Should You Buy Direct or Through Distributors? A Lesson to DME Procurement Specialists

Pros and Cons for DME Procurement

When it comes to sourcing orthopedic supports and braces for your clinic, retail business, or DME company, choosing whether to buy direct from a supplier or through a distributor can significantly impact your profit margins, efficiency, and—most importantly—patient outcomes.

If you're searching for the best DME orthopedic brace and support supplier, understanding the pros and cons of each approach is essential. Below, we break down the key differences and share why more DME businesses are turning to Med Braces Direct as their go-to supplier.

 

 

Buying Through Distributors

Pros:

  • Established supply chains
     Distributors often work with a wide range of manufacturers and may carry popular brands.

  • Multi-brand access
     Convenient if you're seeking multiple manufacturers under one roof.

  • Familiarity
     If you’ve worked with a distributor before, the process may feel familiar.

Cons:

  • Higher prices
     Distributors typically apply markups—driving up your cost per unit and shrinking your margins.

  • Minimum order restrictions
     Not ideal for smaller operations looking for wholesale brace sales with no minimum order.

  • Limited flexibility
     Distributors may not offer custom product lines or tailor-made patient support features.

 

 

Buying Direct from a Supplier (Like Med Braces Direct)

Pros:

  • Better pricing & bulk discounts
     Med Braces Direct offers bulk pricing tiers so you save more as you scale, making us one of the most affordable orthopedic brace suppliers in the market.

  • Exclusive, patient-first products
     Our proprietary line of braces is designed with one mission:
     “All our Orthopedic Support products are designed Patient First.”

  • Direct shipping
     Skip the middleman. We ship directly to your clinic, warehouse, or DME storefront.

  • No minimum order
     Order exactly what you need—no more, no less.

Cons:

  • Less brand variety
     We focus on our exclusive line of quality orthopedic braces rather than carrying dozens of different labels.

 

 

Why Med Braces Direct?

We’ve built our business around supporting DME providers caring about profitability and patient outcomes. Here’s why we’re trusted by clinics and resellers nationwide:

  • Best durable medical equipment, orthopedic brace, and support supplier

  • Wholesale brace sales with no minimum order

  • Bulk pricing tiers for scalable savings

  • Braces designed with a “Patient First” approach

  • Every product is PDAC coded for smooth billing

  • Direct-to-you shipping—no middleman needed

 

 

What Is a PDAC Code and Why It Matters

Every orthopedic brace sold by Med Braces Direct comes with an official PDAC-approved HCPCS code.

What is a PDAC Code?

A PDAC (Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding) code is an official classification issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It tells you the exact HCPCS code for billing purposes and confirms that a brace meets all medical and regulatory requirements for reimbursement.

Why It’s Crucial for DMEs:

  • Streamlined insurance billing
     Get paid faster and more reliably by using verified codes.

  • Compliance assurance
     Avoid audit risk with braces that meet strict PDAC approval standards.

  • Confidence in quality
     A PDAC-coded product has been evaluated for medical necessity and function.

With Med Braces Direct, you can confidently bill Medicare and private insurers ,knowing every brace is PDAC-coded and compliant.


 

 


Final Thoughts: Distributor or Direct?

While distributors might offer brand variety, the cost, rigidity, and lack of direct control can be a challenge—especially for growing DMEs.

Med Braces Direct combines the best of both worlds:

  • Premium, patient-first products

  • Scalable pricing

  • PDAC-coded inventory

  • Direct support from a supplier that understands the DME industry

 

Ready to Make the Switch?

Our no-hassle e-commerce site has made wholesale procurement as simple as possible. Select the quantity you want, and the discounted bulk tier pricing will automatically apply to your order. Need to order individual braces before making your bulk purchase decision? No problem, individual braces are also sold at medbracesdirect.com for extremely low prices. 

Have questions about our braces? Feel free to contact us!

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