Is A Hospital Bed Considered Medical Equipment?

20 Feb.,2024

 

Across North America, public and private insurance policies classify them as “durable medical equipment” (DME). It’s a classification that includes commode chairs, crutches, oxygen equipment, and walkers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also classifies hospital beds as Class I and II devices. These devices are for patients in need of acute, long-term, or in-home care. 

So long as a health care provider certifies that a person needs the bed for use in their home,  some plans will cover the costs. Many common medical conditions include:

  • bone and joint conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis

  • heart conditions that require the patient to keep the head, heart, or limbs elevated

  • spinal cord conditions or injuries

  • neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s

  • mobility or medical condition that requires a patient to take on new positions to relieve pain or pressure

Regardless of the condition, these care beds can be necessary for independence. For example, the assist rails – which the user or medical staff can adjust to various heights – provide support when the patient wants to get in or out of bed without professional assistance. It’s not the only feature separating hospital beds from conventional options, though. 

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