Healthcare Equipment Navigator
Home Medical Equipment Navigator
Understand home medical equipment options, Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage pathways, documentation needs, supplier questions, and safe next steps before trying to obtain equipment.
Compliance-first pathway
Education first. Supplier review second.
Equipment categories
Start with the equipment need.
Each category explains common products, documentation, Medicare and Medi-Cal questions, denial risks, and supplier-connection steps.
Who this helps
A navigation layer for equipment decisions, not an online store.
Global Care Navigator helps users understand what may be needed, what documents may be required, and what questions to ask before working with a qualified supplier.
Patients recovering at home
Seniors and caregivers
People comparing CPAP, diabetes, mobility, respiratory, wound care, or incontinence supplies
Families trying to understand Medicare, Medi-Cal, or private insurance DME steps
Common equipment or supplies
- CPAP and BiPAP supplies
- Diabetes testing supplies
- Wheelchairs and walkers
- Hospital beds
- Oxygen and respiratory equipment
- Bathroom safety, wound care, and incontinence supplies
Documentation to prepare
- Doctor, treating provider, or clinician order when required
- Diagnosis or medical-necessity documentation when requested by the payer
- Insurance card, Medicare card, Medi-Cal plan information, or managed care plan details
- Prior authorization, referral, or supplier forms if the plan requires them
- Delivery address, setup needs, caregiver contact, and replacement-supply history if relevant
Common denial or delay reasons
- No valid order or insufficient medical-necessity documentation
- Supplier is not enrolled, contracted, in network, or authorized for the user's plan
- Prior authorization was missing, incomplete, expired, or denied
- The item is considered convenience, duplicate equipment, not primarily medical, or not the lowest-cost medically appropriate option
- Replacement timing, compliance, rental, or frequency rules were not met
Medicare questions
- Medicare Part B may cover medically necessary durable medical equipment used in the home when coverage rules are met.
- The prescribing or treating provider and DME supplier generally need to be enrolled in Medicare for Original Medicare payment.
- Under Original Medicare, users commonly pay the Part B deductible and coinsurance when the supplier accepts assignment.
- Medicare Advantage plans may use different networks, authorization rules, documentation steps, and supplier requirements.
Medi-Cal questions
- Medi-Cal DME pathways can depend on fee-for-service, managed care plan rules, county, supplier enrollment, and authorization requirements.
- California DME provider enrollment is handled through DHCS PAVE for suppliers seeking Medi-Cal participation.
- Some DME or medical supplies may require prior authorization, a Treatment Authorization Request, or managed care plan approval.
- Users should confirm whether the supplier accepts the member's exact Medi-Cal plan before relying on coverage.
Before contacting a supplier
- Choose the equipment category that matches the care need.
- Review whether a provider order, prior authorization, or plan-specific supplier is likely needed.
- Use the DME Navigator or request supplier-connection help.
- Verify the payer pathway before choosing a supplier.
- Ask the supplier what documents are needed before delivery or recurring resupply.
- Keep written notes, authorization numbers, estimates, delivery details, and replacement schedules.
Important boundary
Only enrolled suppliers and qualified providers may bill Medicare or Medi-Cal directly. Global Care Navigator helps users understand equipment options and may connect users with qualified suppliers or care partners when available.
Official references
Global Care Navigator provides educational information and navigation support. We are not a medical provider, do not diagnose conditions, and do not guarantee insurance coverage, Medicare coverage, Medi-Cal coverage, supplier approval, delivery, or reimbursement. Coverage and eligibility depend on the patient's plan, medical necessity, documentation, provider order, supplier participation, and payer rules.
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