Medicare Adjustable Beds For Seniors

A Closer Look At Our Selection Process

In choosing our best mattresses for seniors, we emphasize four testing categories with special importance for elderly sleepers: pressure relief, spine alignment, edge support, and ease of set-up Heres a look at how our picks performed in the Mattress Advisor Sleep Lab:

Note: The testing categories we focused on dont reflect overall performance. Depending on your needs and preferences, you might put more value on particular qualities.

If you have any questions about our picks, or sleep in general, feel free to contact us.

What Are The Payment Options For An Adjustable Bed With Medicare Part B

The payment method for the bed will depend on the model type and the supplier you use, but it will be either

So long as your doctor is a Medicare-enrolled doctor, and the supplier also is a Medicare-enrolled supplier, then Medicare should accept to cover the purchase and

• your deductible for Medicare part B will apply
• you will need to pay the supplier your co-pay of 20% of the Medicare-approved price of the item
• Medicare will then pay the supplier the remaining 80% of the Medicare-approved price for your item

Purple Ascent Adjustable Bed Base

Try this bed for 100 nights before deciding if you want to keep it

The Purple Ascent Adjustable Bed Base is a high-quality adjustable bed with several convenient features to keep you relaxed, rested, and recharged and because of the 100-night trial period, you can give it a try in the comfort of your own home to see for yourself!

Some of our favorite features include:

• 100-night trial period
• Adjustable presets include zero-g and anti-snore
• USB Charging ports
• Beautiful wooden legs

The 100-night trial period does have a couple of strings attached, however. Theres a 10% restocking charge for returns, and youll need to transport it to a FedEx location yourself or cough up a several-hundred dollar fee to have them pick it up from your home.

However, its unlikely that youll be inclined to return it once you give it a try!

The Purple doesnt boast a ton of fancy features, but it does offer USB charging ports, plus all the benefits of the zero-gravity position with the ease of a one-touch preset button. In fact, there are presets for several convenient positions, such as flat, sitting, and anti-snore. These presets can be adjusted and customized to your liking, so they provide the most comfortable position for you.

Seniors with vision impairment may find the remote a bit hard to use, as the buttons are dark against a dark background. Theyre also a little on the small side, which could make them harder to operate for those with poor hand dexterity.

Cons

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Schedule An Appointment With A Doctor That Participates In Medicare

Participates in Medicare? What, exactly, does that mean?

If youre new or unfamiliar with the Medicare system, you might be unaware that doctors need to participate in the medicare system, just like you do. If a doctor isnt participating in Medicare, they wont be able to help you get your adjustable bed paid for.

Thankfully, the overwhelming majority of doctors who treat older people are participants in Medicare, so you shouldnt have to worry about whether or not your doctor will be able to help you. In fact, if you werent aware of the participation requirement, its probably because you never needed to be!

The point here is this: you cannot get an adjustable bed, or anything else for that matter, paid for by Medicare without going through your doctor. The first step in getting an adjustable bed through medicare is making an appointment!

One Thing To Know About Medicare And Adjustable Beds

This is the real kicker: Medicare wont pay for most types of adjustable beds you see in furniture stores or online, because they might not fit the description of Durable Medical Equipment. Most adjustable beds that you can get through medicare will be hospital beds with an adjustable element.

So, before you get your hopes up about getting a Reverie or Tempur-Pedic bed through Medicare, you should understand that that is pretty unlikely. Instead, you will probably end up with a solid, dependable hospital bed that can raise or lower at the touch of the button. At the end of the day, as long as your hospital bed mattress is comfortable, you probably wont notice the difference!

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What Is The Benefit Of An Adjustable Bed

Adjustable beds are a great option for older adults that struggle with mobility and need to sleep in different positions. The adjustable bed allows them to adjust the height of their head and feet, as well as the mattress position. This is beneficial for those who suffer from arthritis, joint pain, or muscle spasms because it reduces pressure on their joints. Raising the top portion of the bed will also reduce snoring by increasing airflow and prevent acid reflux by elevating the head.

The adjustable bed can also be used by people who have difficulty getting out of low-set beds. It can also be helpful to those recovering from hip surgery or other orthopedic surgeries and injuries like broken hips and femurs because they allow you to raise your legs higher than a regular bed does, which speeds up recovery time.

Is An Adjustable Bed Worth The Money

While the short answer is that adjustable beds are indeed worth the money, finding an adjustable bed that’s eligible for Medicare means that you’re potentially looking at an investment that will literally last you for years to come and possibly even more. Indeed, knowing that your adjustable bed can be covered by Medicare allows you to stress less and focus more on looking for the best adjustable bed for seniors.

The potential savings on your adjustable bed also allows you more freedom to match it with right mattress. While some adjustable bed manufacturers offer discounts for when you buy a matching mattress, these options can also be quite costly.

