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Does Medicare Pay for Hospital Beds in Assisted Living?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Medicare partially covers the cost of hospital beds and other durable medical equipment for assisted living residents. You may qualify if your doctor prescribes a hospital bed for you.
You pay 20% of the approved cost of the bed after you meet your Medicare Part B deductible. Medicare covers the other 80% of the cost. For example, if you’ve already met your deductible, and the bed costs $1,000, you pay $200 and Medicare pays $800.
How do you get a hospital bed in assisted living through Medicare?
Once your plan approves this item, you must order the hospital bed from a Medicare-participating supplier. The supplier must accept assignment, which means they agree to the Medicare-approved amount and only charge you for the specified Part B deductible and coinsurance amount.
Depending on your specific Medicare plan, you may have to rent or buy the hospital bed. Some plans let you pick whether to rent or buy the bed.
When is a hospital bed medically necessary?
Medicare covers a hospital bed if you have a medical condition that requires a position you can’t achieve with an ordinary bed. For example, your health care provider may recommend that you keep your upper body elevated at least 30 degrees if you have aspiration issues, chronic pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure.
In addition, a hospital bed can help relieve chronic pain through positioning. Medicare also considers a hospital bed medically necessary if you need traction equipment that can’t be used with a standard bed.