We often assume that renting medical equipment is cheaper than buying it. In 2026, that math is changing rapidly. The cost of renting Durable Medical Equipment (DME) has spiked this year. Inflation adjustments and labor shortages are driving these increases. Medicare updated its fee schedule with a 2.8% inflation hike for many items. Suppliers are also adding new “service” and “delivery” surcharges.
These fees often appear on your bill as separate line items. They cover the rising cost of gas and technician wages. For seniors on fixed incomes, these small additions compound quickly. You might be paying more for the same device you had last year. Here are the six medical rentals seeing the biggest price jumps in 2026.
1. CPAP Machines
Sleep apnea devices are now subject to higher monthly copays. Medicare classifies these as “capped rental” items. You rent them for 13 months before you own them. The 2026 fee schedule increase raises the monthly allowed amount. This means your 20% coinsurance payment is higher.
Suppliers are also stricter about compliance data. If you do not use the machine enough, they may repossess it. You might face a “restocking fee” if this happens. Replacing masks and hoses also costs more now. Those supply costs are often billed separately from the machine rental.
2. Portable Oxygen Concentrators
The cost of freedom has gone up. Renting a portable concentrator for travel is significantly more expensive. Suppliers have raised daily and weekly rates. A weekly rental can now exceed $250. This is due to high demand and battery shortages.
Medicare pays a flat monthly rate for standard oxygen. It rarely covers the full cost of premium portable units. You must pay the difference out of pocket. Many suppliers now add a “battery rental fee” as well. This extra charge covers the wear and tear on lithium-ion batteries.
3. Hospital Beds
Getting a hospital bed delivered to your home is pricier. The base rental rate has increased slightly. The real shock comes from the “setup” and “delivery” fees. Fuel costs and labor shortages have forced suppliers to charge more. You might see a one-time setup fee of $100 or more.
Medicare covers the bed itself if medically necessary. It does not always cover these extra logistics fees. You must check your contract for “non-covered service” clauses. If you live in a rural area, the delivery surcharge is often higher.
4. Power Wheelchairs
Complex rehab technology is facing a maintenance crisis. The rental cost for power wheelchairs includes a “maintenance and servicing” component. In 2026, the cost of labor for repairs has skyrocketed. Suppliers are passing this cost to the consumer.
You may be asked to sign a “service agreement” on top of the rental. This covers emergency repairs and battery replacements. Without it, you could pay high hourly rates for a technician. Medicare pays a portion, but the gap is widening.
5. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
Wound vacs are among the most expensive rental items. These pumps pull fluid from wounds to speed healing. Daily rental rates have climbed to nearly $50 per day in some regions. This totals over $1,400 per month without insurance.
Medicare coverage for these devices is strict. If your wound shows no improvement, coverage stops. You are then liable for the full daily rental rate. The disposable canisters and dressing kits are also billed separately. These “consumables” add hundreds of dollars to the monthly cost.
6. Patient Lifts
Home care relies heavily on hydraulic or electric patient lifts. Medicare often denies these as “convenience” items. They prefer to pay for a hospital bed instead. This forces families to rent lifts entirely out of pocket. The market for these devices is growing rapidly, driving up demand and prices.
Rental rates for electric lifts have surged. You might pay $200 per month or more. Manual hydraulic lifts are cheaper but physically harder to use. Delivery and assembly fees for these heavy items are also substantial.
Check the Purchase Option
Renting is not always the best financial move anymore. For items like hospital beds or lifts, calculate the “break-even” point. If you need the item for six months, buying might be cheaper. Ask your supplier for the “purchase price” upfront. Compare that to 13 months of rental payments. In 2026, owning the equipment often saves you from hidden monthly inflation.
Did your medical equipment supplier add a “delivery surcharge” this month? Leave a comment below—tell us how much extra you are paying!
You May Also Like…
Read the full article here
