How to Donate Durable Medical Equipment

Durable medical equipment includes items such as blood glucose monitors, wheelchairs, nebulizers, catheters and hospital beds. If you have durable medical equipment that you do not need, you can donate it to a charitable organization. You can even donate used durable medical equipment as long as the items are in good condition and you are not missing any pieces or accessories. Medical equipment can be donated to charities that are local as well as national.

Instructions

• 1

  Sort the durable medical equipment you want to donate in three separate categories of "new," "open but not used" and "used." For the items that are used, make sure that everything is with the item including any cables, tubes and user manuals. Also, make sure that all items are in clean, working condition.

• 2

  Identify a charity for your donation by looking on the Operation Giving Back or Smart Givers Network websites (see Resources). You may also find some local organizations in your area that accept durable medical equipment donations that are not listed on either site, such as the Jewish Family & Children's Services of Southern Arizona. If you prefer a local place, just ask for referrals at your local assisted living facility or nursing home.

• 3

  Prepare your items for donation. If you are making the donation to an organization that requires you to ship the equipment, be sure to find out the organization's preferred shipping method. If you are shipping large items, such as a wheelchair, you may need to use a shipping service that can crate the larger items. In some instances, the organization may have a shipping number you can use to do this.

• 4

  Get your durable medical equipment donation to the organization that you have selected. If it is a local place, you can drop it off during an approved time. Otherwise, you need to make shipping arrangements. Some organizations may also have a pickup service where someone comes to your house or office to pickup the donated durable medical equipment.