Case in point, The Sleep Foundation‘s roundup of best mattress brands recommends Zenhaven’s latex mattress as a top pick that works with an adjustable bed. This mattress costs around $2,000 alone Awara’s mattresses, which also come in the list, are valued at around $1,500.

So all in all, adjustable beds do require a bit of investment upfront. And it’s not necessarily just in terms of money, as checking against multiple insurance providers and finding Medicare-approved suppliers can also take up a lot of time. That’s not even counting the research it takes to look for different beds!

At this point, it’s safe to say that we’ve gone through all the physical benefits of investing in adjustable beds for the elderly. However, it’s also worth looking at the mental health benefits that this can provide for you and your loved one.

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Does Medicare Cover Hospital Beds

Medicare will cover a hospital bed when you can show a medical necessity for the bed. You must also be covered under Medicare Part B and have been assessed by your doctor. The doctor must document your need in your medical records and write you an order for the equipment. Only your doctor can prescribe the equipment for you.The supplier must receive the order before Medicare is billed and it must be kept on file by the supplier.

How Will Original Medicare Cover Adjustable Beds In The Home

Medicare will cover adjustable beds in the home, but you will be required to provide evidence that the bed is a medically necessary. For instance, if you require frequent repositioning due to pain caused by cardiac disease, spinal cord injuries, or severe arthritis.

A disability that requires you to use an adjustable bed must exist. First, you will be required to obtain a prescription from your doctor, along with supporting medical records. For example, if a special mattress, or bed rails are required then they must be included in the prescription.

When the above conditions are met, Medicare will pay up to 80%, after the part B deductible has been paid.

Examples of Durable Medical Equipment That is Associated with Adjustable Beds:

• Air-Fluidized bed
• Air or water pressure pad for mattress
• Heavy-duty beds with a weight capacity greater than 600 pounds
• Fixed-height hospital bed
• Special gel pressure mattress pad
• Semi-electric hospital bed
• Electric hospital bed with foot, head, and height adjustment
• Variable-height hospital bed

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What Mattress Is Covered By Medicare

Medicare Part B does not cover every kind of mattress. Additionally, you must get it only through Medicare-approved mattress and bed suppliers in your area. Your doctor may have a list of such suppliers, so make sure to double-check at the doctors office. There are many types of mattresses and beds that Medicare typically approves. Hospital beds and pressure-reducing mattresses are some of the most common options. If you are struggling with pressure ulcers, then you may be able to get an air-fluidized bed.

Will The Adjustable Beds Covered By Medicare Can Be Obtained Commercially

Accredited suppliers under Medicare can fulfill the need for your adjustable hospital bed if they are medically necessary. Only Medicare accredited suppliers can help cut costs. The price of Medicare will shoulder is often pre-agreed by the parties.

Adjustable beds bought outside of the suppliers provided will never be covered by Medicare. Many bed suppliers mislead patients into buying from them without being accredited Medicare suppliers of DME products. It is very likely that their sales personnel do so in an attempt to meet their monthly sales quota. It is always important to check if the supplier is enrolled under the Medicare program to be able to collect later on.

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Does Medicare Cover Adjustable Beds

Medicare covers adjustable beds under Part B.

Medicare Part B pays for outpatient medical costs, such as durable medical equipment. This includes adjustable beds. Part B will cover these beds when your doctor orders one for you to use in your home.

For Part B to cover your adjustable bed, both your doctor and the company thatll supply the bed must be enrolled as Medicare providers.

Depending on the bed you need and the supplier, you might be able to:

Adjustable Hospital Beds For Home

Are fully-adjustable hospital beds right for you? We cant deny the convenience and ease of use they offer. These ergonomically-minded home care beds make lifes tiny adjustments simple, often without the aid of a family member or provider.While we love our old-school manual beds, we urge any patron with mobility limitations to consider any of our electric hospital beds. Automatic beds offer an enhanced sense of autonomy everything you need sits right in the palm of your hand

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Why You Should Trust Us

Our team has many years of experience testing and reviewing sleep products to help readers make informed choices.

Our recommendations for the best adjustable beds for seniors take into account durability, special features, and how each base performs during our testing process. With a view to tailoring our recommendations to older adults, we also consider factors such as bed height and pressure-relieving settings.

The Spend Down Program

Spend Down programs help the program participants to qualify for Medicaid coverage.

The program participants can make deductions of certain expenses and some debts and loans depending on the method they are using to Spend Down

There are two methods

• Asset Spend Down

Should you wish to find out more, I have an article where I explain who can qualify for Spend Down, the expenses you can deduct on a Spend Down, and how you know if you qualify What is Spend Down ?

