Local medical supply storefront

Patients, family caregivers, and people leaving the hospital or rehab. Assisted living homes, home care agencies and clinics can also be regular buyers.

Markup on products sold in the store, plus repeat sales of consumables like dressings and supplies. Some owners add equipment rentals (e.g., wheelchairs, knee scooters) and bulk orders for care settings.

• Friendly, patient customer service
• Learning product details and sizing
• Inventory and supplier management
• Building referrals with local clinics

• Selling to Medicare or Medicaid patients usually means DMEPOS enrollment, accreditation and a surety bond, so check whether you want to stay cash-pay at first
• Some states license or register medical equipment suppliers, and certain items (like oxygen) have extra rules, so check with your state licensing board
• Some devices are regulated by the FDA, so buy from reputable distributors and keep records
• General liability and product liability insurance, plus the risk of giving anything that sounds like medical advice
• Inventory ties up cash, and slow-moving sizes and models can sit on the shelf; check how your state taxes medical items

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your inventory, shop lease and fit-out, and insurance. Inventory ties up cash, so these estimates depend heavily on what you stock at the start.

Monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your location, product range, and referrals from clinics and care providers. These are estimates of revenue, not profit, and the idea assumes about 35 hours a week.

Check whether selling to Medicare or Medicaid patients means DMEPOS enrollment, accreditation and a surety bond. Check state licensing for equipment suppliers, FDA-regulated devices, liability insurance, and how your state taxes medical items.