If your loved one is in a hospital, a senior care facility, or at home, you will want to make sure they are comfortable and that their needs are being taken care of. A comfortable hospital bed can make all the difference when it comes to making sure a senior feels cared for, and most important of all, comfortable.
Whether a senior is at a medical facility or at home, their doctor may deem a hospital bed medically necessary. Here, we are going to take a look at whether or not Medicare covers hospital beds for seniors.
Are Adjustable Beds Covered by Medicare?
For seniors to be comfortable at home, they are going to need an adjustable bed. The good news is, adjustable beds are covered under Original Medicare Part B. However, there is a strict process that needs to be followed to get this type of coverage. Also, it will only cover specific types of adjustable beds and from specific suppliers. Medicare Part B covers hospital beds as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). Once approved, you can save up to 80% of the cost of the hospital bed.
What are the Medicare Requirements for a Hospital Bed at Home?
It is important to note that in order for a hospital bed to be covered by Medicare, it must meet some requirements, such as the following:
To get Medicare coverage, the DME needs to be prescribed by doctors who are enrolled in Medicare. Also, you can purchase a DME only from those suppliers who are enrolled in Medicare. This is why it is important to make sure that the supplier is enrolled and participating.
What Kind of Hospital Bed Does Medicare Pay For?
Medicare’s policy on home hospital beds is pretty straightforward. Medicare only offers partial coverage for basic home hospital beds under Medicare Part B. This means that anybody who has Medicare Part B and can prove a legitimate need for a hospital bed at home is eligible to apply for partial coverage under the Medicare DME policy. The hospital bed is expected to last for a period of three years from the time it is first used.
Is Hospital Bed Rental Covered by Medicare?
Yes. Medicare does cover hospital bed rentals for home use, but there are specific requirements that need to be met by the individual. For instance, Medicare coverage for a hospital bed rental for home use can be availed only if the supplier of the medical bed or DME has been approved by Medicare, and if the doctor has prescribed the medical bed for the patient for medical reasons.
It should also be noted that a hospital bed is covered as a month-to-month rental, also known as a “capped rental.” This means payments are made as a monthly rental rather than a purchase that’s reimbursable.
Many people do not know this but, hospital beds do fall under the “capped rental” policy, which means that the dealer will be required to maintain the equipment over the lease period, which usually lasts for up to 13 months. For most products that are covered under Medicare, 80% of the rental is covered for the 13 continuous months of use. You will have to visit a local dealer to find out more about the capped rental options.
Medicare covers hospital bed purchases and rentals. After 13 months of renting the hospital bed, under Medicare rules, you will officially own the hospital bed.
How to Get a Hospital Bed Through Medicare?
Medicare covers a hospital bed for home use only if you can prove that there is a medical necessity for the patient. This means having the doctor prescribe it as the only option for medical reasons. You also need to be covered under Medicare Part B, along with being assessed by a doctor.
The doctor will then have to document the medical condition and necessity that requires a hospital bed. This information will then be part of the medical record of the individual who needs to use the hospital bed. The doctor will then write down the prescription for the hospital bed. It is crucial for the doctor who is making the prescription to be enrolled in the Medicare program. Next, you need to find a Medicare-enrolled supplier who you will purchase the hospital bed from.
Medicare Hospital Bed Eligibility – Who is Eligible?
Medicare covers a hospital bed for seniors if one or more criteria are met, including:
While individuals do not have to pay a monthly fee to get Medicare Part A benefits, you will be required to pay a monthly premium to get Medicare Part B benefits that cover hospital beds. The monthly premium is deducted from Social Security, Civil Service Retirement Check, and Railroad Retirement. If you are not currently getting any of these payments, then you will be sent a bill from Medicare for the Part B premium. This bill will be sent out every three months.
Conclusion
One of the most costly items purchased for seniors is an adjustable medical bed that ensures they will be comfortable at home. Using the valuable information in this article should help you save money by not having to pay for a hospital bed out of your own pocket!
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