Study: DME use adds cost burden
By HME News Staff
Updated 9:13 AM CDT, Thu May 8, 2025
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Americans who rely on DME such as oxygen concentrators and CPAP devices face annual electricity increases ranging from $120 to more than $700, depending on device type, usage frequency and state electricity prices, according to a new study from researchers from Indiana University, Regenstrief Institute, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University. The research team, which focused on 11 of the most common types of DME used in the United States, correlates that usage costs can increase a household's monthly energy bill by up to 40%– and even higher in states with elevated electricity rates, such as Hawaii, California and Massachusetts. “Because we know health and wealth generally go hand in hand, people whose health is very compromised tend also to face strained financial circumstances,” said Kosali Simon, PhD, M.A., a Regenstrief research scientist and IU professor. “This is not a small expense for them. Patients are plugging in DME without knowing how much it will cost, but they may be in high need of that device. When we look at these numbers, depending on the state, cost increases could be burdensome.” Electricity costs could limit patient use of necessary in-home medical devices. While some Medicaid and Medicare programs cover expenses related to social drivers of health, they do not currently cover the electricity costs of DME. Addressing these hidden costs through insurance coverage could reduce financial stress, say researchers.
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