Medicare.gov's durable medical equipment page gives a list of covered examples, and a blood pressure monitor is not on it. This guide explains what Medicare does cover, the free checks to ask for, and how to choose a monitor and a cuff that fit.
This guide starts with the free options, then covers coverage and how to choose. GMG does not test products. Our guidance comes from Medicare.gov, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the American Heart Association, validatebp.org and the specifications stated in the product listings, and we link to each source. This is general information, not medical advice.
📋Quick Summary
- Medicare.gov's DME page says covered equipment "includes, but isn't limited to" a list of examples. Blood pressure monitors are not in that list, so ask your provider or plan before you buy one if you hope for coverage.
- CMS does cover ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, a 24-hour test your doctor orders, once per year to diagnose high blood pressure in two situations. That is a test, not a monitor you keep.
- The American Heart Association recommends an automatic, cuff-style, upper arm monitor, and says wrist and finger monitors "give less reliable readings."
- The AHA says to choose a monitor that has been validated, and points to validatebp.org. It also says to measure around your upper arm and choose a monitor that comes with the correct cuff size.
- The AHA says to take your monitor to your next appointment so your healthcare professional can check that you are using it correctly.
| Home blood pressure monitors | Not on Medicare.gov's list of example DME items, so ask your provider or plan before you buy |
|---|---|
| 24-hour ambulatory monitoring | A test your doctor orders to diagnose high blood pressure in two situations, covered once per year |
| Home dialysis | CMS's manual lists blood pressure apparatus among the supplies included in the dialysis facility's payment |
| Medicare Advantage | If you have a plan, ask whether it covers a home monitor and which suppliers it uses |
Source: Medicare.gov: Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage
Who it is for
- People whose doctor has asked them to check blood pressure at home, and people choosing a monitor for the first time.
- Family members helping a parent pick a monitor and a cuff that fits.
Who should skip it
- If your doctor's office or a dialysis facility has already given you a monitor, ask them before buying another.
- If you have a question about your own readings, ask your healthcare professional. This guide is general information, not medical advice.
Start with the free options
Ask your doctor's office or pharmacist first. The American Heart Association says that if you are unsure which monitor to choose, you can ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist for advice. It also says to take your monitor to your next appointment, so your healthcare professional can check that you are using it correctly and getting the same results as the equipment in the office, and to bring it in once a year, or as directed by the company, to make sure the readings are accurate.
The validatebp.org device list is free to search. The Eldercare Locator, at 1-800-677-1116, connects you to local support resources for older adults and their families, and your state's SHIP counselors can help you read your plan's benefits for free.
What Medicare covers, and what it doesn't
Medicare.gov has no page on blood pressure monitors. Its DME page says Part B covers medically necessary durable medical equipment "if your doctor or other health care provider orders it for use in your home," that covered equipment "includes, but isn't limited to" a list of examples, and that Medicare "will only pay for DME items if you get them from suppliers who are enrolled in Medicare." Blood pressure monitors are not among the examples. Because the list is not complete, the safest step is to ask your provider or plan before you buy.
CMS does cover a related test. Its national coverage determination for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring covers the test "for the diagnosis of hypertension" in two situations: suspected white coat hypertension, and suspected masked hypertension. The policy sets blood pressure ranges for each, requires that the device be provided with oral and written instructions and a test run in the physician's office, and says the test is covered once per year. This is a 24-hour test your doctor sets up and interprets. It is not the same as buying a home monitor.
If you do dialysis at home, chapter 11 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual says instruments and nonmedical supplies, "such as scales, stopwatches, and blood pressure apparatus," are included in the payment to the dialysis facility. Ask your facility what it provides.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, ask the plan whether it covers a home blood pressure monitor and which suppliers it uses.
Choosing a monitor
The American Heart Association recommends an automatic, cuff-style, upper arm (biceps) monitor. It says wrist and finger monitors are not recommended because they give less reliable readings.
The AHA also says to choose a monitor that has been validated, and that when you are choosing one for a senior, you should make sure it is validated for them. Validatebp.org is the American Medical Association's Validated Device Listing. It says the validation testing documentation for every device is reviewed by an independent committee of experts and must meet the listing's criteria. Each device page shows the cuff sizes, the standard the device was tested to and the population it serves.
Both monitors below are listed on validatebp.org, and each page there shows the population served as "General Adult." If you have questions about whether a monitor suits you, ask your healthcare professional. A listing on validatebp.org describes how a device was tested. It is not a recommendation for your situation.
