Umair Gaines
Medicare covers hospital beds for home use if you have a medical need for one and a doctor's referral. However, full-electric hospital beds are considered a convenience device and are not covered by Medicare. Basic manual and semi-electric hospital beds are covered by Medicare Part B, which pays for durable medical equipment (DME). After meeting the Part B deductible, Medicare covers 80% of the cost of a hospital bed, while the patient is responsible for the remaining 20%.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicare Coverage for Full Electric Hospital Beds | Not covered by Medicare |
| Coverage for Other Types of Hospital Beds | Covered by Medicare if deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor |
| Coverage for Other Types of Mattresses | Covered by Medicare if deemed medically necessary |
| Cost Coverage | Medicare covers 80% of the cost, while the patient pays the remaining 20% |
| Rental Options | Medicare covers rental costs for up to 15 payments, after which the bed is yours to use |
| Supplier Requirements | Must be a Medicare-approved supplier |
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What You'll Learn
Medicare Part B covers 80% of the cost of a hospital bed
Medicare classifies hospital beds as durable medical equipment (DME), which is covered under Part B. To qualify for Medicare coverage, a hospital bed must be deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. Additionally, the doctor must participate in Medicare, and the equipment provider must be Medicare-approved.
Medicare covers various types of hospital beds, including adjustable beds, extra-wide beds, and some electric beds. However, it is important to note that full-electric hospital beds are often considered convenience devices and are not typically covered by Medicare. Basic manual and semi-electric hospital beds are more likely to be covered, as they are seen as medically necessary rather than luxury features.
Medicare may also cover some expenses related to upgrading a hospital bed, such as adding specialised mattresses, gel pressure pads, or trapeze pull bars to assist with sitting up. These upgrades can enhance patient comfort, improve circulation, and prevent bedsores.
While Medicare Part B covers a significant portion of the cost of a hospital bed, patients should be prepared for potential out-of-pocket expenses, especially if they opt for premium or high-end models with advanced features.
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You must meet the Part B deductible before coverage begins
Medicare Part B covers 80% of the cost of a hospital bed, while the patient pays the remaining 20% as coinsurance. However, before Medicare pays its share, you must meet your Part B deductible. In 2024, the standard Medicare Part B deductible was $240 per year, while in 2025, it increased to $257 annually. Once you have met this deductible, Medicare will contribute to the cost of the hospital bed.
It is important to note that Medicare only covers hospital beds when they are deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. Additionally, the supplier must be Medicare-approved, and the doctor must participate in Medicare. If these criteria are not met, you may be responsible for the full cost of the bed.
Medicare classifies hospital beds as durable medical equipment (DME), which is covered under Part B. This includes basic manual and semi-electric hospital beds for home use. However, full-electric beds are often considered convenience features and are not typically covered by Medicare. If you require advanced features, such as full electric controls, pressure-relief mattresses, or massage and heat therapy, you may need to pay out-of-pocket costs, as these are generally not covered by Medicare.
To ensure you receive full coverage for a hospital bed under Medicare, it is important to rent or purchase the bed from a Medicare-certified agency and ensure that your doctor accepts Medicare. By meeting these criteria, you can avoid paying more out-of-pocket expenses and benefit from the financial relief that Medicare offers for medically necessary hospital beds.
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Medicare Advantage (Part C) may cover more than Part B
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a Medicare health plan offered by private companies approved by Medicare. It is an alternative to Parts A and B that bundles several coverage types, including Parts A, B, and usually D. Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra coverage, such as vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. Most include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage plans can have different out-of-pocket costs and rules for how you get services. For example, you may need a referral to see a specialist, or you may have to go to doctors, facilities, or suppliers that belong to the plan. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it is likely that the plan will have its own steps for purchasing a hospital bed and may have restrictions on which suppliers you can use.
