What is a Certificate of Medical Necessity?

Tag: insurance-and-health-plans

Published: December 10, 2025

Last Updated: January 13, 2026

Summary

Discover what a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) is and how it ensures patients get insurance‑covered medical supplies like incontinence, ostomy, and wound care products.

If you’ve ever tried to use your health insurance benefits to cover medical supplies, you may have been told that you first need a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN). That begs two questions: What is it, and how do I get one?

A Certificate of Medical Necessity is a document that confirms a need for medical supplies. It’s a vital part of the healthcare process, because it ensures that healthcare dollars are being used as efficiently as possible. And it will help you get medical supplies.

A Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) is an official state document that establishes why you need certain medical supplies. It lets insurance companies know that you’ve seen a physician, and that the physician has determined you need medical supplies as part of your treatment.

Each state has its own requirements for what information needs to be included. This could include:

• Doctor’s diagnosis
• Product type
• Quantities needed

Some states will only accept CMNs that they have issued. Because of this, you may not be able to use one state’s CMN in place of another (even if the information on them is the same).

The first step to getting a Certificate of Medical Necessity is visiting your doctor to get a diagnosis. Only a doctor or physician can determine if the supplies you need are medically necessary.

Once you’ve received your diagnosis, it’s time to contact us and enroll. We’ll handle the Certificate of Medical Necessity for you, so you won’t have to worry about it. The process is simple:

1. Once you’ve enrolled, we’ll contact your doctor and send them the correct CMN to fill out.
2. Your doctor will return it to us, and we’ll submit it to your insurance on your behalf.
3. If your insurance needs to authorize supplies before you can get them, we’ll handle that as well.
4. Once that’s done, you can start getting your medical supplies.

If you’ve already been diagnosed, contact us today. We can get to work obtaining your Certificate of Medical Necessity (or any other paperwork that’s needed) right now.

Living with a chronic condition that requires medical supplies?

Let us help you get the products you need — delivered discreetly to your door.

Many people manage ongoing health conditions, and the right medical supplies can make all the difference. The team at HCD works with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to support a wide range of needs, including urological, ostomy, diabetes, and wound care. We’ll help ensure you get the supplies you need to manage your condition with confidence.

Call 866-938-3906 to see if you qualify or reach out through our Contact Us form by selecting “An individual looking to see if I or a loved one qualifies for medical supplies.”