Market Scenario
U.S. durable medical equipment market was valued at US$ 80.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit the market valuation of US$ 137.9 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period 2025–2033.
Key Findings in U.S. Durable Medical Equipment Market
Demand in the U.S. durable medical equipment market is being fundamentally shaped by clinical and demographic realities. The nation's healthcare infrastructure creates a massive, concentrated customer base. There are 15,170 certified skilled nursing facilities and 1,209 inpatient rehabilitation facilities active in 2025, representing millions of beds requiring equipment. This institutional demand is matched by a vast patient population. For instance, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's resource center served over 120,000 individuals in 2024 alone, quantifying a specific high-need user group. The market is further supported by a robust network of 9,886 active Medicare-enrolled suppliers as of January 2024, ensuring widespread product access.
Regulatory and procedural volumes provide a consistent catalyst for equipment needs in the U.S. durable medical equipment market. The FDA's clearance of 7 new powered wheelchair designs and 112 physical medicine devices in 2024 signals an ongoing need for innovation. Furthermore, over 4,500 adverse event reports for wheelchairs were filed in 2024, driving demand for safer and more advanced replacement products. The sheer volume of transactions is immense. CMS processed over 15 million claims related to DMEPOS in the fourth quarter of 2024, highlighting the constant flow of equipment into the healthcare system. This activity is a direct result of the clinical needs of millions of Americans.
Financial support and technological advancement are translating these needs into tangible sales. A standard power wheelchair receives a CMS purchase reimbursement of $4,917.30 in 2025, while a complex model has a monthly rental fee of $289.43. The Veterans Health Administration's 2025 budget also allocates over $5 billion for categories including DME. Simultaneously, a technology-driven demand shift is underway. An estimated 8 million U.S. patients are using DME with remote monitoring in 2025, with 42 active clinical trials for next-generation exoskeletons.
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Top 2 Opportunities Shaping Growth in the U.S. Durable Medical Equipment Market
Chronic Disease Epidemic Cements Device Dominance in the Market
The overwhelming 92% market share of monitoring and therapeutic devices is a direct reflection of the escalating chronic disease burden in the U.S. durable medical equipment market. With 194 million American adults living with at least one chronic condition, the need for equipment that facilitates long-term management is immense. These devices, ranging from blood glucose meters for the 31.9 million adults with diabetes to oxygen concentrators, are no longer just hospital fixtures but essential tools for daily life. The demand is further intensified by an aging population, set to exceed 80 million individuals over 65 by 2040, who are more susceptible to such long-term illnesses. This demographic reality ensures a sustained and growing customer base for the foreseeable future.
The shift towards home-based care, a trend accelerated by patient preference and cost-effectiveness, also plays a pivotal role in the U.S. durable medical equipment market. By 2025, an estimated 71 million Americans are expected to utilize remote patient monitoring services, underscoring the move away from traditional clinical settings. This decentralization of healthcare delivery inherently boosts the sales of portable and user-friendly monitoring and therapeutic equipment. It empowers patients to manage their health proactively while reducing the strain on healthcare facilities, a crucial factor as national health spending continues its upward trajectory.
Market Dynamics
The Outpatient Revolution Reshapes Demand for Post-Acute Durable Medical Equipment
The rapid migration of surgical procedures from hospitals to outpatient settings is creating a new demand profile within the U.S. durable medical equipment market. There are now over 6,250 Medicare-certified Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) as of 2025, a number that has grown steadily. These centers performed more than 2.5 million orthopedic procedures in 2024, directly fueling the need for post-operative recovery equipment used at home. CMS is accelerating the trend, adding 267 new surgical codes to the ASC-covered list for 2024. A key benefit driving this shift is a reduction in post-operative complications, with ASC-based knee replacements showing 15 fewer readmissions per 1,000 cases compared to hospital settings.
This shift directly translates to home-based equipment needs. The "Hospital-at-Home" model, now active with waivers at over 300 U.S. hospitals, served more than 25,000 patients in 2024. Each patient in the durable medical equipment market requires a package of DME, including hospital beds and patient monitors. For specific procedures like outpatient knee arthroplasty, the average rental duration for a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine is 14 days. To manage this, over 800 new partnerships were formed between ASCs and home health agencies in 2024. The average number of prescribed at-home physical therapy sessions following an outpatient orthopedic procedure is 12, each requiring items like resistance bands and portable stairs. The U.S. currently has over 17,300 home health agencies facilitating this transition.
