Does Medicare Cover Hospital Beds?

Does Medicare cover a hospital bed for home use?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers hospital beds as durable medical equipment (DME) when a doctor or other treating provider orders the bed as medically necessary for use in your home. This is the most common way people get a Medicare-covered hospital bed.

To qualify as DME, the bed must meet Medicare's standard test: it is durable enough to withstand repeated use, it is used for a medical reason, it generally would not be useful to someone who is not sick or injured, it is used in your home, and it is expected to last at least 3 years.

There is an important split by setting. A bed you use at home is paid for by Part B. But if you are admitted as an inpatient, the bed is part of your hospital care and is covered under Part A (Hospital Insurance), not as home DME.

How much does a hospital bed cost with Medicare in 2026?

If your supplier accepts assignment, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet the Part B deductible, and Medicare pays the other 80%.

• Part B deductible (2026): $283 per year. You pay this before Medicare starts paying its share.
• Your share: 20% coinsurance of the Medicare-approved amount.
• Part B premium (2026): $202.90 per month standard. You must keep paying your Part B premium to keep the coverage that pays for DME.
• Inpatient bed (Part A): if the bed is part of an inpatient hospital stay, the 2026 Part A inpatient deductible is $1,736 per benefit period.

Do I rent or buy the bed - and do I eventually own it?

For more expensive DME like a hospital bed, Medicare normally pays to rent the item rather than buy it outright. You rent through a Medicare-enrolled supplier, and your 20% coinsurance applies to the rental.

After 13 months of continuous use, the supplier must transfer ownership of the bed to you. At that point the bed is yours.

• Medicare pays the supplier monthly during the rental period.
• After the 13th rental month, the supplier transfers ownership to you.
• Confirm your supplier accepts assignment for all rental months. If they don't, you could be asked to pay the full cost upfront.

What do I need to qualify, and which suppliers can I use?

Coverage depends on having the right paperwork and using the right people. A hospital bed is not something you can simply buy and submit for reimbursement.

To find a Medicare-enrolled supplier, you can use the supplier directory at Medicare.gov or call your doctor's office, which often works with local DME companies.

• Doctor's order: you need an order or prescription from your doctor stating the bed is medically necessary for your condition.
• Both must be enrolled: your doctor and your DME supplier must both be enrolled in Medicare for the bed to be covered.
• Accept assignment: a participating supplier must accept assignment, meaning they charge you only your coinsurance and any unmet deductible based on the Medicare-approved amount.
• Competitive bidding areas: in these areas you generally must use a Medicare contract supplier, and that supplier can't charge you more than your 20% coinsurance plus any unmet yearly deductible.
• If a supplier does not accept assignment, you may have to pay more, and possibly the full cost upfront for rented equipment.

Does Medicare cover electric, adjustable, and specialty beds?

Medicare can cover different types of hospital beds when they are medically necessary for your condition. The level of bed your doctor orders (for example, a basic manual bed, a semi-electric bed, or a fully electric bed) depends on your documented medical needs.

Medicare Part B also covers air-fluidized beds and other pressure-reducing support surfaces, including certain beds, mattresses, and mattress overlays, when a doctor prescribes them for home use to prevent or treat pressure sores (pressure ulcers).

Because rules differ by bed type, confirm with your doctor and supplier exactly what is being ordered and whether prior authorization is needed before the bed is delivered.

• Pressure-reducing surfaces: covered under Part B when prescribed for home use to prevent or treat bedsores.
• Prior authorization: certain pressure-reducing support surfaces, such as powered air flotation beds, require prior authorization before Medicare will cover them.
• Accessories: bed-related items are evaluated individually based on medical necessity; ask your supplier which accessories are covered and require an order.

Medicare Advantage and care in a facility

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans must cover the same DME items as Original Medicare, including hospital beds. However, the suppliers you must use and your specific out-of-pocket costs depend on your plan. Many plans require you to use network suppliers and to get prior approval first.

Because the details vary by plan, contact your Medicare Advantage plan before you get the bed. Ask which suppliers are in network, what you will pay, and whether prior authorization is required. Confirm cost details in your plan's Evidence of Coverage.

If you are an inpatient in a hospital, your bed is covered under Part A as part of inpatient care. Coverage in a skilled nursing facility, nursing home, or assisted living setting depends on your situation and the level of care, so ask the facility and Medicare how equipment is billed before you assume Part B home DME rules apply.