People typically look for a hospital bed because they are caring for someone who has had a recent injury or has an illness that would be managed more effectively with a hospital bed. How do you get a hospital bed for home use, though?
A hospital bed for the home can make life easier. Having an adjustable bed while providing care causes less strain on the caregiver’s back, and positioning a person becomes more manageable. Some insurance will cover hospital beds, and if you don’t have insurance coverage, there are ways that you can get the bed for less cost or even free.
How do you get a hospital bed for home? Are they expensive? These are just a few of the questions that many people ask when considering a hospital bed at home. Let’s look at some of the questions asked and make it easier for you to focus on the care of your loved one.
How to Get a Hospital Bed at Home through Medicare
Medicare looks at a hospital bed as part of your Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage. All DME is covered under Medicare Part B. Generally speaking, under original Medicare, most DME is an 80/20 split, with you being responsible for 20% of the bed cost. However, each insurance plan can look different. For example, if you have original Medicare and Medigap, sometimes Medigap will pay the remaining 20%, and you will pay nothing.
Your physician will prescribe a hospital bed for you if you have a medical condition that requires a hospital bed. The illness is not limited to the following but could include trouble breathing, swollen feet and legs, a wound, or a greater risk of falling. The doctor will describe the condition that requires you to have a hospital bed to Medicare.
Medicare also requires that you be under a doctor’s care and seen at least every six months. The doctor will see you for the condition that causes you to need a hospital bed and continue to document this need. Additionally, Your Doctor and the DME provider must be Medicare Providers. If you choose to use someone who is not a Medicare participant, you may have increased charges.
What if I Do Not Have Medicare, Can I get a Hospital Bed?
Often people need a hospital bed and are not on Medicare. Maybe you have a bad back and are caring for your loved one who does not qualify for a bed, or you have a condition that could be improved with a hospital bed. There are other ways to get a hospital bed.
There are places to purchase or rent hospital beds to use at home. Some DME companies will give you a hospital bed on a rent-to-own basis. There are even hospital beds for sale on Amazon, starting at about five hundred dollars and up to five thousand dollars.
Another option is to look for a used hospital bed; most cities have organizations that sell used hospital equipment. You can start by looking within your community. Local Goodwill Stores or Salvation Army will sometimes have hospital beds. Another resource for a used hospital bed is this buyer’s guide.
How Can I Get a Hospital Bed at Home for Free?
Often, seniors or other individuals cannot afford the payment for a hospital bed, and sometimes people are willing to give away theirs for free. So, it becomes a matter of where to look for a hospital bed for home.
A big part is looking within your community, asking people you know, or checking places like Facebook Market Place or Craigslist. There is another way for low-income individuals by looking at organizations that give beds or other equipment for free; they are charitable organizations that donate or pay for the cost of the needed equipment.
Sometimes organizations for a particular illness, such as Alzheimer’s Association, The American Cancer Society, or whatever organization that supports your condition, can help you get a hospital bed for home.
The Mattress for a Hospital Bed
Most hospital beds come with mattresses, but some do not, or you require a specialty mattress for your condition. Your doctor will prescribe the best mattress for you to rest comfortably. If your mattress does not come with your bed, you will need to decide which type to get.
Hospital mattresses are similar to regular bed mattresses, except you should not use a traditional mattress on your hospital bed. When choosing a mattress, the most significant factor will be how much time a person spends in bed. There are four types of mattresses to choose from:
- Innerspring Mattress- This mattress is the most economical choice; it has inter-mattress coils that are evenly distributed. It is best suited for someone who has several hours out of bed each day.
- Foam Mattress – This is also an economical choice. It is lighter and firmer than an innerspring but shifts a person’s weight for bedsore prevention.
- Low Air Loss Mattress – This has an increased cost, but it is great for a person with bedsores. It is pressure relieving and reduces skin moisture.
- Alternating Pressure Mattress – This is the costliest of the mattresses. The movement of the mattress can keep body fluids and lung secretions moving. It prevents pressure on bedsores and can increase circulation. It is similar to the Low Air Loss Mattress.
Sheets and Bedding for a Hospital Bed
A standard hospital bed is thirty-six inches wide by eighty inches long. You can get three different sheets for your bed, and most stores sell them. The sheets come as fitted, draw sheets, and flat sheets, and ideally, you will have one of each kind.
A drawsheet is a smaller sheet placed under a person to aid with positioning or turning a person safely. It runs the length from the person’s thighs to upper back and can be made out of cotton, plastic, or rubber. The fitted and flat sheets are similar to what is used on regular mattresses; one wraps around the mattress, and the other is used for covering the person in bed. The bedding for your hospital bed can be standard covers and pillows depending on what the person needs for their comfort.
Taking the time to find a hospital bed for the home can be daunting. However, the added benefit of a hospital bed at home is worth the effort it took in providing the care or relief of illness needed for your loved one.
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