Medicare covers hospital beds as durable medical equipment, but only if your doctor writes an order and you meet specific conditions

A hospital bed is classified as durable medical equipment (DME) under Medicare. This means Medicare Part B may pay for the bed itself, the delivery, and setup — but not every hospital bed qualifies, and not every situation does either. The bed must be medically necessary for your condition, your doctor must document why you need it, and you must use a Medicare-approved DME supplier to order it.

Medicare will typically cover 80 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible. You pay the remaining 20 percent. The exact coverage depends on whether you choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, because each has different rules about which suppliers they work with and what they will pay.

Key Takeaways

  • Your doctor must write a written order stating that a hospital bed is medically necessary for your specific condition before Medicare will consider coverage.
  • You must rent or purchase the bed from a Medicare-approved DME supplier; buying one on your own and asking Medicare to reimburse you will not work.
  • Medicare covers the bed, delivery, and setup, but you pay 20 percent of the approved amount after meeting your Part B deductible.
  • The approval process usually takes one to two weeks after the supplier submits your paperwork, so plan ahead if you need the bed urgently.
  • If Medicare denies your request, you can ask your doctor to provide more detail about your medical condition and why the bed is necessary.

When Medicare will pay for a hospital bed

Medicare covers a hospital bed when your doctor determines it is medically necessary because of your condition. Common reasons include severe arthritis that makes a regular bed painful, heart or lung disease that requires you to sleep at an angle, pressure wounds that need elevation, or mobility problems that make getting in and out of a standard bed unsafe.

The bed must be used in your home. Medicare does not cover hospital beds for use in a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility — those settings have their own equipment. Your doctor's order must state the specific medical reason and, in some cases, the length of time you will need it. If your condition changes or improves, Medicare may stop coverage.

A standard adjustable bed or a bed with a memory foam mattress does not count as medical equipment. Medicare distinguishes between comfort features and medical necessity. The bed must have features that directly address your medical condition — such as height adjustment for transfers, head and foot elevation for breathing problems, or a firm surface for wound care.

Steps to get your doctor's order

Start by talking to your primary care doctor or the specialist treating your condition. Explain why you are having trouble with a regular bed and what specific problems a hospital bed would solve. Your doctor may already know this is necessary, or they may want to examine you first to confirm.

Ask your doctor to write a written order for a hospital bed. The order should include your diagnosis, the medical reason you need the bed, and how long you will need it. Some doctors will do this during an office visit; others may ask you to follow up by phone or through a patient portal. Do not assume the order has been sent — ask your doctor's office to confirm they have written it and ask whether they will send it directly to a supplier or give it to you to carry.

If your doctor is unsure whether Medicare will cover it, ask them to contact a Medicare-approved DME supplier. Many suppliers have staff who know Medicare's rules and can tell your doctor what information needs to be in the order for approval.

Finding and working with a Medicare-approved DME supplier

You must order your hospital bed from a Medicare-approved DME supplier. You cannot buy a bed on your own and ask Medicare to pay you back. To find approved suppliers in your area, visit the Medicare website's DME supplier locator tool or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Once you have your doctor's order, contact the supplier. Give them your Medicare number, your doctor's name and office phone number, and your doctor's order. The supplier will verify that your doctor's order meets Medicare's requirements. If it does not have enough detail, the supplier will ask your doctor for more information — for example, if the order does not explain why you need the bed, the supplier may ask your doctor to add that detail.

The supplier will also check whether you have met your Part B deductible for the year. If you have not, you will owe that amount before Medicare starts paying. Ask the supplier upfront what your out-of-pocket cost will be, including the deductible and your 20 percent coinsurance.

What happens after you place your order

After the supplier submits your paperwork to Medicare, the approval process usually takes one to two weeks. During this time, Medicare reviews your doctor's order to make sure it meets their medical necessity rules. You can ask the supplier for a tracking number and call to check on the status.

Once Medicare approves the order, the supplier will contact you to schedule delivery and setup. Most suppliers deliver the bed, assemble it, and remove packaging. Some will also show you how to use the controls. Ask the supplier what is included in delivery before they arrive.

If Medicare denies your request, the supplier will send you a notice explaining why. Common reasons include: the doctor's order did not explain the medical reason clearly enough, the condition listed does not typically require a hospital bed under Medicare rules, or the bed features requested are not considered medically necessary. You have the right to appeal the denial.

Renting versus buying a hospital bed

You can rent or purchase a hospital bed through a Medicare-approved supplier. Medicare covers both options at the same rate — 80 percent of the approved amount after your deductible. The choice depends on how long you expect to need the bed.

Rental is usually cheaper upfront and makes sense if you need the bed for a few months or if your condition may improve. You pay a monthly rental fee, and the supplier maintains the bed. If it breaks, they repair or replace it at no extra cost to you.

Purchase makes sense if you will need the bed for a long time — typically more than five months, depending on the bed model and your local rental rates. Once Medicare has paid its share and you have paid yours, the bed is yours. You are responsible for maintenance and repairs after that.

Ask the supplier for the total cost of renting for six months and the purchase price. That comparison will help you decide which option saves you money.

What to do if Medicare denies your request

If Medicare denies coverage, you will receive a notice called an "Explanation of Benefits" that explains the reason. Read it carefully — it will tell you whether the denial was because of the medical condition, the bed features, or incomplete information from your doctor.

Contact your doctor's office and explain what Medicare said. Ask your doctor to provide more detail in writing. For example, if Medicare said your condition does not typically require a hospital bed, ask your doctor to explain in detail why your specific situation is different. If the order was missing information, ask your doctor to add it.

Once your doctor has provided more information, ask the supplier to resubmit your request to Medicare. This is called an appeal, and you have the right to do it. The appeal process usually takes another one to two weeks.

Medicare Advantage plans and hospital beds

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, your coverage for hospital beds may be different. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover hospital beds the same way Original Medicare does; others have different rules or require you to use specific suppliers.

Contact your Medicare Advantage plan before you ask your doctor for an order. Ask them whether they cover hospital beds, what their approval process is, and which suppliers they work with. Some plans require prior approval before your doctor writes the order, while others approve after the fact.

Your plan's customer service number is on your insurance card. Have your plan's name and member ID ready when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a hospital bed myself and have Medicare reimburse me?

No. Medicare will only pay if you order through a Medicare-approved DME supplier. If you buy a bed on your own, Medicare will not reimburse you, even if your doctor says you need it. The supplier is part of the approval process.

How much will I have to pay out of pocket?

You pay your Part B deductible (if you have not met it for the year) plus 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for the bed. The exact cost depends on the bed model and your local area. Ask the supplier for a cost estimate before you agree to the order.

What if my condition improves and I no longer need the bed?

If you are renting, you can stop the rental and return the bed. If you purchased it, it is yours to keep or sell. If you stop needing it within a short time, contact your doctor and Medicare to let them know your condition has changed — this may affect future coverage decisions.

Do I need a prescription or just a doctor's order?

Medicare requires a written order from your doctor, not a prescription. The order should state that the hospital bed is medically necessary and explain why. Ask your doctor to write this order and confirm it has been sent to the supplier.

What if my doctor will not write an order?

If your doctor does not think a hospital bed is medically necessary, they will not write an order. You can ask for a second opinion from another doctor, such as a specialist who treats your condition. If that doctor agrees the bed is necessary, they can write the order instead.