The right piece of medical equipment can be life-changing for patients with limited mobility or specific illnesses that require specialized and essential technologies in order to live comfortably. But not all patients have the financial resources to purchase the equipment they need to simplify their lives and properly care for themselves. Indeed, some families don’t even have the capital to purchase medical equipment outright even if they pool all their resources without taking out a loan. So instead of buying medical equipment, many patients and their loved ones turn to medical rental equipment companies to help them find what they need.
But medical equipment rental isn’t always just about finances. Sometimes, patients wish to try out a piece of equipment before investing in it. Many companies offer a rent-to-own program or at least an opportunity to buy rented medical equipment for a discounted rate after the patient has had the opportunity to try it out.
Medical equipment rental makes a wide array of valuable tools available to a broader population of individuals who need it. Purchasing expensive equipment can create rifts in families and unnecessary stress in the midst of situations that are already inevitably stressful. But by seeking out some of the best medical rental equipment companies to obtain mobility devices, home-use hospital beds, prostheses, and other items, patients and their loved ones can enjoy all the benefits that quality, high-tech hospital equipment can provide without breaking the bank.
Medical equipment companies that rent their items to patients provide more than just cost-effectiveness to patients. They may provide on-site set-up of things like ramps or lift seats, thereby taking the pressure off the family to orchestrate a major construction and renovation project on their home. The best medical device rental companies will also cover both major and minor problems with the rented piece of equipment. If the equipment malfunctions or if it needs to be repaired or replaced due to recall, the equipment company will likely cover the cost of the issue and also make sure that the repair or replacement is carried out within a timely manner.
Today, many people rent medical equipment because it’s nearly impossible to keep up on the technological advancements in healthcare. Unless the patient themselves or someone close to them is an expert or at least somewhat knowledgeable about medical equipment already, the learning curve is often just too steep. It just doesn’t make sense to purchase an expensive product and take time to learn about its technology when the patient may need to replace it only one or two years later.
What do medical equipment rental companies do?
Medical equipment rental companies help patients and caretakers by providing rentable durable medical equipment (DME) for at-home use. The medical supplies offered by medical equipment rental companies are designed to be sturdy and adequate for the regular, repeated use they will receive in a home setting. The durable medical equipment that is supplied includes all kinds of tools, including (but not limited to):
● Hospital beds for home use
● Mobility devices (scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.)
● Personal care aides (bath chairs, commodes, dressing aides, etc.)
● Prostheses (artificial limbs)
● Orthotics (therapeutic footwear)
● Oxygen concentrators
● Lift seats
● Wheelchair accessible vehicles
● And more…
Medical equipment rental companies buy these items from major companies and then rent them to patients. Rental companies may also offer other services, including at-home set-up of the equipment, delivery of equipment, and retrieval of equipment when it is no longer needed by the patient. Because some pieces of equipment are more complex than others and an explanation may be needed, always choose a rental company that offers at-home set-up services. Some, though not all medical equipment rental companies provide repair services to their clients if one of the pieces of equipment malfunctions.
In addition to delivering, setting up, and in some cases repairing the equipment, many rental companies also offer special training and education in how to use certain pieces of equipment. A short explanation may be included when the equipment is set up, but sometimes companies provide clients with educational workshops that offer more in-depth education on more complex devices. Most patients and/or their caregivers choose to participate in these educational workshops or classes so that they know the safe and proper use of the new piece of equipment.
Medical equipment rental companies often rent equipment to individuals in a wide array of different situations. These companies may rent directly to patients in need, or they may rent to healthcare communities (such as assisted living), rehab facilities, non-profit organizations, and healthcare teaching facilities. Familial caregivers who are members of the CDPAP program may also choose to rent equipment on behalf of a patient in certain situations.
Rental companies are also responsible for making sure that each rental is authorized and that, when relevant, the rental cost is covered by the patient’s insurance. Thus, these companies must be able to supply the correct documentation in order to help their clients fulfill the requirements necessary to receive coverage of the rental costs. Patients must make sure that, when choosing a rental company, they choose one that can work with their insurance company if they don’t intend to pay for the rental out-of-pocket.
