What you need to know about hospital beds
Medicare may cover hospital beds under Part B when they’re medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. Beds needed only for comfort or convenience aren’t covered, and costs can vary by plan.
What is a hospital bed and when is it needed at home?
Hospital beds are adjustable beds made for people with some kind of illness or injury. They can help position your body to heal better, decrease pain or even make getting out of bed easier.
A hospital bed may be used at home if it’s medically necessary. Your health care provider will usually need to decide if this is the case. A hospital bed may support recovery while you do physical therapy.
Are you an Aetna® member in need of a hospital bed?
Does Original Medicare (Part A and B) cover hospital beds?
You may be able to get coverage from Medicare Part B for a hospital bed. Medicare Part B may cover hospital beds as durable medical equipment (DME) when your doctor says they’re medically necessary. Your health care provider must prescribe it for use in your home.
If you’re covered, Part B pays 80% of the cost after your Medicare deductible is paid. You pay the remaining 20% of the cost for your hospital bed. Your deductible is the amount you have to pay before your coverage starts helping. The 2026 Part B deductible is $283.
Thinking about what you may pay for a hospital bed under Medicare? Review Medicare costs and what they include.
Medicare Part B coverage also requires you to buy or rent from a Medicare-approved hospital bed supplier. You can find approved suppliers using the Medicare equipment supplier search tool. If you rent, you’ll need to make sure your supplier accepts your Medicare-approved payment amount for every month you’ll be renting.
If you need a hospital bed as part of a larger recovery plan, Medicare coverage may look different if you’re receiving care in a skilled nursing facility compared to ongoing nursing home care.
What medical conditions qualify you for a hospital bed under Medicare?
To qualify for hospital bed coverage, Medicare requirements state that the bed must be medically necessary. That means you need to have a qualifying health condition. These conditions usually involve limits to your movement and specific positioning needed for your body. They may include but are not limited to:
- Breathing problems
- Spinal cord injuries
- Conditions involving muscular breakdown
- Conditions affecting the nervous system
Your doctor still needs to prescribe a hospital bed for use in your home if you have a qualifying condition.
Do Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover hospital beds?
Medicare Advantage plans offer everything you get with Medicare Part B coverage, but often with other benefits added on. The specifics vary by plan. Make sure you check the details of your plan for info on costs and rules. You may need prior authorization, meaning your insurance company needs to approve your hospital bed costs before you buy or rent it.
Interested in switching to a Medicare Advantage plan? Learn more about Aetna® Medicare Advantage plans.
What types of hospital beds will Medicare pay for?
Medicare usually covers the most basic types of hospital beds. This includes manual and semi-electric hospital beds with features like adjustable height. Because Medicare coverage is based on medical need, only necessary hospital bed features are covered. Beds with features you don’t need may not be accepted.
Need a Medicare Advantage plan to support your hospital bed needs?