Getting the cuff size right
The American Heart Association says to measure around your upper arm and choose a monitor that comes with the correct cuff size, and that a cuff of the wrong size will cause an inaccurate reading. It suggests asking your healthcare professional to show you the cuff size and fit.
Each product card below states the cuff range the listing gives. The A&D listing also names smaller, medium and larger cuffs that are sold separately. If the cuff that comes in the box does not fit your arm, check the range before you buy.
Taking a reading at home
The American Heart Association lists these steps. Do not smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise within 30 minutes before. Do not take the measurement over clothing. Rest quietly for at least five minutes. Sit with your arm supported on a flat surface at heart level, with the bottom of the cuff directly above the bend of the elbow. Measure at the same time each day, take two readings one minute apart, and record the results.
The AHA says home monitoring does not replace regular doctor visits, and not to stop taking blood pressure medication without checking with your healthcare professional, whatever your home readings show.
Validated upper-arm monitors to compare
GMG has not tested these products. Each is listed because validatebp.org lists the same model number, the Amazon listing describes an upper-arm monitor with a cuff range, and each was sold by Amazon.com or the brand on the date checked. They are examples, not recommendations of particular brands. The product names and buttons are paid links.
OMRON Iron Blood Pressure Monitor & Upper Arm Blood Pressure Cuff
Upper-arm monitor
- Item model number BP5000, which validatebp.org lists as the Iron Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor, cuff 22-42 cm.
- Includes a wide-range D-ring cuff that the listing says fits arms 9 to 17 inches.
- Requires 4 AA batteries. The listing describes one-touch operation.
View on Amazonpaid linkA&D Medical UA-651 Blood Pressure Monitor for Home Use
Upper-arm monitor
- Model UA-651, which validatebp.org lists as the Essential Blood Pressure Monitor, with small, medium, wide-range and large cuffs.
- Includes a wide-range cuff for 8.6 to 16.5 inches. Small, medium and large cuffs are sold separately.
- One-button operation, one user, memory for 60 readings, and 4 AA batteries in the box.
View on Amazonpaid link
Listing details were checked on October 17, 2026 and can change. Confirm the model number and the cuff range for your arm before you buy.
- Your doctor's office or pharmacist: The AHA says to ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist for advice, and to have your healthcare professional check that you use the monitor correctly.
- validatebp.org: The American Medical Association's Validated Device Listing, free to search by brand, cuff and type.
- Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116. A public service that connects you to local support resources for older adults and their families.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): A free counselor can help you read your plan documents.
When a reading is very high
The American Heart Association says a single high reading is not an immediate cause for alarm. Take your blood pressure a second time and write down both results. If your readings are suddenly higher than 180/120 mm Hg, wait at least one minute and test again, and if they are still very high, contact your healthcare professional immediately. The AHA says to call 911 if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 and you have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, a change in vision or difficulty speaking.
Common questions about home blood pressure monitors
- Does Medicare cover a home blood pressure monitor?
- Medicare.gov has no page on home blood pressure monitors, and its list of example covered equipment does not include one. Because that list says it is not complete, ask your provider or plan before you buy.
- Does Medicare cover any blood pressure monitoring?
- CMS covers ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, a 24-hour test your doctor orders, to diagnose hypertension in two situations, once per year. It is a test your doctor sets up, not a monitor you keep.
- What kind of monitor does the American Heart Association recommend?
- The AHA recommends an automatic, cuff-style, upper arm monitor. It says wrist and finger monitors are not recommended because they give less reliable readings.
- What does validated mean?
- Validatebp.org is the American Medical Association's Validated Device Listing. It says validation testing documentation for every device is reviewed by an independent committee of experts.
- How do I choose the right cuff size?
- The AHA says to measure around your upper arm and choose a monitor that comes with the correct cuff size. A cuff of the wrong size gives an inaccurate reading, so ask your healthcare professional to check the fit.
- Should I take my monitor to my doctor?
- The AHA says to take your monitor to your next appointment so your healthcare professional can check that you use it correctly and that it matches the office equipment, and to bring it in once a year.
✅What This Means For You
Turning 65: Ask your doctor whether home monitoring is right for you, and which monitor and cuff to buy, before you shop.
Already on Medicare: Ask your provider or plan whether anything covers a home monitor before you buy, and take the monitor to your next appointment.
IRMAA-affected: Your income doesn't change these coverage rules. Ask your provider or plan first, then choose a validated model that fits your arm.
Medicare Advantage enrollees: Ask your plan whether it covers a home blood pressure monitor and which suppliers it uses.
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