What are the advantages of using a medical equipment rental company?
There are a variety of reasons why renting rather than buying medical equipment is a wise choice for patients, but the most obvious has to do with simple economics. Often, medical equipment is a necessity and home rentals keep devices within the affordable range. Patients who rent what they need can make payments without having to deal with the stress of financing and loan payments that can affect the family’s credit in negative ways.
When a family rents a particular medical device, they enjoy certain important financial benefits that they would lose if they purchased that same piece of equipment. For example, if that device is recalled or if it requires repair or replacement, patients will be able to get a new device without hassle. Further, if the specific device that a patient purchases becomes obsolete and goes out of production, finding replacement parts could be next to impossible. Renting protects patients and their families from having to contend with medical equipment that’s become obsolete.
When a patient needs a particular piece of medical equipment, they usually have little time to spare to shop around for the best prices. Rounding up the funds to pay for medical equipment is a huge part of the battle when buying, but when a patient rents, the process of finding the appropriate piece of equipment is significantly easier. Often, several family members pool funds to help pay for necessary medical equipment for an aging loved one, but often families face a lot of difficulties in negotiating amongst themselves about complex topics that involve finances. Renting equipment alleviates a lot of issues that can arise in the family dynamics around getting the necessary items that a patient needs. Indeed, by renting medical equipment first before buying, families can test out the functionality and benefits of a particular model or brand to determine whether it’s truly worth the full purchase price.
But beyond the financial arguments for renting over buying, there are a number of situational factors that lead patients and their loved ones to look into renting medical equipment rather than purchasing it. For example, a handicapped family member who is coming to visit may need a ramp to get in and out of the renter’s home. Rather than building or buying a ramp, the family can rent it and by doing so, save a fortune. Another example of a situation that would warrant renting rather than buying is a short-term medical problem like recovery from a surgical procedure that would make it necessary for the patient to equip his or her home with specialized mobility tools. After recovery, the patient may expect to recover full mobility and they won’t need the rental equipment anymore. It wouldn’t make sense for a patient in this situation to buy expensive medical equipment. Renting is better.
Most families can’t afford to purchase medical equipment outright and few can get credit to cover the costs of high-tech items their family members or loved ones need. Indeed, in situations involving terminal illness, it may not be clear how long the patient will be using a particular medical device. The unpredictability of a terminal illness is stressful enough without the additional stress of having to pay the sometimes astronomical costs of medical technologies that a loved one needs.
When people rent medical equipment, the focus of their search becomes more about quality or aesthetics or other features rather than just price. Families will often choose to rent a set of products that were developed by the same company in order to avoid having to learn multiple technologies on different pieces of equipment. Renting gives people the ability to take ease-of-use, brand quality, comfort, and other characteristics of the medical equipment into consideration.
Finally, purchasing medical equipment requires either the patient or a loved one to study the options and to fully understand what they’re buying. Often, medical equipment is very expensive, so the decision-making process requires careful thought. Most patients and their family members are not knowledgeable about new technologies in medicine so they’re at a significant disadvantage when making decisions about which product to buy. But renting is less committal. If a patient rents a product that doesn’t work for them or that turns out to be a poor fit for their condition or their space-requirements, it’s possible to switch to an entirely different piece of equipment without having to deal with selling the first item.
What are the most common items that are rented from medical rental equipment companies?
Each medical equipment rental may supply a different type of equipment to their clients. Different companies specialize in providing certain products to their clients. But, there are some items that are more commonly rented than others. Here are some of the most frequently rented pieces of medical equipment:
● Wheelchairs and other mobility devices – There are many different kinds of mobility devices that are available for rent, and because mobility is so important, this is probably one of the most commonly rented items on this list. When a person is injured or suffering from a disease and they are unable to walk, they usually choose to rent a wheelchair or a scooter for the period of time when they’re healing and recovering. Elderly individuals may also choose to rent a mobility device instead of buying under certain circumstances. Parents of children or young people who need a mobility device for long-term use may choose to rent rather than buy so that, later on, they can obtain an adult sized piece of equipment.
