Why Do I Need a Prescription for Medical Equipment?

Acquiring most orthopedic rehabilitation equipment isn’t as straightforward as walking into your neighborhood store. To gain access to powerful medical equipment, you need a prescription from your doctor. The reason for this is because orthopedic equipment—if used the wrong way or by the wrong person—has the potential to do more harm than good. 

Below, we explain why prescriptions are important, who can write prescriptions for medical equipment, and why it’s dangerous to use medical devices without a doctor’s guidance. 

Why Prescriptions Are Regulated

Medical equipment and pharmaceuticals have long been regulated, with federal standards going back to the mid-1800s in the United States. However, in the last 175 years, technology has skyrocketed, bringing new inventions and innovations to the health industry every year. While each new medical device or gadget brings great potential for those who need it, it can also bring great risk if misused.   

For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines which medical devices need special approval to obtain. This approval comes in the form of a prescription. 

Who Can Write a Prescription for Medical Equipment?

Many medical professionals can write a prescription for orthopedic rehabilitation equipment. While specific devices may require a prescription from a particular doctor and some states have different requirements than others, generally, the following can write a prescription for medical equipment: 

• Doctor of medicine
• Doctor of osteopathy 
• Doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine
• Chiropractor 
• Doctor of podiatric medicine
• Doctor of optometry

Typically, practitioners like a naturopath or a non-licensed holistic professional cannot write a prescription. It’s also important to note that if you’re expecting to have insurance billed, the providing surgeon has to be the one to write the prescription. 

Why Prescriptions Help Prevent Contraindications

Medical rehabilitation equipment—such as cold therapy machines, continuous passive motion (CPM) devices, and sequential compression devices (SCDs)—may seem like the perfect tool for recovery, but they must be used with precision and care. That’s where prescriptions play a critical role. A prescription ensures that the equipment is not only appropriate for your specific condition but also safe based on your overall health profile.

Using rehab equipment without medical oversight can lead to serious complications. For example, a cold therapy machine may seem ideal for reducing post-surgical swelling, but if a patient has vascular issues or compromised skin integrity, the cold exposure could cause tissue damage or worsen circulation. Similarly, compression devices can help prevent blood clots, but they can be dangerous for individuals with undiagnosed peripheral arterial disease or heart failure.

Physicians consider factors like your diagnosis, medical history, medications, and risk factors when prescribing rehab equipment. Without that individualized assessment, there's a real danger of contraindications—scenarios where the use of a particular device could cause harm instead of helping.

In short, what works for one patient could be dangerous for another. Prescriptions act as a safeguard, ensuring that every piece of equipment is used in the right context, with the right precautions, and for the right amount of time.

Choosing the Safe Route

Here at the medcom group, your safety, well-being, and healing are our main concerns, as well as your doctor’s. We’ll only rent or sell equipment to patients with a valid prescription (if a prescription is needed for that particular product), but if you believe a machine would be beneficial to you, be sure to inquire about its suitability for your condition. Your doctor may not have considered that option, or they can educate you on why another treatment plan is a better plan for your specific case. 

No matter what device your doctor recommends, the medcom group has you covered with a vast inventory of products. Contact one of our patient care representatives today to learn more and order your (prescribed) equipment today.