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Medicare Coverage Of Adjustable Beds

As with other types of durable medical equipment , adjustable beds or hospital beds can be covered by Medicare for use in your home. Adjustable beds can be useful for several different conditions but must be considered a medical necessity for Medicare to cover one.

Medicare covers beds if your body needs constant repositioning to alleviate pain and illness or if you have a condition that requires attachments or devices that do not configure with a regular bed.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, using a hospital bed in your home can be as effective as staying in one in an inpatient facility, but much cheaper.

Medical Benefits of Using an Adjustable or Hospital Bed

• Prevent contractures
• Prevent respiratory infections

Many different diseases or conditions could make an adjustable bed medically necessary such as cardiac disease, COPD or paraplegia.

Medicare coverage includes other parts and equipment related to an adjustable or hospital bed, such as side rails, but it depends on your condition. A variable height feature is also available if you have certain conditions like severe arthritis or some cardiac conditions.

A bed with electric-powered adjustments is also covered if you have a condition where your body position needs to be changed often. You would also need to operate the controls of the adjustments independently unless you have a brain or spine injury.

What Is A Criteria To Get The Hospital Bed

There is no definitive answer to this question as each hospital has its own policies and procedures in place regarding who is eligible for a hospital bed. However, in general, patients who are deemed to be in need of constant medical care and supervision, and who cannot be safely cared for at home or in another type of facility, are typically the ones who are approved for a hospital bed.

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Does Medicare Pay For Hospital Bed For Hospice Patient

As people age, they often face more complicated health issues and require more medical care. One of the questions that frequently comes up is whether Medicare will cover the cost of a hospital bed for a hospice patient. Hospice care is a type of care that is typically provided to patients who have a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice care focuses on managing symptoms and providing comfort, rather than trying to cure the underlying disease. Medicare will cover the cost of a hospital bed for a hospice patient under certain circumstances. In general, Medicare will cover the cost of a hospital bed if it is medically necessary for the hospice patient. Medicare will also cover the cost of a hospital bed if the hospice patient needs the bed for pain management or other symptom control. If you are a Medicare beneficiary and you are considering hospice care, it is important to discuss your options with your doctor and your Medicare provider to find out if Medicare will cover the cost of a hospital bed for you.

As part B, we cover the following services: doctors services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventative care. A hospital bed, in this case, is considered durable medical equipment for use in your home and is covered by this policy.

Where Do I Purchase Or Rent Hospital Beds

You will save money if you order your items from a Medicare-approved provider that accepts the assignment. You may also buy your hospital bed from any store that sells them. However, if the supplier from which you order your bed is not enrolled in Medicare, Medicare will not pay for the equipment.

Things to review before you choose a supplier:

• There are two types of Medicare suppliers: participating suppliers, and those who are enrolled but have chosen not to participate.
• Participating suppliers will not charge more than the Medicare allowed amount.
• A Medicare approved provider who does not want to participate can charge more than the Medicare-approved amount. However, they cannot charge more than 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. They may also ask you to pay the entire bill when you pick up the bed. In this situation, Medicare will send the reimbursement directly to you. However, be prepared to wait it may take a couple of months to receive payment.
• If you receive your Medicare coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan , it is likely that the plan will have its own steps for the purchase. In addition, the plan may have restrictions on which suppliers you can use.

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Medicare Requirements For A Hospital Bed

To qualify for Medicare Part B coverage for a hospital bed as durable medical equipment for use in your home, you must

• be enrolled in Medicare Part B
• have a signed prescription from a physician certifying that the bed is medically necessary according to the Medicare criteria
• the physician who prescribes the bed must be a Medicare-enrolled physician
• have had an in-person visit with the physician within 6 months prior to the ordering of the bed
• have a qualifying diagnosis
• your physician must present case history documents
• your physician has to show how you will benefit from having a hospital bed either maintaining it or improving it
• use a Medicare-enrolled durable medical equipment supplier, preferably a participating supplier

Prosthetic And Orthotic Items

Orthopedic shoes only when theyre a necessary part of a leg braceArm, leg, back, and neck braces , as long as you go to a supplier thats enrolled in MedicareArtificial limbs and eyesBreast prostheses after a mastectomyOstomy bags and certain related suppliesUrological suppliesTherapeutic shoes or inserts for people with diabetes who have severe diabetic foot disease.

White CanesWigs

If you are trying to qualify for an adjustable bed through Medicare because you wanted a bed with side rails, you may be interested to know that they are not the safest option for certain categories of elderly, or frail individuals, and have been linked to many deaths.

In the article Alternative to bed rails for the elderly I outline lots of safer options to stop your parents from falling out of bed, and which are also far less costly than a hospital bed. It is worth a look, and you can find thathere.

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