There’s a lot of fine print when it comes to health insurance. Deductibles, hidden fees, and sneaky qualifications can make it difficult to find out what you’re covered for and what you have to pay. And if you’re a Medicare subscriber, that process can be particularly tough.
As confusing as Medicare coverage can be, there are some significant benefits worth looking into—like a brand new bed. Your Medicare plan might offer to pay for a new bed at home. Here’s what you need to know if you’re a Medicare subscriber in need of a bed.
LightField Studios / ShutterstockBeds Can Be Considered Durable Medical Equipment
Under Medicare, certain types of beds are considered Durable Medical Equipment.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is equipment that helps patients function in their daily lives. It’s a type of health or medical equipment that’s considered medically necessary by your doctor, like walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen equipment and more.
Only your doctor can prescribe DME for you. And in order to get a piece of DME under Medicare¹, you’ll need to meet certain criteria that must be met:
- It must be used for medical purposes
- It must be durable and meant for repeated use
- It is not useful to someone who isn’t sick or injured
- You are able to be used at home
- The item has a general life expectancy of at least three years
Fortunately, once you’ve been prescribed a piece of DME that meets these criteria, Medicare will cover some of the cost of that equipment – as much as 80 percent². And a new mattress may fall under the Durable Medical Equipment category, if you purchase a certain Medicare approved type.
Which Types Of Beds Are Covered By Medicare?
Only certain mattresses qualify as durable medical equipment. The mattress must serve a medical purpose³ that’s recommended by your doctor. It’s important to know which mattresses qualify under Medicare so you know if the mattress you need will be covered.
There are the three types of beds and bed-related equipment covered by Medicare:
- Pressure-reducing beds
- Pressure-reducing mattresses
- Pressure-reducing mattress overlays
It’s always cheaper to purchase your mattress with a Medicare supplier. To find suppliers, you’ll want to search online to find Medicare-approved mattress and bed suppliers in your area. There are a lot of options out there, so make sure to focus on the ones approved by Medicare so you know it can qualify for coverage.
Typically, Medicare will pay 80 percent⁴ of the cost and subscribers will pay the remaining 20 percent. Mattresses can be expensive, so this is a huge savings opportunity Medicare insured patients should take advantage of.
Look into your health plan or talk to a Medicare representative that can guide you through your coverage. The costs can vary depending on your plan, so it’s good to research what you qualify for before spending any money.
Top Pressure Relief Mattresses
Luckily, there are a ton of options out there if you’re looking into a new mattress that could be covered by Medicare. DME approved beds aren’t too difficult to find.
Here are five top mattresses you should consider.
1. Solace Resolution Glissando Heavy Duty Mattress
Friction can be something that triggers ulcers from forming, so the Solace Resolution Glissando Heavy Duty Mattress works to prevent that from happening. It’s made with two layers of high-density foam to reduce friction and redistribute pressure for the best comfort.
2. Joerns PrevaMatt Defend Pressure Relief Mattress
There are a lot of benefits that come with using this pressure relief mattress. It’s foam material prioritizes comfort and pressure relief at the same time. Sustainable and plant based materials are used to make this mattress, which increases the quality and lowers the amount of chemicals used.
3. Drive Medical Therapeutic 5 Zone Support Mattress
The mattress is able to target over five therapeutic pressure zones for support and comfort. It’s latex free and reduces the occurrence of friction.
4. ThevoRelief Pressure Relief Mattress
The ThevoRelief Pressure Relief Mattress is made to help manage body aches and pain. It does this by stimulating the nerve tracts and providing back support, which is supposed to help improve your sleep each night.
5. Drive Medical Alternating Pressure Low Air Loss Mattress System
Here’s another mattress that alternates pressure points and reduces friction. The Drive Medical Alternating Pressure Low Air Loss Mattress System was designed to prevent, treat and heal ulcers. It can be adjusted for the patient’s preferred setting, such as the 10-minute interval that alternates between active and static mode.
How To Find Mattresses Covered By Medicare
Once your doctor has assessed you and says durable medical equipment is medically necessary, you can start looking for the right mattress.
While you might be needing a new mattress for one specific use, there are often lots of benefits to pressure reducing mattresses. Better sleep, increased comfort and pain relief are definite ways to improve your overall health and well-being.
There are lots of options available online that are approved by Medicare. You can research mattresses starting from Medicare’s website, an easy way to help find local stores that carry the bed you’re looking for. You’ll also need to read up on your Medicare coverage to see how much of the cost will be covered and how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Ultimately, doing your research can help you find the right mattress or bed that’s covered by Medicare and good for your health.