● Respiratory/oxygen therapy devices – Some people are prescribed oxygen therapy by their doctor, and they must be able to receive oxygen while at home as a part of their normal, daily lives. Oxygen therapy devices and other similar respiratory therapy devices can be extremely important, and so it’s not uncommon for patients to need to rent these pieces of equipment for home use. Although some people who are permanently on oxygen therapy may choose to buy these devices, there are many patients who will only need the device for a finite period of time. In this case, renting this piece of medical equipment would be the best way to go.
● Sleep therapy devices – There are a few different kinds of sleep therapy devices, including not only the CPAP machine, but also MADs and TSDs. Most of these devices are designed to help the patient either avoid a sleep apnea, stop snoring, or both. Some sleep therapy devices may be temporary solutions to the problem, and so some people opt to rent them instead of buying in order to save on costs.
● Wound care management devices – There are a number of home care devices available to help caregivers manage and care for patients’ wounds during the recovery process. Many times, people who have severe wounds will at some point be released from the hospital and allowed to go home where family members must continue to care for the patient. Wound care management devices are absolutely essential for both caregivers and patients, and of course, because the ideal is that the wound will heal, it only makes sense that most patients with severe wounds choose to rent these devices instead of buying them.
● Hospital beds – When a patient is released from the hospital but still requires more intensive care, a hospital bed may be needed. Patients who require this kind of care can thus remain comfortable and stay in their own home, but by using the hospital bed, the care requirements are made easier for home care aides. Hospital beds have special, built-in features that make caregiving more efficient and straightforward. Some patients with a long-term need for this kind of care may be better off choosing to buy a hospital bed for home use, but patients with shorter-term needs usually choose to rent instead.
Best Medical Rental Equipment Companies
Below are some of the highest rated medical equipment companies that rent a variety of products to customers through New York. Each company specializes in a different set of products and offers different customer service benefits.
Homepro Medical Supplies, LLC
153 21st Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232
800-437-3677
Homepro Medical offers specialized healthcare equipment for every room of the home as well as outdoor spaces. They provide both short-term and long-term rental in the state of New York.
Products
Products that Homepro Medical offers includes:
● Mobility products
Homepro Medical offers a selection of manual, wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, and scooters as well as that are available for rent in many different configurations. They also offer wheelchair ramps and other wheelchair accessories such as wheelchair cushions. In comparison with other medical equipment rental companies in New York that offer an array of products, their prices are transparent and readily available online.
○ Their selection of standard manual wheelchairs can be rented from $45/week to $85/week or $105/month to $195/week.
○ Powered wheelchairs rent from $125/week to $375/week or $275/month to $850/month.
○ Scooter rentals range in price from $125/week to $225/week or $275/month to $550/month depending on the model the patient chooses.
● Adjustable beds and mattresses
In the past, many patients preferred to purchase traditional homecare hospital beds that were either semi-electric or fully electric but today, it’s possible for many patients to afford to buy premium hospital beds. The price of traditional homecare beds has become affordable enough to buy the beds without going through insurance.
○ Hospital bed rentals range from $225/week to $325/ week or $525/month to $775/month.
● Seat Lifts
Seat lifts enhance mobility and Homepro Medical provides power patient lifters as well as sit to stand lifters.
○ Seat lifts can be rented for between $125/week to $150/week or $250/month to $300/month.
● Specialized Mattresses
Homepro Medical offers special wound treatment and prevention mattresses that are designed to help prevent the development of pressure sores. They have both foam and low-air-loss mattresses for sale. The type of mattress that patients use at home can have an important impact on their overall health and well-being.
○ Mattresses rentals are priced between $85-$490/week or $185-$1250/month depending on the size and model of the mattress rented.