Empowered Consumers and Retail Channels Are Creating a New DME Marketplace
A powerful consumer-driven trend is reshaping the U.S. durable medical equipment market, moving it beyond traditional prescription models. Financial autonomy is a primary driver. Over 37 million Americans held a Health Savings Account (HSA) in 2024, with total assets exceeding $120 billion. These account holders spent an estimated $4.5 billion on eligible medical equipment in 2024. Consumers are actively researching their options. There were over 8 million unique Google searches in the U.S. for "best knee brace" in 2024. The recent FDA rule for over-the-counter (OTC) devices has supercharged the trend. More than 1.5 million OTC hearing aids were sold through retail channels in the 12 months following the rule's full implementation.
E-commerce and retail giants are now key players in US durable medical equipment market distribution. Amazon's healthcare marketplace now lists over 45,000 DME-related SKUs as of January 2025. Venture capital is funding this shift, with DME e-commerce platforms raising over $250 million in 2024. This model is expanding into specialized areas. There are now 5 major direct-to-consumer online platforms for sleep apnea supplies, bypassing traditional DME suppliers. The physical retail footprint is also adapting. Over 12,000 independent pharmacies in the U.S. expanded their DME offerings in 2024 to include items like rollators and lift chairs. The total number of independent DME retail storefronts, not affiliated with a hospital, reached 7,200 in 2025.
Segmental Analysis
Monitoring & Therapeutic Devices: A 92% Market Domination Fueled by Chronic Conditions
Monitoring and therapeutic devices form the largest product segment in the U.S. durable medical equipment market, commanding a remarkable 92% share. This dominance is propelled by a confluence of factors, primarily the escalating prevalence of chronic diseases and a significant demographic shift towards an aging population.
These devices encompass a wide range of products essential for managing long-term health issues from home or in clinical settings. Examples include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines for sleep apnea, oxygen concentrators for respiratory conditions, blood glucose monitors for diabetes, and cardiac monitors for heart-related ailments. The demand is further amplified by a growing patient preference for home-based care, which offers convenience and cost-effectiveness. Technological advancements are also a major driver, leading to more user-friendly, portable, and interconnected devices that allow for remote patient monitoring and timely medical interventions.
The impact of chronic diseases on the the U.S. durable medical equipment market cannot be overstated. As of 2023, approximately 194 million adults in the U.S. reported having at least one chronic condition. The number of individuals with three or more chronic conditions reached 29.3 million in 2022. This widespread prevalence necessitates continuous monitoring and long-term therapeutic support, directly fueling the demand for durable medical equipment. The aging population exacerbates this trend, with projections indicating that by 2040, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will surpass 80 million.
Hospitals: The Epicenter of DME Consumption with a 29% Market Share
Hospitals stand as the largest end-user segment in the U.S. durable medical equipment market, capturing a significant 29% of the market share. Their position as the primary consumers is driven by high patient inflow, the need for a comprehensive range of medical equipment to treat diverse and acute conditions, and their role in initiating long-term care plans that often involve durable medical equipment post-discharge.
Hospitals are equipped with advanced medical technologies and skilled healthcare professionals, making them the first point of contact for patients with severe chronic disease exacerbations or acute medical events. These facilities require an extensive inventory of DME, including hospital beds, patient lifts, wheelchairs, infusion pumps, and advanced monitoring systems to deliver effective care. The high volume of surgeries and treatments performed in hospitals across the U.S. durable medical equipment market also necessitates a constant supply and replacement of such equipment.
Furthermore, the growing number of hospitals contributes to the segment's dominance. For instance, the recent opening of specialized facilities, such as Orlando Health's orthopedic hospital in 2023, points to an expanding infrastructure that requires new and updated durable medical equipment. As hospitals manage the transition of patients back to their homes or to other care settings, they play a crucial role in prescribing and arranging for the necessary DME, solidifying their central role in the market.
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Top 10 Dynamic Buyouts and Capital Infusions Drive New Era in U.S. Durable Medical Equipment Market
Top Companies in the U.S. Durable Medical Equipment Market
Market Segmentation Overview
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