Caregivers 101: Getting Home Medical Equipment in Florida
New caregiver guide to home medical equipment in Florida — prescriptions, insurance, delivery timelines and ongoing support.
Becoming a caregiver often happens fast — a parent's fall, a spouse's diagnosis, a hospital discharge with a long list of new equipment. If you're new to navigating home medical equipment (DME) in Florida, here's a practical starting guide.
Step 1: Get a Prescription or Order
Most DME requires a written order from a physician specifying the equipment and medical reason. If your loved one was just hospitalized, the discharge team usually initiates this — see our guide on how DME works after hospital discharge.
Step 2: Confirm Insurance Coverage
Medicare, Florida Medicaid, and most private insurers cover DME when medically necessary. Coverage and any prior authorization requirements vary by plan and equipment type — our DME insurance coverage guide breaks this down, and you can check specific payers on our insurance page.
Step 3: Choose an Accredited Supplier
Work with a Medicare-accredited, in-network DME supplier who can verify coverage, deliver equipment, and provide setup instruction. AHCEQUIP has served South Florida families since 1988 and is Joint Commission accredited.
Common Equipment New Caregivers Encounter
- Mobility: wheelchairs, walkers, rollators — see our mobility equipment options
- Respiratory: oxygen concentrators, nebulizers — see our home oxygen setup guide
- Sleep health: CPAP/BiPAP machines — see CPAP therapy services
- Daily living: hospital beds, commodes, patient lifts
Caregiver Support Resources
Caring for a loved one is demanding, and you don't have to figure it out alone. The Family Caregiver Alliance offers free resources on caregiver training and respite support. AHCEQUIP's team is also available to answer day-to-day equipment questions as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be the patient to order equipment, or can a caregiver do it?
A caregiver can coordinate the order, but the prescription must come from the patient's physician.
How quickly can equipment be delivered?
Once insurance is verified, most equipment can be delivered within 1–2 business days; urgent discharge orders are often expedited.
What if the patient's insurance changes?
Contact your DME supplier to re-verify coverage — equipment already in use generally isn't affected, but resupply and future orders will follow the new plan's rules.
Who do I call if equipment isn't working properly?
Your DME supplier should provide ongoing support — AHCEQUIP offers on-call assistance for urgent equipment issues.
New to caregiving and need equipment set up at home? Contact AHCEQUIP and our team will walk you through every step.
