child with asthma. Some of these costs may be covered by private health insurance, but the patient will generally need to pay for most of the durable equipment.
Locate assistance or access free equipment
People on Medicare may have some or all of their medical expenses covered by the federal government, but there is no guarantee that the government will pay for the entire cost. The bill may be covered if the item is to be used mostly in the home, and also if the patient’s doctor states it is required. Your income will be one of the things that Medicaid looks at when you apply.
There are different types of health insurance, such as private or Medicare, that may be an option for you. There may be times when someone needs a type of equipment that is not covered by their health insurance. This means that even though the patient may have a terminal illness, they still have choices and options available to them.
DifferentNeedz is a store that sells used or refurbished equipment at low prices. There is a wide range of products available, including therapy devices and medical equipment for people with disabilities. This organization provides a marketplace for sellers and buyers to connect with each other and operate nationally. For more information, please call 1-888-343-3639.
The DME List is an online site that allows people to trade items with each other. The disabled may be able to purchase durable medical equipment at a lower cost, such as corner chairs, hoyer lifts, wheelchairs, bathing aids, canes, and more. Many of the items at the company come from donations.
The Agency on Aging Centers are located in many different counties throughout the United States. These non-profit organizations will only provide financial aid to someone if all other options have been exhausted. Some centers can also help to get the required equipment for the caregiver. If an applicant meets the income guidelines that are set by Medicaid, then usually assistance will be offered.
The federal government established guidelines through the Department of Health and Human Services which resulted in the creation of these organizations. Client may receive help to pay for assistive technology and some locations will let them borrow the equipment for a short time. If an Agency on Aging office can’t help an applicant, the staff at the center will usually be able to provide suggestions for other places that can.
Social or human service departments at the county and state level can be good places to look for help. Some counties offer assistance to low-income senior citizens or disabled residents. This is typically seen as a good thing for the community when residents take this path.
The patient’s medical history will need to be reviewed as part of the process, and the department may provide equipment to address the need. A person with a disability that limits their mobility can be given a wheelchair to use for free, the elderly may be given equipment to help them shower, and other forms of public assistance may be available. Each state and county will have their own specific guidelines and requirements in place. Read more about government assistance programs and benefits.
Loan closets may provide extra, durable medical equipment (DME) for a temporary amount of time. These programs can be run by any number of non-profit organizations, such as local community action agencies. Only a limited amount of equipment is available to borrow from the closet and it must be returned soon. Some common medical devices used to assist with mobility include crutches, walkers, power wheelchairs, and lifts. Other adaptive equipment that can be used to promote independence and safety around the home include grab bars, raised toilet seats, and shower chairs. The items provided by the company will need to be taken care of by the person borrowing them or they will be charged small fees. If you need help finding a local assistance center, try contacting a community action agency.
There are hearing aids available for people who are either deaf or losing their hearing. Organizations like the Lions Club will provide medical equipment for free, or patients can contact any number of other programs. A listing of programs and resources that have hearing assistance programs can be found below.
Diabetics can be provided with supplies. The equipment can often be paid for by Medicare or there may also be organizations that offer the items to patients for free. There are a variety of products that can be offered, including monitors and strips to test glucose levels. There are various diabetic supply programs that provide children and teenagers with the medical equipment they need.
People with sleep conditions often need equipment, like CPAP machines or masks. There are organizations that focus on providing free medical care to those who need it. Many Americans have sleeping disorders, not just people with disabilities. They can all receive assistance. There are programs that will provide you with a free CPAP machine if you need one.
There are organizations in each state that can help residents who qualify for low income housing to get either free or low cost durable equipment. They will have partnerships with both private and public entities, including even non-profits that can help meet the demand for assistive technology. These partnerships will help to provide the necessary resources to those who need it most. The state capitals are the primary centers for each state.
The Assistive Technology Resource in Alabama is located in Montgomery. Call this number for more information.
Assistive Technology for Alaska can be reached by phone at 800-723-ATLA.
The Arizona Technology Access Program (ATAP) and the Institute for Human Development (IHD) offer a variety of services to people with disabilities. These services include assistive technology, information and referral, training and technical assistance, and more. Contact ATAP or IHD at 800-477-9921 for more information. There are programs that loan durable equipment to senior citizens and also grant programs that cover a portion of the cost of the equipment.
Arkansas’s ICAN is located in Little Rock. The phone number for customer service is 800-828-279.
Ability Tools is a website that helps people with disabilities in California. Call 916.325.1690.
The Colorado Assistive Technology Program is a program that helps people with disabilities get the assistive technology they need. Call (800) 255-3477 if you are a resident.
The Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services offers an Assistive Technology Program to help people with disabilities. For more information, call 800-537-2549.
The Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative is a program that helps people with disabilities get the assistive technology they need. To reach customer service for the company, dial 800-870-3284.
For information on durable equipment programs in the District of Columbia, dial 202-547-0198.
FAAST is an organization that provides assistive services and technology to people in Florida. They can be contacted at 888-788-9216.
