Choice Matters: Innovative Hospice DME Partnerships That Deliver Better Care

When durable medical equipment (DME) management is slow or constrained by outdated DME partnership models, patients feel the strain - and so do your financial bottom line and reputation.

Reliance on a single DME company can result in slow deliveries, limited product choices, rising costs, and, perhaps most importantly, a lack of contingency plans. Operational teams will have to spend hours chasing orders and reconciling service gaps, while professionals will have to deal with insufficient equipment for families who can’t wait any longer.

The risk punches above plain inefficiency: Outdated DME partnership models can erode patient comfort and trust.

Snapshot of Today’s Hospice DME Landscape

Single-vendor arrangements are prevalent in today’s hospice DME landscape.

And it isn’t hard to see why: At first, relying on one vendor only can seem like an easy alternative to juggling paperwork and orders across different providers. But, sooner or later, this model leads to concentrated risks.

Limited inventory options, inconsistent coverage across locations, vulnerability to outages and backorders… The list could go on and on. In essence, single-vendor DME models leave you without alternatives and backup plans.

The result is absolute dependency on pricing and availability without recourse. When in deep water, relying on a single option is never a good idea - and DME delays and unexpected problems are unavoidable.

Why 'The Way It’s Always Been Done' No Longer Works

Sticking with legacy contracts will always feel like the safer option.

However, cost pressures are rising. Every avoidable delay can become expensive, and reimbursement rates are becoming harder to maintain than ever.

Patient expectations are also getting higher. Families anticipate same-day setups and accurate ETAs suited to the promised care plan. Failing to meet these will inevitably result in a damaged reputation.

Behind-the-scenes logistics are also growing more complex, with more extensive coverage and rapid exchanges being called for. 

A one-size-fits-all vendor won’t be able to reliably meet these needs at scale — modern hospices require options.

Breaking the Mold in Action

Issues stemming from outdated single-vendor models require a forward-looking mindset — namely, one of multi-vendor networks, vendor-neutral strategies, and tech-enabled ordering systems.

Instead of relying on a single option, hospices should diversify supply. This means not getting into exclusive contracts with specific providers, but rather opening up to a whole market of vendors to fit your needs. Vendor-neutral strategies improve delivery times, reduce costs, and ensure you always get the best option available. 

However, for all of this to work, you need the right tech-enabled ordering systems. A solid digital infrastructure should centralize reports and orders into a single platform. 

Impact on Patient Care and Team Efficiency

When hospice medical equipment arrives quickly and fits the care plan, families can rest easy. They won't have to wait on their toes for that oxygen tank or wheelchair to reach their loved ones. In essence, it means peace of mind for the most important part of your hospice: your patients.

However, clinicians, nurses, and the rest of the staff will also be happier knowing that they can trust your systems. Reliable ETAs, reduced after-hours paperwork, less time chasing updates, and cleaner handoffs are a key part of driving up staff satisfaction.

Vendor-neutral hospice DME is at the core of this transformation, routing orders to the best-available supplier. 

Steps for Hospices To Begin the Shift

Shifting towards a vendor-neutral model isn’t as difficult as it might seem, but it’s crucial to take things slowly and review each step of the way.

Start by auditing your current vendor: Map your backorder history, success rates, price fluctuations, and coverage gaps. Review your current contract exhaustively. Is there enough transparency? What about backup plans?

Always evaluate your vendor based on performance — not on loyalty or past orders. At Qualis, we offer DME evaluations to help align your needs with what the market can provide.

Once you’re certain about switching to an innovative DME vendor-neutral model, it’s time to make the switch. And we’re ready to help.

How Qualis Supports the Transition

Qualis pairs a nationwide, vendor-neutral network with transparent data to connect your hospice with the best vendors out there. The Robust DME Vendor Network, comprising 6,300 vendor touchpoints nationwide, delivers plenty of backup plans and geographic coverage. Our Centralized Reporting platform ensures you have all the necessary info and metrics at hand to act quickly.

Through customized partnership models, you can align your workflow to a competitive market that offers thousands of options. It’s a modern alternative to relying on a single DME company, built to improve trust and reliability.

Switching DME Models: Contact Us Today

Outdated, single-vendor models create more risks than one can see: slow deliveries, item shortages, coverage blind spots, and limited recourses. A vendor-neutral approach restores choice and control, improving patient dignity and staff satisfaction at the same time.

Find out what a hospice-first DME model can do for your patients and teams. Connect with the Qualis team to discuss how a vendor-neutral model can transform your hospice’s DME strategy.