There are so many factors to consider when planning to rent or buy a home hospital bed. You’d have to think about quality of life, safety of the caregiver and patient, as well as the patient’s independence. So many people also worry about how the cost of a hospital bed can be covered. We will talk about all these in this article.
When should I buy a hospital bed?
Most times, people spend money on a hospital bed when they need to care for a physically challenged person or somebody battling one form of illness or the other. This bed may also become necessary when caring for someone with dementia. As a caregiver, you should ask the following questions when considering a hospital bed for home use.
- Will you be providing bathing care or incontinence care?
- Is elevation of the head or feet needed when the patient sleeps?
- Is your safety and that of the patient a concern for you when they are been helped in and out of bed?
- As the partner of the patient, have you made up your mind to sleep separately (if you have always maintained the same bed up to this point)?
If you can provide an affirmative answer to these questions, then it could make sense to acquire or rent a hospital bed.
A home hospital bed does not only benefit the person sleeping on it, it is also beneficial to a caregiver as it helps prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Figures from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics suggests that there is a greater chance of sustaining musculoskeletal injuries for persons working in the healthcare sector than in any other industry.
Selecting the right hospital bed
A good hospital bed provides adequate support for patients in positions that a regular bed cannot support. The method of achieving such positioning is the ultimate difference between different types of hospital beds.
Electric beds
They are also called fully electric beds. The foot, head, and height of this type of hospital bed is achieved through electrical controls. Electric beds do not come cheap. They cost as much as $40,000.
Semi-Electric beds
This type of bed uses both manual and electrical controls. The bed’s head and foot are controlled electrically, but the height is manually controlled. A semi-electric bed costs around $1000.
Manual beds
This type of bed requires so much effort from the user. The foot, height, and head are adjusted through a hand crank. They are the least expensive of all and can be purchased for less than $1000.
Bariatric hospital beds
A standard hospital bed is designed to withstand 400 to 600 pounds of weight. If a person’s weight is beyond the limit of a standard hospital bed, a bariatric hospital bed should be used. This type of bed can provide support between 600 and 1000 pounds. Bariatric beds are typically longer and wider and are more expensive than standard hospital beds.
Typically, a hospital bed will have more weight and width than a regular bed. However, it is possible to adjust this height to make it lower or higher. You can purchase a new or used hospital bed from online outlets or brick-and-mortar stores.
Should I buy or rent a hospital bed?
This depends on a host of factors such personal preference, the patient’s health condition, and budget. A hospital bed may be rented if it is confirmed that the patient’s condition will improve within a period.
Does Insurance Cover Hospital Beds?
A hospital bed is classified as a durable medical equipment by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The two public health insurance in the United States of America (Medicaid and Medicare) are administered by CMS. For Medicare to cover the cost of a hospital bed, it must be prescribed by a physician or doctor. Additional documentation may be needed if the physician prescribes a fully electric or semi-electric bed. Conditions that may qualify a person for insurance coverage of a home hospital bed include:
- Severe arthritis
- An injury to the foot or leg
- Some degree of paralysis, e.g., quadriplegia or paraplegia
- A heart condition that makes it uneasy to get in and out of bed.
Medicare
There isn’t just one plan available within Medicare. Medicare Part A and Medical Part B are collectively referred to as original Medicare. Part A takes care of inpatient fees and charges, i.e., the treatment and healthcare received in rehabilitation centers and hospitals while Part B covers DME, prescription drugs, and healthcare services delivered in the office of a physician. It also covers other services like ambulance services.
Medicaid
This is a federal and state government funded public health insurance scheme. Medicaid allows states choose how durable medical equipment will be covered.
Coverage for Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) covers the payment of home hospital bed just like Medicaid and Medicare as long as it is confirmed as a medical necessity by a doctor physician.
Additional costs
When considering the overall cost of a hospital bed, you should consider the cost of a few accessories. They include:
- Sheets
- Mattress
- Hospital bed table
- Trapeze and rails