Medicare coverage isn’t a straightforward thing to grasp. Although it isn’t difficult to understand what Medicare Parts A and B covers (they are jointly called original Medicare), it may be uneasy to understand what other plans like Medicare supplement, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage plans cater for.
You should know if Medicare can help cover the cost of what is needed for your treatment and recovery. The good news is that Medicare can offer some assistance if you need cover for beds and mattresses. However, you may be required to pay a certain amount to get this coverage.
Rental and purchase of some mattresses and beds is covered by Medicare. However, having an understanding of the types of beds and mattresses that can be covered is a plus. The bed must be classified as a medical necessity and a type of durable medical equipment.
What is Durable Medical Equipment?
This refers to any medical equipment needed for your health. According to Medicare, durable medical equipment must be a medical necessity and prescribed for home use by a physician or doctor.
There are certain requirements that an item must meet for it to be Medicare-eligible. They include:
- It must serve a medical purpose
- It must be part of a prescription from a physician or medical professional
- It shouldn’t be disposable, i.e., it has to be used repeatedly
- It has to be used at home.
- It must be useful to someone battling a medical condition, an injury, or disability.
With a durable medical equipment, a Medicare subscriber can manage his or health better since it is meant for long-term use. Other items that qualify as pieces of DME include oxygen equipment, blood sugar monitors, wheelchairs, and walkers.
How do I find a mattress covered by Medicare
As said ab initio, Medicare helps people that need a new mattress but don’t have the financial ability to acquire one. However, such a mattress has to qualify as durable medical equipment. You will also have to verify from your specific medical coverage to know the exact amount Medicare will pay.
An online search is an easy way to find a Medicare-approved mattress. You’d be able to see mattresses from various providers and prune down your search for specific types. There are so many Medicare-approved mattresses and beds on the internet. Searching online also allows you to be able to compare prices.
Types of mattresses covered by Medicare
Some mattresses and beds are classified as durable medical equipment. A few other sleep accessories fall under this category. However, not all beds and mattresses can be covered by Medicare.
The beds and bed-related equipment covered by Medicare include:
- Pressure-reducing beds
- Pressure-reducing mattresses
- Pressure-reducing mattress overlays
The specifics of your Medicare plan will often determine coverage of these beds and mattresses. It is also heavily dependent on diagnosis and doctor’s prescription.
You may be required by Medicare to buy or rent the bed or mattress depending on the prescription of the doctor. This order will also have to be made from a Medicare-enrolled DME subscriber else your claim won’t be paid by Medicare.