A capped rental item is durable medical equipment (DME) (such as a wheelchair) that Medicare covers initially for rental, rather than for purchase, often because of its high cost. Medicare pays the rental fees for these items in monthly installments. You can keep a capped rental item as long as it is medically necessary and elect to buy it. After you rent for 13 months, ownership will automatically transfer to you. (Note: If you have been renting an item of DME since before January 1, 2006, you can continue to rent that item without purchasing if you choose.)