Customer Service
Homepro Medical offers delivery and pickup services for a small fee (between $50 to $100) to the immediate New York area. Delivery fees may be subject to tax. Their products can be rented anywhere within the Metropolitan New York area.
If something goes wrong with a wheelchair, hospital bed, or any other rental product, Homepro Medical will repair it at no cost as soon as possible.
For an additional charge of $225, Homepro Medical offers white-glove delivery and setup at the patient’s desired location. A technician also provides one-to-one instruction on the proper use of the rental equipment.
Rental Basics
Homepro Medical only bills patients for the actual length of their rental, so if you return the product earlier than the anticipated time, billing will be cancelled for the remainder of the rental period. Rent-to-own or rent-to-purchase plans are an option on long-term rentals. Patients can make a claim for benefits to cover short term rentals but Homepro Medical does not bill or coordinate the provision of these insurance benefits with patients.
All American Medical Supply Corp.
5493 Merrick Road
Massapequa, New York 11758
(516) 216-1707
All American Medical Supply Corp. is based in Massapequa, New York. They specialize in mobility device rentals, but they also offer a few other products for rent. They serve the entire Long Island area, as well as some surrounding cities.
Products
● Knee Walkers
Knee walkers are intended to be used as a replacement for traditional crutches. They put less strain on the upper body and offer a more comfortable at-home alternative that is simple and comfortable. People with foot, ankle, knee, or lower leg injuries can use knee walkers to help them move around the home or workplace with more ease. This piece of equipment is effective at relieving pressure on the lower leg as it heals, and also much easier to use in general.
○ Regular knee walkers from All American Medical Supply Corp. are priced at $30/week and $75/month.
○ All-terrain knee walkers are also available and are priced at $40/week and $90/month. These are best used for people who plan to use their knee walker in more than one location and who plan to use it exclusively and completely independently of crutches.
● Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs can be necessary in situations where a person can’t walk at all during the healing process, or when they would prefer to have a wheelchair to make movement more convenient in certain situations. All American Medical Supply Corp offers both transport wheelchairs and standard manual wheelchairs. Transport wheelchairs are a more affordable option than standard wheelchairs, though they can only be used with the help of another person. Standard manual wheelchairs are best for people who may be in a wheelchair for a somewhat longer period of time or who want to be able to function completely independently without the need for help from someone else.
○ Transport wheelchair rental costs $30/week and $75/month.
○ Rental of a standard manual wheelchair is $40/week and $90/month.
● Hip chairs
Hip chairs are specially designed chairs that are meant for people who have recently had hip surgery, or individuals with arthritis in the hips or knees or who have some other kind of mobility issue that impedes their ability to easily and comfortably stand up from a regular chair. These chairs are also exceptionally comfortable and make sitting and standing a breeze during recovery.
○ Hip chairs from All American Medical Supply Corp cost $30/week to rent, and $75/month.
● Walkers
This company provides rentals of standard walkers. These mobility devices can be used by people who are recovering from an operation, or by elderly or infirm individuals who are able to walk but who need extra assistance to do so. Walkers improve independence and can be used in many different settings. Plus, they tend to be quite lightweight and durable, so they’re very easy to maneuver and manage.
○ Standard walkers cost $20/week and $50/month to rent from All American Medical Supply Corp.
● Elevating leg rests for wheelchairs
All American Medical Supply Corp not only rents standard wheelchairs, but also elevating leg rests that can attach to these wheelchairs or that of one already owned by the client. Elevating leg rests can be essential for helping the wheelchair user position their legs comfortably and effectively for healing and recovery, or even just for general comfort. There are some situations where the individual may not be able to bend their leg due to injury or disability, in which case the use of an elevating leg rest is crucial.
○ Elevating leg rests cost $10/week and $25/month to rent from this company.
