A hospital bed, often called a Home Medical Equipment (HME) bed, is specialized furniture designed to facilitate medical care and improve patient comfort in a residential setting. Renting is common for individuals needing temporary support during post-surgical recovery or managing a chronic illness or palliative care at home. These beds offer adjustable height and positioning, making daily caregiving safer and more manageable than using a standard consumer bed. Renting is often chosen when the duration of need is short, as it is typically more cost-effective than purchasing.
Identifying Suppliers for Home Medical Equipment
The primary source for renting a home hospital bed is a dedicated Durable Medical Equipment (DME) or Home Medical Equipment (HME) company. These licensed providers specialize in supplying, delivering, and setting up medical devices intended for repeated use in the home. You can locate these companies by searching for “Durable Medical Equipment rental near me” or “hospital bed rental.”
Many local and national pharmacy chains also have HME departments that offer rental services, including hospital beds. A good starting point is often a referral from a hospital discharge planner, social worker, or primary care physician, as they maintain lists of trusted local suppliers. Always verify that the chosen supplier is accredited and licensed to operate in your state. This ensures the quality of the equipment and proper billing procedures.
Selecting the Right Hospital Bed Model
Selecting the correct bed model depends on the patient’s physical condition, their need for independence, and the caregiver’s capacity for physical effort. The most basic option is the manual bed, which uses hand cranks to adjust the frame height and the positioning of the head and foot sections. Although manual beds are the most economical to rent, they require a caregiver to perform all adjustments, which can be physically demanding.
A more common choice is the semi-electric bed, which allows electronic adjustment of the head and foot sections via a remote control. However, the overall bed height still requires manual adjustment using a hand crank. This model balances convenience with a lower rental cost than fully motorized options. The full-electric bed offers maximum convenience, using electric motors for all functions, including the height of the bed frame.
Specialized accessories are often rented alongside the bed to address specific medical requirements. For instance, a specialized mattress, such as an alternating pressure or low air loss model, helps prevent pressure ulcers (bedsores) for individuals with limited mobility. Side rails are generally included for patient safety, while a trapeze bar can be rented to help a patient reposition themselves or transfer independently.
Understanding Coverage and Rental Fees
A hospital bed for home use is classified as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) by most insurance providers, including Medicare Part B. To secure coverage, a physician must provide a written prescription, known as a Certificate of Medical Necessity. This document must specify the medical condition requiring the bed’s specialized features. The bed must be deemed necessary for the treatment of an illness or injury and for use within the patient’s home.
Original Medicare Part B typically pays 80% of the Medicare-approved rental amount after the annual deductible is met. This coverage is often structured as a “capped rental” arrangement, where Medicare pays for a 13-month period, after which ownership transfers to the patient. Private insurance and Medicare Advantage plans may follow different rules, potentially requiring a co-pay or pre-authorization. It is essential to contact the plan administrator directly to confirm specific coverage details.
For individuals paying out-of-pocket, monthly rental rates vary significantly based on the bed type and location, generally ranging from $200 to $500. A basic manual bed may rent for $50 to $100 per month, while a full-electric bed with a specialized mattress package often costs more. It is important to confirm whether the quoted fee includes delivery, set-up, and any necessary accessories before finalizing the rental agreement.