Medicare covers hospital beds, but only under specific conditions

Medicare Part B covers a hospital bed if your doctor prescribes it as medically necessary and you meet certain requirements. The bed must be for use in your home, and you must be homebound or have a condition that makes a regular bed unsafe or ineffective for your care. Medicare does not cover the bed itself as a purchase — instead, it pays a rental fee to a supplier, usually between $150 and $300 per month depending on the type of bed and your location.

The key requirement is a written order from your doctor. Without that order, Medicare will not pay, no matter how much you need the bed. Your doctor must document that the bed is medically necessary for your condition — for example, because you cannot get in and out of a regular bed safely, or because you need the head or foot to adjust for breathing or circulation problems.

Key Takeaways

  • Your doctor must write a prescription for the hospital bed and state that it is medically necessary for your specific condition.
  • Medicare pays a monthly rental fee to a Medicare-approved supplier, not a lump sum to you or your family.
  • You are responsible for 20% of the rental cost after you meet your Part B deductible; Medicare pays the other 80%.
  • The bed must be used in your home, and you must be unable to use a regular bed safely due to your medical condition.
  • Rental payments typically continue as long as your doctor says the bed remains medically necessary, with periodic reviews by Medicare.

How to get Medicare to pay for a hospital bed

Start by talking to your doctor about whether a hospital bed would help your condition. Be specific about your symptoms — for instance, tell them you cannot roll over in bed, or that you need your head elevated to breathe, or that you fall when trying to get out of a regular bed. Your doctor will decide whether the bed is medically necessary and will write an order that includes the type of bed you need (such as a semi-electric or full-electric bed).

Once you have the doctor's order, contact a Medicare-approved durable medical equipment (DME) supplier in your area. You can find approved suppliers by visiting Medicare.gov and using their supplier search tool, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Give the supplier your doctor's order and your Medicare information. The supplier will handle the paperwork with Medicare and will deliver and set up the bed at your home.

Medicare will review the order to confirm it meets their requirements. This review usually takes a few days to a week. Once approved, the supplier will bill Medicare directly for the monthly rental fee. You will receive a bill for your 20% coinsurance (after you have met your Part B deductible for the year).

What types of hospital beds Medicare covers

Medicare covers three main types of hospital beds, depending on what your doctor prescribes:

  • Semi-electric beds have a motorized head and foot that adjust with a remote control, but the bed frame itself does not move up and down. These are the least expensive option.
  • Full-electric beds have motors that raise and lower both the head and foot, and also raise and lower the entire bed frame. These cost more but are easier to use if you have limited mobility.
  • Bariatric beds are reinforced hospital beds designed for people who weigh more than a standard bed can safely support. Your doctor must specifically prescribe a bariatric bed for Medicare to cover it.

Your doctor's order will specify which type of bed you need. Medicare will not pay for a more expensive bed than what your doctor prescribes, and the supplier cannot charge you extra to upgrade to a fancier model.

Your costs and what you pay

After you meet your Part B deductible (which is $226 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly), Medicare pays 80% of the approved rental amount, and you pay 20%. The approved amount varies by region and by bed type, but typically ranges from $150 to $300 per month.

If you have not yet met your Part B deductible for the year, you will pay the full rental cost until you reach the deductible amount. Once you have met it, your 20% coinsurance kicks in for the rest of the year.

If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, your supplemental coverage may help pay your coinsurance. Check your plan documents or call your plan to see what they cover for durable medical equipment rentals.

When Medicare stops paying for the bed

Medicare covers the bed rental as long as your doctor says it remains medically necessary. However, Medicare reviews the need periodically — usually every few months — by asking your doctor to confirm that you still need it. If your condition improves and you no longer need the bed, or if your doctor determines it is no longer medically necessary, Medicare will stop paying.

If Medicare denies the bed or stops paying for it, you have the right to appeal. Your supplier can help you file an appeal, or you can contact 1-800-MEDICARE to learn about the appeals process.

If you want to keep the bed after Medicare stops paying, you can continue to rent it from the supplier at the full monthly cost, or you can purchase a hospital bed outright from a medical equipment store or online retailer.

Buying a hospital bed instead of renting

Medicare does not pay toward the purchase of a hospital bed — only rental. However, if you think you will need the bed for a long time, buying might eventually cost less than renting month after month. A new semi-electric hospital bed typically costs $800 to $2,000, and a full-electric bed costs $1,500 to $4,000, depending on features and quality.

If you buy a bed, you are responsible for all maintenance and repairs. Rental beds come with maintenance included — if something breaks, the supplier fixes or replaces it at no cost to you. This is an important difference to consider when deciding whether to rent or buy.

Some people rent through Medicare while they are recovering from surgery or an acute illness, then buy a bed if they need it long-term for a chronic condition. Talk to your doctor and your supplier about what makes sense for your situation.

Questions to ask your doctor

Before your doctor writes an order for a hospital bed, make sure you understand why it is necessary and what type will work best for you. Here are questions to ask:

  • Why do you think a hospital bed would help my condition?
  • What type of bed are you recommending — semi-electric, full-electric, or bariatric?
  • How long do you expect I will need the bed?
  • Will you need to review my need for the bed periodically, or do you expect I will need it long-term?
  • Are there other options, like a bed rail or mattress overlay, that might help instead?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover hospital bed rails or mattresses?

Medicare covers bed rails and certain mattress overlays (like pressure-relief mattresses) separately from the bed itself, if your doctor prescribes them as medically necessary. These items follow the same rules as the bed — your doctor must write an order, and you pay 20% coinsurance after your deductible. A supplier can provide these items along with the bed or separately.

What if I live in a nursing home or assisted living facility?

Medicare does not cover hospital beds for people who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The facility is responsible for providing appropriate beds for residents. If you move to a facility, Medicare will stop paying for your home hospital bed rental.

Can I get a hospital bed if I rent my home?

Yes. Your landlord cannot prevent you from having a hospital bed delivered to your home if your doctor prescribes it as medically necessary. The bed is rented, not permanently installed, so it does not require landlord permission. However, it is courteous to let your landlord know.

What happens if my doctor retires or leaves the practice?

You will need a new doctor to write a new order for the bed to continue. Contact your new doctor and explain that you have been using a hospital bed under Medicare coverage. Bring any documentation from your previous doctor about why the bed is medically necessary. Your new doctor can review your medical history and write a new order if they agree the bed is still needed.

Can I choose any supplier, or does it have to be a specific company?

You can choose any Medicare-approved DME supplier in your area. Medicare maintains a list of approved suppliers on their website. Different suppliers may have different equipment and service quality, so it is reasonable to call a few and ask about their delivery times, maintenance response, and customer service before deciding.