Monday, October 13, 2014

The Basics Of Renting Medical Equipment

By Jocelyn Davidson


Medical equipment, or armamentarium, are devices and machines designed to help doctors as well as non professionals in caring for the sick. Their general purpose is to help diagnose, treat, or monitor medical conditions. Although most medical equipment are found in the hospital, there are also times when one is needed for home care.

Home Medical Equipment, or HME, are devices for patients who need private or home care, away from doctors and hospitals. There are also those who just wants to recover at home, so they are required to have an HME as a substitute for a professional. Some examples of HME would be air ionizer, nebulizer, portable oxygen, among others. They are operated mostly by a non professional, like a family member, and sometimes by the patient himself. A physician normally recommends where you can get one, but renting medical equipment for home use can be done on your own.

Now most doctors who advise home stays also recommend a particular supplier. But if they do not have one, you can always check out your local directory or the web. You can check if they have the device that you need to get, evaluate costing and insurance, as well as the service that the supplier provides.

If you have insurance coverage, you can also check with them as to whether or not they can cover your rental. Most providers does. You just have to provide them with the prescription provided by your physician and the name of your supplier and they will give you details as to up to how much they will cover.

Once that is taken care of and you have already sealed the deal with the supplier, they would they make an ocular visit of your area. This is to check if your environment is suitable to guarantee that the unit will be able to run smoothly. They make suggestions for changes and minor improvements.

If your supplier approves the place as suitable, they would be the one to deliver and set up the equipment for you if there is a need for it. If you are getting an instrument that is a little complicated, they would also teach you on how to operate it. Some even teach you basic troubleshooting so that you will know if the unit is operating properly. This and a brief instruction on how to maintain and care for the unit is also needed.

While setting up the equipment, your provider needs to inform you of your rights and responsibilities as a renter of the device. Aside from the basic operation and maintenance, you also need to know what renting entails. This way you can avoid any issues with your provider as well as with the insurance.

From time to time, your supplier may also send someone to inspect the unit and provide maintenance. Depending on the nature of the use of the unit, most device requires a professional to provide occasional care and troubleshooting if necessary.

So if you are allowed to get yourself a home medical equipment, great. With you working hand in hand with your supplier, you are guaranteed a smooth running device. This and a quick recovery. You are sure to live life the way you want it.




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