Medicare covers hospital beds, but only under specific conditions and through a defined process
Medicare Part B covers a hospital bed if your doctor writes an order saying you need it for a medical reason — not just convenience or comfort. The bed must be medically necessary, which means your condition makes a regular bed unsafe or impossible to use. Medicare calls this a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) benefit, and it works differently from hospital stays or doctor visits.
You do not buy the bed outright in most cases. Instead, Medicare pays a rental fee to a DME supplier that Medicare has approved. You pay 20 percent of what Medicare approves; Medicare pays 80 percent after you have met your Part B deductible for the year. If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, your out-of-pocket cost may be lower.
The catch: the supplier must be enrolled with Medicare, your doctor must document medical necessity clearly, and you must use the bed in your home. Hospital beds used in a nursing home or hospital are covered under different rules.
Key Takeaways
- Your doctor must order the hospital bed in writing and state why you need it — back pain alone or mobility concerns are not enough without documentation of a specific condition.
- The bed must come from a Medicare-approved DME supplier; buying one yourself and asking Medicare to reimburse does not work.
- You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after your Part B deductible; the exact cost depends on the supplier and the bed model.
- Rental is the standard path, not purchase, though some suppliers offer buyout options after a set rental period.
- If you have Medicare Advantage, check your plan's DME rules first — some require prior authorization or use of in-network suppliers.
What counts as medical necessity for a hospital bed
Medicare does not cover a hospital bed because someone is elderly, bedridden, or has general mobility problems. The condition must be one where a regular bed creates a safety or medical risk. Common reasons Medicare approves include: severe arthritis that makes lying flat painful, heart or lung disease requiring the head elevated at all times, pressure ulcers (bedsores) that need a special surface, recent surgery where movement in bed causes harm, or neurological conditions affecting swallowing or breathing when lying down.
Your doctor's order is the foundation. It must include the diagnosis, explain why the bed is medically necessary for that diagnosis, and state how long you will need it. "Patient is elderly and has trouble getting out of bed" is not enough. "Patient has stage 3 pressure ulcer on sacrum requiring elevation and pressure relief; needs hospital bed for 8 weeks" is the kind of language Medicare reviewers look for.
If your doctor is unsure whether your condition meets the threshold, ask them directly. They can contact the DME supplier or Medicare to check before writing the order, which saves time and avoids denial.
How to get a hospital bed through Medicare
The process has a fixed order, and skipping steps delays approval or results in denial.
- Get a written order from your doctor. This is not a phone call or email — it must be a signed prescription or order form that includes your diagnosis, the medical reason for the bed, and the expected duration of need.
- Find a Medicare-approved DME supplier. Search the Medicare Supplier Directory at dmepos.cms.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for suppliers in your area. Not all medical supply stores are Medicare-approved; using an unapproved supplier means you pay the full cost.
- Contact the supplier with your doctor's order. The supplier will verify your Medicare coverage, check your deductible status, and tell you what you will owe. They will also ask for your Medicare number and may contact your doctor to confirm the order.
- The supplier submits the order to Medicare for review. This is called prior authorization in some cases, though hospital beds often do not require it. The supplier handles this step; you do not submit anything to Medicare yourself.
- Once approved, the supplier delivers and sets up the bed. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days after approval. The supplier is responsible for delivery, assembly, and showing you how to use it.
- You receive a bill for your 20 percent share. This comes after Medicare processes the claim, which can take 2 to 4 weeks.
Do not buy a hospital bed on your own and then ask Medicare to reimburse you. Medicare will not pay for equipment you purchased without prior approval from a Medicare supplier.
What you will pay and how rental works
The amount you pay depends on the Medicare-approved amount for the bed model, which varies by region and supplier. As of 2024, Medicare's approved rental amount for a basic hospital bed is typically $150 to $200 per month, though this varies. You pay 20 percent of that amount after you have met your Part B deductible ($240 in 2024). So your monthly out-of-pocket cost is usually $30 to $40, plus any amount toward your deductible if you have not met it yet.
Hospital beds are rented, not purchased, under the standard Medicare benefit. You pay month to month, and the supplier owns the bed. If you no longer need it, you contact the supplier and they pick it up. Some suppliers offer a purchase option after 13 months of rental — at that point, the total rental payments equal the purchase price and the bed becomes yours. This option is not automatic; ask the supplier whether they offer it.
