How to Package Durable Medical Equipment

A durable medical equipment is any type of home medical device that aids in the patient's quality of life. Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies cover the cost of durable medical equipment as prescribed by a medical provider. Examples of some durable medical equipment are wheelchairs, walking aids, oxygen tanks, catheters, prosthetic limbs and joints, blood glucose monitors, chair lifts and iron lungs. The packaging of such items in preparation for shipment varies greatly depending on the item.

Things You'll Need

• Package container
• Bubble wrap or cushion material
• Packing tape
• Label

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine the size of container needed to ship the item. Measure the equipment's dimensions including width, height, circumference and weight.

• 2

  Choose a packaging container based upon total size, destination and equipment function.

• 3

  Encapsulate the medical equipment in a minimum of six layers of bubble wrap or similar wrapping material.

• 4

  Place the wrapped medical device into the packaging container. Fill in empty spaces with more bubble wrap, Styrofoam or other cushioning material.

• 5

  Secure package openings by applying a minimum of three layers of packing tape on all box or container sides, tops and bottoms.

• 6

  Label the item as medical equipment. Write fragile on the container and "this side up."

• 7

  Place the packaging label on the top of the container. Be sure it is easy to see, read and understand.

• 8

  Take the package to a trusted shipping company like the United States Post Office, UPS or FedEx.