Hospital beds are specialty beds designed to care for a person who is ill or immobile. These specialty beds allow the user to adjust the position of their head and feet to improve the patient’s circulation and overall comfort.
If you, your patient, or your family member must remain in bed for long periods, a homecare hospital bed may be a great option for you.
Whether you’re buying or renting a hospital bed, you’ll likely have more than a few questions about this process. Does insurance cover it? Should you rent one or buy one? What kind of hospital bed should you get? We’re here to answer those questions and more so you can confidently buy or rent your hospital bed. This article will explain everything you need to know about getting a homecare hospital bed. Read on for our guide on how to get a hospital bed in your home.
When patients and their families initially hear “homecare hospital bed”, they often picture bulky equipment that will fill a room. However, that’s no longer the case. Homecare hospital beds have now become sleek and efficient, made to mimic a normal bed. And despite their slim build, they still boast exceptional features that can help with mobility and comfort.
A standard bed is not built to handle mobility issues that patients may face. This means that independence is hindered and elderly patients may struggle to move on their own. It may also make assistance more difficult for caregivers as the bed does not move and bed with them.
If you’re in need of a new bed that can improve mobility and bring back that sense of freedom, a homecare hospital bed may be the ideal choice. This style of bed is often also recommended by doctors after an extended hospital stay or an incident that prohibits full movement.
More often than not, patients must receive a prescription or recommendation from their doctor to qualify for a hospital bed. If you believe that a homecare hospital bed is the best route for you, it’s time to consult your doctor. They can determine whether the bed is necessary and what type of bed will be the best fit. We’ll touch more on the different types of hospital beds later on.
Before you purchase or rent a hospital bed, you need to understand the cost you’ll be taking on. Either route you choose will be a costly endeavor. Keep in mind, however, that this cost will be well worth the benefits.
Purchasing a hospital bed will cost more upfront but may be a better option in the long-term. You should expect to pay a few thousand dollars for your hospital bed if buying is the route you choose. The specific price may vary depending on the type of bed and features offered. Though expensive, a patient who will be using a hospital bed for years to come may prefer to own the bed.
For those in need of this equipment in the short term, renting a hospital bed may be the better route. In this situation, you’ll have the option to return the bed once you no longer need it. Those choosing to rent a hospital bed should prepare to pay a few hundred dollars each month.
Though the cost of buying or renting a hospital bed may seem overwhelming, there are plenty of options available that can help you finance this equipment. Read on to find out whether insurance is a viable payment method for you.
If you are wondering how to get a hospital bed at home then you're probably also wondering if Medicare covers hospital beds? If so, we have good news. Medicare does cover hospital beds as long as you meet certain requirements.
Here are the basic requirements to get insurance coverage on your bed:
Your doctor will know if there are any other criteria needed for you to qualify for a hospital bed. Be sure to talk to him/her for more information about insurance requirements.
Should you rent or buy your hospital bed? There are benefits to doing both, and you must personally decide which is best for your situation.
For instance, renting a hospital bed requires you to make regular monthly payments. If your bed needs maintenance, the rental company will pay for it.
Keep in mind, though, that renting can be more expensive in the long run. If you plan to use a hospital bed for a short period, renting is a good choice. However, buying a hospital bed is a better option if you plan to use the bed for years to come.
Buying a hospital bed has many benefits. For instance, you have complete ownership of it, which means you can issue upgrades or purchase additional parts that might not be available for rental beds. Additionally, you have the opportunity to gain equity.
Buying a bed will ultimately cost you more money upfront. Moreover, if the bed requires repairs or maintenance, you will need to pay for that yourself. At the same time, there are many affordable options for purchasing hospital beds.
There are different kinds of hospital beds, each with different price points and different uses. These are the main types of homecare hospital beds you can choose from.
Electric beds typically have two to four motors that independently raise or lower different sections of the bed. To operate the bed, you plug it into the wall and use the hand controller to adjust it.
An electric bed is ideal for patients who need frequent adjustments. The easy-to-use lever allows a patient to move themselves if possible or reduces strain on a caregiver. It can adjust to accommodate a variety of position needs, such as for optimal sleep or circulation.
Recommended Electric Hospital Bed: Primecare Expandable Hi-Lo Bed
Manual beds use hand cranks to adjust the bed. While these can be affordable options, they may be difficult for a patient to operate by his/herself, especially if s/he has limited mobility. The operator must have sufficient arm and shoulder strength to turn the cranks. For this reason, a manual hospital bed may be the best option for individuals who do not need frequent adjustments.
Recommended Manual Hospital Bed: Drive Medical Ultra Light
Adjustable beds have all the features of a typical long-term hospital bed. However, adjustable beds have the benefit of using standard mattress widths. In other words, you can choose between different sizes, including twin, queen, and king-sized beds.
Patients who need to use a hospital bed over a longer span of time may want to place this option at the top of their list. This will allow for easy movement and comfortability no matter how long you need your bed.
Recommended Adjustable Hospital Bed: MedLift Sleep Ezz Standard
Some beds are not built with long-lasting durability. This means that patients who need their hospital bed for a few years may want to look into another option. Long-Term homecare beds are high-quality beds and are made with permanence in mind. These long-lasting beds are ideal for patients who need to use a hospital bed for many years. Many of these beds also have full head, foot, and height adjustments.
Recommended Long-Term Hospital Bed: Alterra Maxx Long Term Care Bed
Also known as heavy-duty beds, Bariatric beds come equipped with an extra-wide frame and a higher weight capacity. Most of these beds are electric and come with heavy-duty motors. Most of these beds can support up to 700 pounds. However, some can support up to 1,000 pounds. These beds are ideal for patients who do not feel fully comfortable in a standard size bed.
Recommended Bariatric Hospital Bed: Drive Medical Full Electric - 1,000 lb.
Wondering where to buy or rent a hospital bed for home use? Look no further! Amica Medical Supply is the largest online Authorized Dealer or Distributor for all top brand medical supplies. In other words, they have the largest selection of products at the lowest available prices.
If you would like to rent or buy a homecare hospital bed, Amica is your go-to! Not only do they have free shipping on their hospital beds, but they also have great customer service and safe, secure ordering.
No matter what size hospital bed you need, Amica will have the perfect product for you. To learn more about their products, contact them today!