U.S. implements new medical equipment accessibility and Medicare coverage rules

New federal requirements are taking effect to improve access to medical equipment for people with disabilities. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have established mandates for accessible equipment, including examination tables, weight scales, mammography machines, and X-ray machines.

Health care providers receiving HHS funding must generally have at least one accessible examination table and weight scale by July 8, 2026. State and local government-operated programs face a similar deadline of August 9, 2026. Providers are also required to purchase accessible equipment as they add or replace existing inventory.

In a separate regulatory development, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have introduced the Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device (RAPID) coverage pathway. This initiative aims to expedite national Medicare coverage for certain FDA Breakthrough Devices, potentially reducing the timeline from over a year to 60–90 days following FDA approval by aligning administrative review processes.