Summary
The American Association for Homecare’s white paper, A Day Without an HME, explores the critical role home medical equipment (HME) providers play in the healthcare system—and what would happen if they weren’t there. Far beyond delivering equipment, HME providers educate patients, ensure proper setup and use, coordinate with healthcare teams, and help individuals live safely and independently at home. The paper highlights how these services directly support better patient outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and lower overall healthcare costs.
Without HME providers, the report warns, patients and caregivers would face major challenges, including delayed discharges, higher out-of-pocket costs, and reduced access to essential care and education. Hospitals and referral sources would struggle with logistics and compliance burdens, while payers could see increased costs as patients return to more expensive hospital settings.
The white paper also calls attention to declining reimbursement rates and industry consolidation, which threaten access to quality home medical care. It urges policymakers and payers to recognize HME providers not merely as product suppliers but as vital healthcare partners whose work supports the health, independence, and quality of life of millions of Americans.
Read the full white paper here.