If you have a Medigap plan (supplemental insurance), it may cover part or all of your 20 percent share, depending on the plan. If you have Medicare Advantage, your out-of-pocket cost is set by your plan and may be lower or higher than Original Medicare; check your plan documents or call the plan to confirm.
Medicare Advantage and other insurance considerations
Medicare Advantage plans must cover hospital beds at the same level as Original Medicare, but the rules for how you get one can differ. Some Advantage plans require prior authorization, meaning the supplier or your doctor must get written approval from the plan before ordering the bed. Others require you to use an in-network supplier. A few plans have a different copay or coinsurance amount than the standard 20 percent.
Call your Advantage plan's customer service number (on your insurance card) before you ask your doctor for an order. Ask whether the plan requires prior authorization, whether there is a preferred supplier list, and what your out-of-pocket cost will be. This takes 10 minutes and prevents a delayed delivery or a surprise bill.
If you have Medicaid in addition to Medicare (called dual coverage), Medicaid may cover the bed instead of or alongside Medicare, depending on your state. Contact your state Medicaid office or your case manager to understand the order of payment.
What happens if Medicare denies your request
Denial usually means one of three things: your doctor's order did not clearly explain medical necessity, the condition listed does not meet Medicare's threshold, or the supplier was not Medicare-approved.
If you receive a denial letter, it will state the reason. If the reason is medical necessity, ask your doctor whether they can provide more detail — additional test results, imaging, or a clearer explanation of how the bed addresses your specific condition. The supplier can resubmit with the new information.
If the reason is that the supplier is not approved, contact a different Medicare-approved supplier and start over. If the reason is that your condition does not may have access to, you have the right to appeal. The denial letter includes instructions for appeal, and you have 120 days to file. Many people succeed on appeal by providing medical records that were not included in the first submission.
Alternatives if hospital bed coverage is denied or delayed
If Medicare denies the request and appeal is pending, or if you need a bed urgently while approval is being processed, you have options.
You can rent or buy a hospital bed privately while waiting. Prices at medical supply stores or online retailers range from $300 to $2,000 depending on features. If Medicare later approves your request, you cannot get reimbursed for a bed you already bought, but you can transition to the Medicare-covered rental at that point.
Some community organizations, churches, or local senior centers loan medical equipment including hospital beds at no cost or low cost. Call your Area Agency on Aging (find yours at eldercare.acl.gov) and ask whether loan programs exist in your area.
If cost is the barrier and you do not have Medigap, ask your doctor about a lower-cost alternative: a bed rail, a wedge pillow, or an adjustable mattress might address your medical need without a full hospital bed. Your doctor can determine whether these alternatives are safe for your condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a hospital bed in a nursing home or assisted living facility?
No. If you are in a nursing home, the facility provides the bed as part of your room and board, and Medicare covers it under your skilled nursing facility benefit, not as DME. If you are in assisted living, you typically buy or rent the bed yourself; Medicare does not cover it because you are not receiving skilled nursing care.
Does Medicare cover a mattress or pressure relief pad for the hospital bed?
Yes, if your doctor orders it for a medical reason — most commonly for pressure ulcer prevention or treatment. A pressure-relieving mattress or overlay is covered as DME under the same rules as the bed itself. You pay 20 percent after your deductible.
What if I need the bed for only a few weeks?
Rental is still the path. Medicare does not have a minimum rental period, so you can rent for two weeks or two months. You pay the monthly rental fee for each month you have the bed. Once you no longer need it, contact the supplier and they will pick it up.
Can my family member or caregiver help me get the hospital bed approved?
Your doctor must write the order and your Medicare-approved supplier must handle the submission to Medicare. A family member or caregiver can help you find a supplier, gather documents, and communicate with the supplier, but they cannot submit the order or speak to Medicare on your behalf unless you have given them power of attorney.
What if my doctor retires or leaves before my bed is approved?
Contact your new doctor or your primary care doctor and ask them to review your medical records and write a new order if they agree the bed is medically necessary. The supplier can also contact your former doctor's office to request a copy of the original order. There is no penalty for changing doctors mid-process, but it may add a week or two to approval.