What Medicare Covers for Hospital Beds at Home

Medicare covers hospital beds, but only under specific conditions

Medicare Part B will pay for a hospital bed if your doctor writes an order saying you need one for medical reasons and you meet certain requirements. The bed must be medically necessary — meaning a regular bed would not safely meet your health needs — and you must be homebound or live in a skilled nursing facility. Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount after you have met your Part B deductible; you pay the remaining 20 percent.

The bed itself is considered durable medical equipment (DME), the same category as wheelchairs and oxygen machines. You do not buy it outright in most cases. Instead, you rent it from a Medicare-approved DME supplier, and Medicare reimburses the supplier directly. The rental typically costs less than purchase, and the supplier handles delivery and basic maintenance.

Key Takeaways

Your doctor must write an order stating that a hospital bed is medically necessary for your condition, not just convenient.
You must be homebound or in a skilled nursing facility; Medicare does not cover hospital beds for people who can leave home regularly.
You rent the bed from a Medicare-approved DME supplier, and Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved rental cost after your deductible.
The supplier handles delivery and maintenance, and you can switch suppliers if you are unhappy with service.
If you already own a hospital bed, Medicare will not reimburse you retroactively, but you may be able to rent going forward.

What your doctor needs to document

Your doctor must write an order — sometimes called a prescription — that explains why you need a hospital bed. The order should state the medical reason: for example, that you need the head and foot to adjust for breathing problems, that you need the side rails for safety because of fall risk, or that you need the height adjustment because of mobility issues. A vague order saying "patient needs hospital bed" will likely be rejected.

The doctor does not need to order a specific brand or model. They straightforward state that a hospital bed is medically necessary. The DME supplier then works with you to choose an appropriate bed that meets Medicare's standards. If your condition changes and you no longer need the bed, your doctor can discharge you from it, and the rental ends.

Homebound status and where the bed can be

To may have access to, you must be homebound, which Medicare defines as unable to leave home without considerable and taxing effort, or leaving home is medically contraindicated. You do not have to be bedridden. You can leave for medical appointments or occasional outings, but you cannot be working or going out regularly for other reasons.

The bed can be in your home, in a family member's home where you live, or in a skilled nursing facility. It cannot be in a hospital (where the hospital provides the bed) or in an assisted living facility that is not also a skilled nursing facility. If you move, you can transfer the rental to your new address, and the supplier arranges the move.

How to start the process

First, talk to your doctor about whether a hospital bed would help your condition. If your doctor agrees it is medically necessary, ask them to send an order to a Medicare-approved DME supplier. You can find suppliers in your area by visiting Medicare.gov and using the supplier locator tool, or by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Once you have chosen a supplier, give them your doctor's order. The supplier will verify your Medicare coverage, confirm you meet the homebound requirement, and arrange delivery. This process usually takes one to two weeks. The supplier bills Medicare directly for the rental, and you receive a bill for your 20 percent coinsurance after Medicare pays its share.

Keep copies of your doctor's order and the supplier's paperwork. If Medicare denies the claim, you have the right to appeal. Many denials happen because the order was not specific enough or because Medicare determined you do not meet the homebound requirement — both of which can be addressed with additional information from your doctor.

Rental costs and what you pay

Medicare sets an approved amount for hospital bed rentals, which varies slightly by region but is typically between $200 and $300 per month for a basic adjustable bed. You pay 20 percent of this amount after you have met your Part B deductible ($240 in 2024, though this changes yearly). The supplier cannot charge you more than Medicare's approved amount.

Rental is usually indefinite — you keep renting as long as you need the bed and remain homebound. Some suppliers offer purchase options after a certain rental period, but Medicare does not cover the purchase price. If you decide to buy instead of rent, you pay the full cost yourself.

When Medicare will not pay

Medicare will not cover a hospital bed if your doctor does not order it, if you do not meet the homebound requirement, or if the bed is for convenience rather than medical necessity. Medicare also will not pay if you buy the bed yourself without going through an approved supplier first — even if you later try to get reimbursed.

If you are in an assisted living facility that is not a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover the bed. The facility is expected to provide furniture. Similarly, if you are in a hospital, the hospital provides the bed and Medicare does not reimburse you for a separate one.

If your condition improves and you no longer need the bed, tell your doctor and the supplier. The rental will end, and you will stop being billed. You cannot return a bed partway through a month and receive a refund for unused time, but you will not be charged for months after you have returned it.

Switching suppliers or upgrading your bed

You can change DME suppliers at any time if you are unhappy with service or delivery. Contact a different Medicare-approved supplier, give them your doctor's order, and they will arrange to pick up the old bed and deliver the new one. There is no penalty for switching, and you do not need your doctor's permission to change suppliers — only to change the type of equipment.

If you need a different type of hospital bed — for example, upgrading from a basic two-position bed to a full electric bed with more adjustment options — your doctor must write a new order explaining why the upgrade is medically necessary. Medicare will then cover the upgraded bed under the same rental arrangement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I already bought a hospital bed before I knew Medicare might pay?

Medicare does not reimburse for equipment you have already purchased. However, you can contact a Medicare-approved DME supplier and start a rental going forward. The supplier will pick up your bed (you can keep it or they may take it), and you will begin renting a new one. Your out-of-pocket costs will be lower with rental than with the purchase you already made.

Do I need a letter from my doctor, or is a verbal order enough?

The DME supplier needs a written order from your doctor. This can be a prescription pad note, an electronic order sent directly to the supplier, or a letter on the doctor's letterhead. A verbal order is not enough for Medicare to process the claim. Ask your doctor's office to send the order directly to the supplier you choose.

What happens if Medicare denies my claim?

You will receive a notice explaining why. Common reasons are that the order was not specific about medical necessity, or that Medicare determined you do not meet the homebound requirement. You can ask your doctor to provide more detail and resubmit, or you can file a formal appeal. The supplier can help you understand the denial and guide you through appeal steps.

Can Medicare cover a hospital bed in an assisted living facility?

No. Medicare covers hospital beds only in private homes or skilled nursing facilities. Assisted living facilities are expected to provide furniture for residents. If you are in assisted living and need a hospital bed, you would have to pay for it yourself or move to a skilled nursing facility where Medicare would cover it.

If I rent a hospital bed, do I own it after a certain time?

No. Rental is indefinite — you rent for as long as you need it and remain homebound. Some suppliers offer the option to purchase after a set period, but Medicare does not cover the purchase price. If you want to own the bed, you pay the full cost yourself.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.