The DME Industry: Trends, Challenges, Technology, and the Future of Durable Medical Equipment

For recurring supplies, automated reminders can help patients understand when they may be eligible for a new shipment.

Better communication can also reduce the number of routine calls handled manually by customer service teams.

Data and Analytics for DME Providers

Data is another major asset for modern DME companies.

Managers can use operational data to monitor metrics such as:

• Claims submitted
• Claims paid
• Denial rates
• Days sales outstanding
• Inventory utilization
• Delivery performance
• Resupply activity
• Patient volumes
• Revenue by payer
• Revenue by product category
• Equipment utilization

Without reliable data, management decisions often depend on assumptions.

Analytics can help organizations identify bottlenecks and understand where resources are being used.

For example, a provider may discover that certain products frequently experience fulfillment delays or that a particular workflow generates a high percentage of billing errors.

Compliance and Security

Because DME providers handle sensitive patient information, security and compliance are critical.

Technology platforms used by DME businesses need appropriate safeguards for protecting patient data. Access controls, authentication, encryption, auditing, secure infrastructure, and appropriate contractual protections can all play important roles.