Medicare Advantage may cover more than Part B for hospital beds. Hospital beds for home use are considered durable medical equipment (DME), which is covered by Medicare Part B. However, there are some requirements that must be met for coverage, and there are still some out-of-pocket costs. With Medicare Part B, you pay 20% of the cost of the hospital bed, while Medicare pays the other 80% after you've met your Part B deductible. Medicare Advantage may provide more coverage, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
It's important to note that Medicare does not cover full-electric hospital beds, as they are considered convenience devices. However, you can apply the cost of the manual lift towards the purchase price of a full-electric model using an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN). Additionally, Medicare may cover some of the maintenance costs of a hospital bed, regardless of whether it is rented or purchased.
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Full-electric beds are not covered by Medicare
Medicare covers several types of hospital beds, including adjustable beds, some types of electric beds, and extra-wide hospital beds. However, full-electric beds are not covered by Medicare. This is because full-electric beds are considered convenience devices or comfort items rather than medical necessities. Medicare focuses on providing essential medical coverage, and insurers prioritize basic, medically necessary equipment over luxury features.
Full-electric beds offer advanced features that improve patient comfort and care. These beds include fully electric controls, allowing easy adjustments for optimal positioning. They may also include features such as pressure-relief mattresses, which reduce bedsores, and built-in safety rails, which prevent falls. While these features can significantly enhance patient outcomes and caregiver efficiency, they are not covered by Medicare due to their focus on basic medical needs rather than extra comfort or convenience.
Medicare classifies hospital beds as durable medical equipment (DME), which is covered under Medicare Part B. To qualify for Medicare coverage for a hospital bed, you must meet certain conditions. Firstly, you must have a documented medical condition that requires a home hospital bed, and you must be under the care of a doctor for that condition. Secondly, your doctor must prescribe the bed, highlighting its medical necessity and explaining why alternatives, such as a regular bed with added side rails, are not sufficient. Finally, you must rent or purchase the hospital bed from a Medicare-approved supplier, and your doctor must also participate in Medicare.
If your hospital bed rental or purchase is approved for Medicare coverage, Medicare will typically pay 80% of the Medicare-approved amount, while you will be responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance. It is important to note that Medicare-approved providers who do not want to participate can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Additionally, you may have to pay for maintenance costs, as Medicare may not cover all maintenance expenses.
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You can rent or buy a hospital bed through Medicare
Medicare will cover a hospital bed when it is deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. The doctor must document your need in your medical records and write an order for the equipment. The supplier must receive the order before Medicare is billed and must keep it on file. Medicare covers 80% of the cost of the hospital bed once you've met your Part B deductible, and you pay the remaining 20%.
Hospital beds for home use are considered durable medical equipment (DME). Medicare covers DME under Part B. Your hospital bed will need to meet a few conditions to be covered by Medicare. These include having a documented medical condition that requires a home hospital bed, being under the care of a doctor for your condition, and having a doctor who participates in Medicare. The equipment provider must also participate in Medicare.
Medicare can provide coverage for you to either rent or buy a bed. Whether you rent or buy will depend on the type of bed your doctor orders and the policies of the company you use. You might also rent a bed at first and then purchase it if you still need it later. You can rent a hospital bed from between $200 and $500 monthly, depending on the bed type. After 13 months of renting your hospital bed, you will officially own it under current Medicare rules.
Medicare covers several types of hospital beds. For example, it may cover an adjustable bed if it can be adjusted at the head or foot, allowing you to elevate different body parts as needed. Other beds Medicare may pay for include some types of electric beds or extra-wide hospital beds. It may also cover some expenses of upgrading your bed, such as adding an air-fluidized mattress, a gel pressure mattress pad, or a more comfortable sheepskin pad.
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Frequently asked questions
No, full-electric hospital beds are considered a convenience device and are not covered by Medicare. However, you can apply the cost of the manual lift towards the purchase price of a full-electric model by using an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN).
Medicare covers basic manual and semi-electric hospital beds for home use.
There are three eligibility requirements for Medicare to cover a hospital bed:
- Your doctor says that you need a hospital bed at home.
- Your doctor accepts Medicare.
- You rent or purchase the hospital bed through a Medicare-certified agency.
Medicare Part B covers 80% of the cost, while Medicare Advantage (Part C) may cover more. You will be responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance.
Yes, Medicare covers some expenses of upgrading your bed, such as adding an air-fluidized mattress, a gel pressure mattress pad, or a sheepskin pad.