Customer Service
All American Medical Supply Corp serves Long Island and the surrounding areas. The areas that they serve include Massapequa, Massapequa Park, East Massapequa, Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, Babylon, Farmingdale, Bethpage, Hicksville, Seaford, Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick, and surrounding cities. This company is an accredited member of the Medicaid and Medicare provider network and can accept these insurance plans as payment methods. They are also accredited by The Compliance Team, Inc.
Their staff help clients find the perfect fit for knee walkers, wheelchairs, and other medical equipment so as to provide the client with the maximum comfort and ease of use. All American Medical Supply Corp also offers educational opportunities to clients so that they can better understand their situation and the options available to them for treatment and recovery. The company may be able to provide deliveries and pick-up services upon client request. They also offer repair services on technologically sophisticated equipment.
C.N.Y Medical Products Inc.
749 West Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY 13204
315-428-9945
C.N.Y Medical Products Inc. is based in Syracuse, New York and offers a few very specific medical equipment products for rent. They specialize in lift chair rentals and they serve 21 counties in the central New York State area.
Products
● Lift chairs are an extremely helpful mobility-promoting tool for the elderly or for people who have recently had surgery. At C.N.Y. Medical Products, they offer reclining lift chairs in two different sizes to accommodate individuals of different heights and weights up to 375 pounds. Their lift chairs are vinyl for ease for cleaning and they come in a variety of colors.
○ Reclining lift chairs can be rented from C.N.Y. Medical for $150/month. According to their web site, weekly payment plans are not available. Patients who like the chair may opt to purchase it at a discount after they have rented it for a period of time.
● Manual wheelchairs are also available for rent through C.N.Y. Medical, but the company does not list their prices online for this item.
● C.N.Y. Medical Products also offers hospital beds for rent, but rental prices are also not listed online for this item.
Customer Service
Local delivery and setup within 30 miles of the showroom in Syracuse is included in the rental cost of a lift chair at C.N.Y. Medical. This company can work directly with the patient’s doctor to decide which products would be most beneficial for the patient. They manage all repairs and replacements on-site to ensure that the equipment performs as expected for many years. They work directly with major insurance providers to secure benefits for medical equipment including:
● Medicaid
● Medicaid Managed Plans
● Medicare
● Excellus BCBS
● Comp Carriers
● POMCO
● No Fault
● More…
Bussani Mobility Team
500 Central Avenue
Bethpage, NY 11714
855-982-8936
The Bussani Mobility Team serves the New York Metropolitan Area providing mobility vehicle product rentals.
Products
● Wheelchair vans
Rental wheelchair vans are available for individuals who aren’t ready to buy this type of vehicle yet. This is a try-before-you-buy program to allow patients to familiarize themselves with the equipment and decide which options provide the most benefits. All wheelchair minivans are 2012 or newer that provide either side or rear entry.
○ Rental rates are calculated according to the number of days the patient wishes to have the vehicle in their possession. The approximate cost is $140/day with 100 miles included. After 100 miles there is a cost of $0.25/mile. Customer vehicle insurance is required and customers must have a valid driver’s license.
● Scooter and wheelchair lifts
● Chair toppers
● Valet seating
● Transfer lifts
● Hand controls
Customer Service
As members of the National Mobility Equipment Manufacturer’s Association, the Bussani Mobility Team maintains the highest standards in the industry for both quality and customer service. The Bussani Mobility Team rents, sells, and services wheelchair accessible vans and they also provide custom adaptive driving equipment that can be installed on a variety of different types of vehicles. Their mobility consultants can help patients decide what mobility products would benefit them most from handicap vans to valet seating and transfer lifts.
This company can provide financing and insurance options to make a purchase more affordable. An on-site, full-service auto shop handles repairs and tune-ups for the products they rent and sell. Trade-in programs are available. They have three full-service locations throughout the New York area including one in Westchester and two on Long Island.
Drop-off and pick-up services are available for $125 (each way) through this company as well as 24-hour emergency assistance. After hours services are an additional fee. Vehicle damages are the renter’s responsibility and there is a $75.00 cleaning fee after the return of the vehicle.
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