Are inhalers and nebulizers covered by Medicare?

Question

Gary Church · Accepted Answer

Medicare under Part B covers a nebulizer. Inhalers fall under Part D of the drug plan.  Be sure to check which drug plan has the best coverage.

Pamela Masters · Answer

Not by original Medicare. They are a part D drug and would be covered under a Medicare advantage plan that has prescription drug coverage in the plan or a stand alone prescription drug plan. 
Each plan has a medication list which is called a formulary. Plans cover inhalers and meds that go in nebulizers,  but each plan has its own list so always check to see if your brand is covered by the plan you wish to enroll in. 
An agent can help you find out what medications are on the list for a certain plan.

Steven Graves · Answer

Many inhalers and nebulizers are covered under Medicare drug plans. You should check with your specific plan to confirm whether the medication is covered and to find out the applicable deductible and/or co-pay.

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Sherry Rose · Answer

Yes—Medicare covers both, but under different parts. Nebulizers (and the medications used with them) are typically covered under Part B as durable medical equipment when medically necessary. Inhalers are usually covered under a Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan, and coverage depends on the plan’s formulary.

Answered by Sherry Rose on June 8, 2026

Broker Licensed in Ga, AL, AR & 5 other states

Answered by Sherry Rose Medicare Insurance Agent

Lilyana Uzdenova-Gomez · Answer

Original Medicare consists of parts A and B. Parts A and B do not usually cover drugs, unless they qualify for a few exceptions, injectibles, chemo, infusions or nebulizers under part B. 
Drugs are usually covered under part D which has to be enrolled into as a stand alone plan or part C, combined with the health plan. When you choose the part D or part C plan you can search the carrier’s formulary (drug list) to find out if the specific inhaler is covered. Even though the carrier has to have a drug for each therapeutic category, they can choose which options to cover and make available.

Kevin Dover · Answer

Yes, Inhalers are covered under Medicare Part D.  Nebulizers are considered Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and covered under Part B.

Lynn Bement · Answer

For Inhalers you need to look at the drug formulary for your plan. In some instances if your particular Inhaler is not listed you may need prior authorization and/or step therapy. Nebulizer is a covered DME (durable medical equipment)

Answered by Lynn Bement on March 16, 2026

Broker Licensed in NY, AZ, FL & 6 other states

Answered by Lynn Bement Medicare Insurance Agent

Ron Cronwell · Answer

Generally yes. But individual plans may not include all brands of inhalers or nebulizers. Each does require a prescription. In the case of nebulizers, there may be some hardware required which might be covered under part B.

Answered by Ron Cronwell on December 6, 2025

Agent Licensed in TN

Answered by Ron Cronwell Medicare Insurance Agent

Kathy Detweiler · Answer

Yes, Medicare covers inhalers and nebulizers. 
Nebulizers are covered as durable medical equipment (DME) under Medicare Part B, while inhalers are covered as prescription drugs under Part D or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that includes Part D coverage.
Nebulizers and necessary medications used with them, as well as replacement parts and repairs are covered under Part B, which covers DME for home use. You must have a prescription, and the equipment must be obtained from a Medicare-approved supplier.

 Prescription inhalers themselves, which are covered as a prescription drug.
through Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage. Coverage and costs vary by plan, so check your plan's specific details and formulary.

Juan Beraldi · Answer

The coverage of inhalers and nebulizers varies. Some of these devices are covered by Part D (prescription drugs). The list of these medications will be available on the insurance plan formulary by name, and some of them may not be covered.

Answered by Juan Beraldi on December 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in TN, AL, FL, KY, MS & NC

Answered by Juan Beraldi Medicare Insurance Agent

Meghan Blankenship · Answer

Yes — Medicare covers both inhalers and nebulizers, but under different parts of the program. Inhalers are covered by Medicare Part D (prescription drug plans), while nebulizers and the medications used in them are covered by Medicare Part B as durable medical equipment (DME).

Answered by Meghan Blankenship on December 3, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, MD & OH

Answered by Meghan Blankenship Medicare Insurance Agent

Antonio Rodriguez · Answer

Yes—Medicare does cover inhalers and nebulizers, but it depends on the type:

• Nebulizer machines & the medication for them are usually covered under Medicare Part B as durable medical equipment (DME).
• Inhalers (like rescue inhalers or maintenance inhalers) are usually covered under Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage.

Michael Kim · Answer

It is covered by a Medicare Advantage Plans? In most states the Medicare Advantage plans are $0 Monthly Premiums and cover both Medical and Prescriptions along with ancillary benefits like Dental, Hearing, and Vision.

Answered by Michael Kim on December 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in NV, AR, AZ & 18 other states

Answered by Michael Kim Medicare Insurance Agent

Angelina Watkins · Answer

Inhalers are covered under Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Nebulizers administered in a doctor's office or hospital are covered under Part B.

Chris Lewis · Answer

Yes, Medicare generally covers inhalers and nebulizers. It should be noted that for the equipment that will be covered by Part B of Medicare while the prescription drug itself would fall under coverage afforded from Part D.

Answered by Chris Lewis on December 5, 2025

Broker Licensed in AL & GA

Answered by Chris Lewis Medicare Insurance Agent

Penny Wegner · Answer

Yes, but differently. Your Part D, prescription insurance, covers inhalers for asthma and COPD. Your Medicare Part B covers nebulizer machines and medications for use of it under Durable Medical Equipment (DME).

Answered by Penny Wegner on February 2, 2026

Agent Licensed in WI, CA, CO & 8 other states

Answered by Penny Wegner Medicare Insurance Agent

Are inhalers and nebulizers covered by Medicare?

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Are inhalers and nebulizers covered by Medicare?

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