Deadline Fast Approaching for Medical Practices to Have Accessible Diagnostic Equipment — Is Your Practice Ready?

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5/22/2026

On July 8, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implemented new accessibility requirements for medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) used by all public and private entities receiving HHS funding, including Medicare and Medicaid participants.  These requirements apply to doctors, dentists, hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, and other health care providers that receive HHS funding and use MDE to provide healthcare services.  MDE includes, but is not limited to, examination tables, examination chairs for eye or dental exams and procedures, weight scales, mammography equipment, x-ray machines, and other radiological equipment commonly used for diagnostic purposes by health professionals.

Highlights of the New Requirements

  • Effective July 8, 2026, all HHS-funded entities that use exam tables and weight scales must have at least one accessible examination table and one accessible weight scale that conform to the U.S. Access Board standards for accessible MDE.
  • If an HHS-funded entity purchases, acquires, or leases MDE after July 8, 2024, the MDE must meet applicable accessibility standards until the entity satisfies the required threshold for its equipment inventory.
    • For most healthcare settings that utilize MDE, including physician offices, hospitals and outpatient entities, the threshold is at least 10% of each type of MDE in use in the facility (but no fewer than one unit) must meet the accessibility standards.
    • For entities specializing in the treatment of conditions affecting mobility, such as rehabilitation centers and physical therapy entities, the threshold is at least 20% of each type of MDE in use in the facility (but no fewer than one unit) must meet the accessibility standards.
  • Entities must ensure they have staff trained to operate the accessible MDE.
  • Entities must ensure they have staff trained to assist patients with disabilities in transferring to the accessible equipment and positioning them on the equipment.

We Can Help

To ensure full compliance with the new accessibility requirements, contact us to address any questions you may have.

John D. Fanburg, Esq., Managing Member and Chair, Healthcare Law, jfanburg@bracheichler.com, 973.403.3107

Edward Hilzenrath, Esq., Member, Healthcare Law, ehilzenrath@bracheichler.com, 973.403.3114

Vanessa Coleman, Esq., Associate, Healthcare Law, vcoleman@bracheichler.com, 973.364.5208

*This is intended to provide general information, not legal advice. Please contact the authors if you need specific advice.

Related Practices:   Healthcare Law

Related Industry:   Healthcare