If you’re in the market for a hospital bed and are wondering what the price range for a hospital bed is, you’re in the right place!
In this quick guide we answer the question “How much is a hospital bed?”, plus we give you an overview of the types of hospital beds, best brands, and even how to get a free hospital bed!
Let’s jump in:
Types of Hospital Beds
There are three main types of in home hospital beds. Each category comes with its own strengths and weaknesses as well as its own individual price range:
Manual
The most simple type of hospital bed is one that has been around the longest. Fully manual beds allow you to adjust the height and the elevation completely by hand. These beds are often very durable due to their mechanical nature and they do not require electricity to work which can be useful in certain situations.
Manual hospital beds are very similar in price to semi-electric hospital beds. A typical manaul hospital bed runs between $500 and $700 on average.
Semi-Electric
A semi-electric hospital bed has powered adjustment for head and feet areas but no automatic adjustments for the height of the bed. This is the middle ground between fully manual and fully electric and combines the convenience of powered features with the lighter and simpler nature of a manual bed.
A semi-electric hospital bed will run you between $500 and $800 on average with some models coming in a little bit more expensive than that.
Fully Electric
Fully electric hospital beds have powered motors that control all phases of motion for the bed. The head, feet, and height are all adjusted remotely. These beds are the most expensive out of the three types and are also, often, the heaviest.
The price of a fully electric hospital bed can run anywhere from $800 to $1500. These beds have a much higher level of price disparity because being plugged in allows manufacturers to offer more in the way of diverse upgrades and addons compared to a manual model.
Types of Hospital Beds Mattresses
There are four main types of hospital bed mattresses that each have different purposes. A specific mattress might be recommended by your physician or they might come included with a bed right out of the gate.
Foam
Foam mattresses for hospital beds are your standard foam slabs. They are cheap and readily available because they are very easy to make for the oddly sized hospital bed frames. Foam is comfortable for a period of time but can be uncomfortable long term. They can also become hot in areas with low air circulation.
The price of a foam mattress for a hospital bed can run anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on the brand and the thickness of the foam.
Coil
Coil beds are very similar to that of a traditional mattress just resized for use on a hospital bed. Coil hospital mattresses are very standard and often come included with the hospital bed itself. Very rarely will you have to purchase a coil mattress for your hospital bed. If you do have to shop for one they are often available for cheap, right around $100.
Air
Air mattresses are used in situations to prevent bedsores. Air mattresses on hospital beds can be inflated and deflated strategically in order to change the posture and position of someone who is bedridden. Air mattresses for hospital beds have a very large price variability due to the many different options on the market.
Basic air-based hospital bed mattresses can run as low as $70 but other models, with scheduled changes in air pressure and air massage, can run as high as $500 or more.
Gel
Gel mattresses are built upon basic foam mattresses. They add a level of cooling and comfort to the sometimes stuffy foam slabs. Gel mattresses are usually a little more expensive than foam and are becoming more readily available.
A decent gel mattress for a hospital bed will run you between $200 and $300 on average.
Top Hospital Bed Brands
There are many great brands on the market when it comes to hospital beds but these are three we really like a lot. All three of these have large product catalogs and show up frequently during online research.
Drive Medical
Drive Medical is one of the largest medical equipment makers in the world. They have hundreds of quality products including a whole line of hospital beds for the home. Their beds come in manual, semi-electric and fully electric. Drive Medical beds run anywhere from $600 to $1500.
Invacare
Invacare, similar to Drive Medical, is a large global medical conglomorate specializing in durable medical equipment. They have a large line of fully electric hospital beds as well as some semi-electric hospital beds to choose from. Their products are dedicated to quality and that is reflected in the price. Invacare beds, which are mostly fully electric, run between $900 and $1600 on average.
HopeFULL
HopeFULL is a Chinese company that is making hospital grade ICU beds that can be purchased online and shipped to your home. Other hospital beds are simply modified adjustable beds for in home care but HopeFULL’s beds are overdesigned for those looking to have the best in home care equipment available.
The upside to HopeFULL is they give you the option to get a true hospital bed shipped right to your door. The downside to their products is that they are often far more expensive than standard models. HopeFULL ICU style beds can run as much as $4000.
How Much Does It Cost To Rent a Hospital Bed?
Hospital bed rentals vary in price depending on the area from which you are renting from. Studies have shown that the average cost to rent a hospital bed, per month, runs between $200 and $500. If you only need a hospital bed for a week or two, renting can save you time and space over buying.
When looking to rent a hospital bed be on the lookout for additional charges and fees. Some places charge extra for the inclusion of specific mattresses. Other companies have been known to charge delivery and set up fees that can add an additional $100 or more to your overall bill.
How To Get a Free Hospital Bed
Medicare and Medicaid have specific stipulations for covering durable medical equipment. Under most plans, these insurance programs will cover at least 80% of the cost of prescribed and approved medical equipment, including hospital beds. Add-ons and supplement plans can take that cost down to zero in certain situations.
In order to try and claim a free hospital bed, you must first have the hospital bed prescribed by a doctor.
Once the prescription has been issued you must find an outlet to fill the prescription for the hospital bed that is enrolled with Medicare, Medicaid, or your insurance company.
If you get a bed that is not approved, even if it is prescribed, it will not be covered. Check with your insurance company for details.
Tips For Finding The Best Price on a Hospital Bed
If you have the time, the number one tip for finding a great price on a hospital bed is patience. If you can wait, do the research, narrow down exactly what you need and then shop around you are guaranteed to find a deal.
If you do not have a lot of time, the best thing you can do is compare different retailers’ prices. If you are shopping online you can search for individual product models via their names and check multiple retailers to find an average price.
If you really can’t spend a lot of money, get a prescription for a hospital bed and take it to your insurance company. Insurance can drastically reduce the out-of-pocket cost for a new hospital bed.
Related articles…
How to Move a Hospital Bed: Quick and Easy Guide
Best Medline Hospital Bed (2022): Top Ranked Models & Buying Guide
How to Make a Hospital Bed: Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
VA Hospital Beds for Home: How Veterans Can Get a Free Hospital Bed
How to Use a Hospital Bed at Home: New Owner’s Guide
Best Hospital Bed Sheets (2022): 7 Best Sheets For Every Need
You were giving prices, with pictures, of beds, but after only a few beds, you switched over to mattresses, yet never got back to the more expensive beds (with pictures).