When Medicare Covers a Hospital Bed at Home

Medicare covers a hospital bed at home, but only if a doctor orders it for a medical reason and you meet specific conditions

Medicare Part B will pay for a hospital bed if your doctor writes an order saying you need one because of an illness or injury — not just for comfort or convenience. The bed must be medically necessary, which means it has to help treat your condition or help you recover. Medicare typically covers 80% of the approved cost after you meet your Part B deductible, and you pay the remaining 20%.

The bed has to come from a Medicare-approved supplier, and your doctor's order must be on file before you rent or buy it. If you already own a hospital bed and then get a doctor's order, Medicare will not reimburse you retroactively. The timing matters: the order comes first, then the equipment.

Key Takeaways

Your doctor must write an order stating that a hospital bed is medically necessary for your condition, not just convenient.
You must use a Medicare-approved supplier; ordering from any other source means Medicare will not pay.
Medicare covers 80% of the approved amount after your Part B deductible is met; you pay 20%.
The doctor's order must be in place before you obtain the bed — Medicare does not pay for beds you already own.
The bed is usually rented rather than purchased, and rental costs are what Medicare bases its payment on.

What counts as medically necessary

Medicare defines a hospital bed as medically necessary when it helps treat a condition you have right now. Common reasons include recovery from surgery, a serious illness that keeps you bedridden, arthritis that makes a regular bed painful to use, or a condition where you need the bed's adjustable features for breathing or circulation. The bed itself has to do something a regular bed cannot do — usually the ability to adjust the head and foot, or to raise and lower the entire frame.

A doctor's order that straightforward says "patient needs a hospital bed" is not enough. The order should describe why — for example, "patient recovering from hip replacement and needs adjustable bed for mobility and pain management" or "patient with COPD requires elevated head position for breathing." If the order is vague, the supplier may ask your doctor for more detail before submitting the claim to Medicare.

Comfort alone does not may have access to. If you want a hospital bed because it is easier to get in and out of, but your doctor does not think it is medically necessary for your condition, Medicare will not pay. The same applies if you want one for convenience while recovering from a minor injury that does not actually require the bed's special features.

How to get a doctor's order

Start by talking to the doctor treating your condition — your primary care doctor, surgeon, or specialist. Explain that you are having trouble with your current bed because of your illness or injury, and ask whether a hospital bed would help. If the doctor agrees, ask them to write an order for durable medical equipment (often called a DME order). The order should go to a Medicare-approved supplier, not to you.

Some doctors' offices will fax the order directly to a supplier you choose. Others will give you a copy and ask you to take it to a supplier yourself. Either way, make sure the order is dated and signed by the doctor. Keep a copy for your records.

If your doctor is unsure whether Medicare will cover it, you can call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask whether a hospital bed for your specific condition is typically covered. Medicare staff cannot tell you whether your doctor will order one, but they can tell you whether the condition usually qualifies.

Finding a Medicare-approved supplier

You must rent or buy the bed from a supplier that is enrolled with Medicare. You can search for suppliers in your area using the Medicare Supplier Directory at dmepos.cms.gov. Type in your ZIP code and select "Hospital Beds" from the equipment category. The directory shows which suppliers are approved and which types of equipment they carry.

Call at least two suppliers and ask what they charge for a monthly rental. Prices vary, and Medicare pays based on the approved amount — which is usually lower than what a supplier might charge an uninsured customer. Ask the supplier whether they accept Medicare assignment, which means they agree to bill Medicare directly and accept Medicare's approved amount as payment in full for their part.

When you contact a supplier, have your doctor's order ready. The supplier will ask for your Medicare number, your doctor's contact information, and details about your condition. They will submit the order to Medicare for approval before delivering the bed. This process usually takes a few days to a week.

What Medicare pays and what you pay

Medicare's approved amount for a hospital bed rental varies by region and by the type of bed. A basic adjustable hospital bed typically costs between $200 and $400 per month to rent, though the approved amount Medicare uses may be lower. Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount; you pay 20% as your coinsurance.

You also have to meet your Part B deductible first — $226 in 2024, though this amount changes each year. Once you have paid your deductible, Medicare begins paying its 80% share. If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, it may cover some or all of your 20% coinsurance, depending on your plan.

Rental is the standard arrangement. Medicare usually covers the cost of renting a hospital bed for as long as your doctor says you need it. If you want to buy the bed instead of renting, you can, but Medicare will base its payment on the rental cost, not the purchase price. Buying is rarely the better financial choice under Medicare.

When Medicare will not pay

Medicare will not pay if you buy or rent the bed before getting a doctor's order. It will not pay if you use a supplier who is not Medicare-approved, even if the supplier is legitimate and licensed in your state. It will not pay if the bed is for comfort or convenience rather than medical necessity.

Medicare also will not pay for a hospital bed if you are in a hospital or skilled nursing facility — those settings provide their own beds. Once you go home, a new order is needed. If you were using a hospital bed at home and then move to a nursing home, Medicare will stop paying for the home bed.

If your condition improves and your doctor says you no longer need the bed, Medicare stops paying. You can keep renting it if you want to pay out of pocket, but Medicare will not cover it anymore. Tell the supplier if you no longer need it so they can pick it up and stop billing.

What happens if Medicare denies the claim

If Medicare denies payment, the supplier will send you a notice called a Explanation of Benefits (EOB). The notice will explain why Medicare said no — for example, "not medically necessary" or "doctor's order not specific enough."

You have the right to ask for a review. This is called an appeal. You can ask your doctor to provide more detail about why the bed is medically necessary, and the supplier can resubmit the claim with that additional information. If Medicare denies it again, you can request a formal appeal, which involves a Medicare contractor reviewing the decision.

While an appeal is pending, you are responsible for paying the supplier's charges out of pocket. If Medicare eventually approves the claim, it will reimburse you for the time the appeal took. If it denies the appeal, you owe the full amount to the supplier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a hospital bed instead of renting one?

Yes, but Medicare will base its payment on the rental cost, not the purchase price. If the approved rental amount is $300 per month and you buy a bed for $2,000, Medicare will not pay the full purchase price. Buying is usually more expensive under Medicare unless you plan to use the bed for many years.

What if my doctor says I need a hospital bed but Medicare says I do not?

You can appeal Medicare's decision. Ask your doctor to write a more detailed explanation of why the bed is medically necessary for your condition. The supplier can resubmit the claim with this additional information. If Medicare denies the appeal, you can request a formal review by a Medicare contractor.

Do I need a hospital bed or a regular adjustable bed?

Medicare only covers hospital beds — beds with medical-grade adjustability designed for medical care. A consumer adjustable bed or "smart bed" from a furniture store is not the same thing and Medicare will not pay for it, even if it has similar features. Your doctor's order must specify a hospital bed.

Will my Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan cover the 20% I owe?

It depends on your plan. Most Medigap plans cover coinsurance, so you would owe nothing after Medicare pays. Medicare Advantage plans vary — some cover the full 20%, others cover part of it. Check your plan documents or call your plan to find out what your coinsurance responsibility is.

What if I move to a different state?

Your doctor's order and Medicare coverage move with you. Contact a Medicare-approved supplier in your new state and provide them with your existing order. If your new doctor wants to change the order, they can write a new one. There is no break in coverage as long as you stay enrolled in Medicare Part B.

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.