From Hospital to Home Without the Headaches: How Technology Can Smooth the Transition

Each year, more than 8 million patients in the U.S. are discharged from hospitals with a critical need for durable medical equipment (DME) — devices like oxygen concentrators, ventilators and mobility aids that are not just conveniences, but lifelines. Hospital discharge should mark the start of recovery, but instead the transition to home is often filled with hurdles that can threaten patients’ health and safety. 

Discharging physicians are required to complete extensive paperwork to justify medical necessity and insurance coverage for DME. To ensure well-coordinated care after discharge, physicians and case managers also must communicate detailed information about the patient’s condition, equipment needs and follow-up care to the disparate parties who will support that patient after discharge, including equipment providers, home health agencies, primary care providers and the family. These time-consuming processes are rarely straightforward and often require the use of disconnected systems or paper processes, which can delay discharge and equipment access. 

In California hospitals, 45% of case managers say they “always” or “often” have problems obtaining necessary DME for Medicare beneficiaries, according to a 2022 report. To compensate for delays, nearly 68% of those hospitals delay discharge, more than 25% provide equipment at their own expense, and a third loan equipment to patients until their order is delivered.

Patients and their families, too, shoulder the burden of DME complexities. They may find themselves having to coordinate with multiple equipment suppliers to secure everything they need — juggling multiple prescriptions, deliveries and visits to DME provider locations while also navigating insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs. Once at home, families may struggle with broken or outdated equipment and limited training on how to use it.

Modernizing DME

The healthcare industry can and must do better. Imagine a system where DME complications are minimized or eliminated — with enhanced interoperability that allows DME providers, physicians and payers to seamlessly exchange data about DME orders, usage, and patient needs; and patients and families are fully supported by getting the right equipment exactly when they need it.

By embracing new technologies, from AI and automation to patient self-service tools and more, we can take that vision into reality. 

Here are three things healthcare leaders should consider for improving the DME process to make the hospital-to-home experience more efficient and less stressful for all stakeholders.

1. Automating repetitive tasks like documentation, claims processing, and billing – From intelligent routing of patient orders for DME to real-time insurance verification, claims review and submission, automated systems can strengthen access to DME and streamline reimbursement to ensure patients receive the equipment they need, when they need it. Automated technologies also ease the burden of repetitive manual tasks for physicians and case managers — meeting prescribers where they are to support speedy discharge and offering increased confidence that patients will experience coordinated care beyond hospital walls. In 2025 and beyond, prime opportunities for automating administrative tasks related to DME include patient intake, order entry, documentation, billing and payment.

2. Applying predictive analytics to streamline logistics and anticipate patient needs – When combined with machine learning, predictive analytics can forecast inventory needs based on usage patterns by population segment or geography. These tools have become increasingly reliable for inventory management, enabling DME providers to reduce delays by tracking and updating the status and location of equipment and automatically placing orders to replenish supplies. Moreover, predictive analytics allows DME providers to better anticipate patient needs by identifying usage patterns based on demographics, treatment plans and health trends. This level of insight enables DME providers to proactively fulfill individualized equipment orders and anticipate when patients will require resupplies or new devices, minimizing the chances of gaps in care.

3. Improving the patient experience with self-service tools – As online portals have become an accepted and expected part of patients’ healthcare experience, DME should be no different. Implementing these digital solutions can empower patients to take control of the DME experience by replacing the need for multiple phone calls or in-person visits with online access to real-time order status, supply re-ordering, insurance submissions, payment processing, secure messaging and more. The result is a more seamless experience where patients are better equipped to manage their own health needs without frustration or delay.

Modernizing DME isn’t just about convenience, it’s a matter of care. It’s about helping patients return home safely and stay focused on their health instead of struggling with the logistics of accessing these lifesaving supports. By leaning into new technologies and digital strategies, the healthcare industry can better support providers, patients and families, enabling optimal health outcomes at home.

Photo: JuSun, Getty Images

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