Getting a wheelchair, oxygen machine, or diabetes supplies after a hospital stay should be quick. For years, though, it depended on paper forms and fax machines that caused delays. Parachute Health is a digital platform built to fix that. It offers a system to order durable medical equipment and other critical medical supplies for patients leaving the hospital. This guide explains what the platform does, who uses it, and why it has become a trusted name in healthcare technology.
What Is Parachute Health?
Parachute Health is a healthcare software company focused on durable medical equipment, often shortened to DME. It is a provider of medical equipment ordering software with a mission to improve patient care through transparent and seamless coordination of medical equipment and supplies.
The idea grew from a personal experience. Founder David Gelbard started the company in 2017 after his father faced frustrating delays getting a walker following back surgery, which highlighted how outdated the DME ordering process was.
Today the platform has wide reach. Parachute Health has the largest ePrescribing network in the U.S., with over 270,000 clinicians and 3,000 DME supplier locations using it.
Why Old DME Ordering Was a Problem
Before digital tools, ordering equipment was slow and error-prone. Orders moved through faxes, phone calls, and printed paperwork.
The main pain points included:
- Frequent errors. Research suggests more than 70% of DME orders contain documentation errors, forcing suppliers to request more information from clinicians.
- Long wait times. Signatures, resubmissions, and approvals stretched simple orders into days.
- No visibility. Patients and providers often had no way to know where an order stood.
These delays affected recovery, since people sometimes waited on essential equipment. If you want to understand how broader coverage issues shape care, this overview of health insurance plans and what to know gives helpful background.
How the Platform Works
The system guides each order step by step so nothing important is missed.
For Providers
The platform acts as a reliable ordering system, prompting users for all information relevant to the equipment being ordered, then assembling demographics, insurance details, and clinical notes into a complete order. Clinicians with signing authority can sign on-screen, by SMS, or through email using secure eSigning.
For Suppliers
Clean, complete orders reach suppliers digitally, which cuts back-and-forth requests. The company describes itself as a leading provider of technology solutions that free providers from complex processes while helping suppliers optimize their business.
For Patients
Patients are no longer left guessing. They use the platform to see full visibility of their order and receive real-time updates on expected delivery times and status changes.
Key Features That Stand Out
A few features explain why so many facilities adopt the platform:
- Guided ePrescribing that builds a complete order before it is sent.
- One-click eSigning through several secure methods.
- Real-time tracking for both providers and patients.
- EHR integration that pulls patient details directly from charts.
In June 2024, the company also launched an integrated solution that embeds prior authorization workflows directly into the prescribing process to reduce a common source of delay.
Real Benefits for Care
The biggest win is speed. When orders are placed on the platform, patients receive them 85% faster, and real-time order status visibility helps providers coordinate care.
Faster, cleaner orders also mean fewer denied claims and less administrative strain on busy clinics. That matters for people managing ongoing conditions, similar to the careful planning seen in stories like recovery and health journeys.
The platform supports common needs such as diabetes supplies, sleep apnea devices, and mobility equipment. It supports ePrescribing of durable medical equipment, including continuous glucose monitoring devices, and lets care teams order products digitally while tracking order status.
Is the Platform Secure?
Security and privacy are central, given the sensitive data involved. The company has completed SOC 2 Type 2 and SOC 1 Type 2 attestations and achieved HITRUST Risk-based 2-year certification for its platform and patient portal, covering security, privacy, and breach notification controls.
For readers comparing how different services handle benefits and access, this look at health service plans and key benefits is a useful reference. You can also explore how media coverage shapes health topics for wider context.
To learn more about durable medical equipment from official sources, the U.S. Medicare DME coverage page explains what may be covered, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offers broader policy details.
Who Uses Parachute Health?
The platform serves a wide range of care settings, from large hospital systems to small clinics. It was built with input from many healthcare providers and suppliers active in the DME ecosystem and accommodates diverse prescribing and signing workflows that tens of thousands of referral facilities rely on. Diabetes educators, primary care offices, and discharge teams are among its common users.
FAQs
What does Parachute Health actually do?
Parachute Health provides software that lets clinicians order durable medical equipment online instead of by fax or paper. The platform guides the order, collects signatures, and tracks delivery so patients get equipment faster.
Is Parachute Health free for providers?
Sign-up to use the ordering platform is generally free for clinicians, according to the company and partner descriptions. Always confirm current terms directly with Parachute Health, since features and access can vary by organization.
Can patients use it directly?
Patients can view and track their own orders through the platform. They receive real-time updates on status and expected delivery, which reduces uncertainty during recovery.
What kinds of equipment can be ordered?
Common items include wheelchairs, oxygen equipment, sleep apnea devices, and diabetes supplies such as continuous glucose monitors. The available products depend on the in-network suppliers connected to the system.
Is my health information safe on the platform?
Yes, the company holds recognized security and privacy certifications, including SOC 2 Type 2 and HITRUST certification. These standards cover data security, privacy, and breach notification practices.
Conclusion
Parachute Health shows how a simple digital tool can remove real friction from healthcare. By replacing slow paperwork with guided online orders, faster signing, and live tracking, it helps patients get the equipment they need sooner while easing the load on clinics and suppliers. If you found this guide helpful, explore more of our health explainers, including what we know about Hulk Hogan’s health, and share this article with anyone navigating medical equipment ordering.