The Media Access Center at Georgia Tools for Life provides equipment and services to people with disabilities so they can participate in the community. The telephone number 1-800-497-8665 can be used to contact customer service for assistance.
The Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii can be contacted by phone at 800-645-3007.
The Idaho Center for Disabilities and Human Development is a state-funded organization that provides services and support to people with disabilities and their families. They can be reached by phone at 800-432-8324.
If you need assistance with technology in Illinois, you can call 217-522-7985.
The state of Indiana is supported by a partnership between Easter Seals Crossroads and the Assistive Technology Act project. This partnership provides services and resources to people with disabilities in Indiana. Please call our main phone line at 888-466-1314.
The Iowa Department for Disabilities and Development has a program to help people with disabilities get the technology they need. The phone number to call is 800-779-2001.
If you need assistance with technology in Kansas, you can call 800-526-3648.
Kentucky Assistive Technology Service Network can provide information about how to get financial aid for purchasing assistive technology devices, or how to get free assistive technology devices. Call this number for more information: 800-327-5287.
LATAN is a Louisiana-based organization that provides assistive technology services to people with disabilities. The telephone number for the company is 800-270-6185.
The Maine Consumer Information and Technology Training Exchange is a website that provides information and resources on technology and consumer rights. The school’s main phone number is 207-621-3195.
The Maryland Department of Disabilities can be reached at 800-832-4827.
The Massachusetts Assistive Technology in Consumer’s Hands program and the Rehabilitation Commission work together to provide people with disabilities the tools and resources they need to live independently. The phone number is 617-204-3851.
The Michigan Disability Rights Coalition can provide information on programs that may be beneficial for seniors or the disabled. To speak to someone, dial 800-760-4600.
The Minnesota STAR Program is a phone service that helps people in Minnesota with questions about their government benefits.
The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitative Services provides a toll-free number for residents to call for assistance. The number is (800) 852-8328.
Missouri provides a telephone service to help people with disabilities. The number is (800) 647-8557.
The Montana Assistive Technology Program is a program that helps people with disabilities get the technology they need. The program is run by the University of Montana, Rural Institute. Our main phone number is 877-243-5511.
If you need help finding or using technology to support independence, the Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership can help. You can reach them by phone at (888) 806-6287.
The Nevada Department of Human Resources is available to answer questions at 775-688-1930.
If you need help with technology in New Hampshire, you can call 855-374-9969.
The New Jersey Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center is located in Trenton. To get information, dial 609-292-9742.
The New Mexico Governor’s Commission on Disability is a government agency that can offer assistance to people with disabilities. Call 877-696-1470.
TRAID is a New York State program that provides a phone number for people to call if they have been victims of trafficking.
The North Carolina Assistive Technology Program provides devices and services to people with disabilities to help them participate in daily activities. To contact the program, dial 919-855-3500.
The North Dakota Interagency Program For Assistive Technology can be contacted by phone at 800-895-4728.
If you need help paying for durable medical equipment, the Assistive Technology of Ohio may be able to help. The number to call is 800-784-3425.
The Oklahoma ABLE Tech Seretean Wellness Center is a facility that helps people with disabilities to improve their health and wellbeing. Please call our customer service line at 800-257-1705.
Oregon’s Access Technologies provides equipment. The number to call is 800-677-7512.
The Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) and the Institute on Disabilities, both based in Philadelphia, work to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Pennsylvania. The customer service number for this company is 800-204-7428.
The Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services is a state agency that helps people with disabilities get the services and support they need to live independently. If you need help, you can call them at 401.421.7005.
The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program is a program that helps people with disabilities. If you need help, you can call them at 803-935-5263.
South Dakota Assistive Technology Program’s main phone number is (800) 645-0673.
The phone number for the Tennessee Technology Access Department is 800-732-5059. The agency is located in Nashville.
The Texas Technology Access Program and the Center for Disability Studies can help people with disabilities access the medical equipment they need. Call this phone number for information.
If you are a person with a disability in Utah, you can call 800-524-5152 for help.
The Vermont Assistive Technology Program is a phone service that helps people with disabilities. It provides information and referral services, as well as equipment loan and demonstration programs.
The Virginia Assistive Technology System, located in Richmond, provides support to seniors and those with disabilities. There is government assistance available for those who need help. You can learn more about this by researching online or contacting your local government office. 800-552-5019 is the phone number for the National Do Not Call Registry. This is the registry that you can sign up for if you do not want to receive telemarketing calls.
The Washington Center for Technology and Disability Studies is a research center that studies how technology can be used to improve the lives of people with disabilities. You can call 800-214-8731 toll-free to learn about what equipment may be available.
The West Virginia Center for Excellence in Disabilities is a facility that provides resources and support for those with disabilities. They can be reached by phone at 800-841-8436.
You can reach the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Program (WisTech) at 715-232-3300.
The agency is responsible for assuring that people who have developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and support necessary to live as independently as possible within their own homes and communities. The Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND), University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, is the primary agency in the state responsible for providing services and support to people with developmental disabilities and their families so they can live as independently as possible within their homes and communities. Call the number 888-989-9463.