When to Consider Buying A Hospital Bed for Home

Many considerations influence the decision to buy or rent a hospital bed for your house, ranging from the patient's and caregiver's safety to the patient's wish to maintain their independence, autonomy, and quality of life. There's also the issue of how to pay for a hospital bed at home. Here's what you should know.

When Should You Consider Purchasing a Hospital Bed?

The majority of people who rent or purchase a hospital bed for home use do so because they are caring for someone who has a temporary medical condition that necessitates the bed, or they are caring for someone who has dementia.

We recommend that a caregiver contemplating a hospital bed for home use ask the following questions:

1. Do you offer incontinence care or bathing services?
2. Is it necessary for the patient to sleep with their head or feet elevated?
3. Are you concerned about your own and the patient's safety when assisting them in and out of bed?
4. Are you prepared to sleep separately if you are the patient's partner and have been sleeping in the same bed up to this point?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, it's time to look into a hospital bed with motorized lift help.

Hospital Beds Aid in Home Care

A hospital bed at home is beneficial not only to the person sleeping in it, but it can also protect caretakers from musculoskeletal injuries.

Workers in health care industries are more likely to experience musculoskeletal injuries than workers in practically any other industry, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.

Selecting the Best Hospital Bed

All hospital beds support the patient in postures that a conventional bed cannot. The primary distinction between hospital bed types is how such positioning is accomplished.

These beds, also known as completely electric beds, use electrical controls to raise and decrease the head, foot, and bed height. They are also the most expensive, with prices reaching $40,000 in some cases.

Semi-Electric Mattresses

These beds employ electrical controls to raise and lower the head and foot of the bed, but the height of the bed is adjusted manually. They are usually approximately $1,000.

Beds with Manual Operation

A hand crank is used to raise and lower the bed's head, foot, and height. They are typically the most affordable option, with some selling for less than $1,000.

Beds in a Bariatric Hospital

A standard hospital bed has a weight limit of 400 to 600 pounds. Bariatric beds are intended for persons whose weight exceeds the weight limit of a conventional hospital bed. They can often support 600 to 1,000 pounds. These beds are longer and wider, and they are more expensive than conventional hospital beds.

Taking Height and Width into Consideration

Most hospital beds are heavier and bigger than conventional beds. In the meanwhile, some can be changed to be taller or lower than standard beds.

How to Buy a Hospital Bed

Hospital beds, both new and secondhand, can be purchased directly from online and brick-and-mortar businesses. Some refurbished bed vendors provide warranties, and new beds are likely to have warranties ranging from one to three years.

Is it better to rent or buy?

The decision to rent or buy is based on personal desire, budget, and the patient's condition. If their condition is predicted to improve within a certain time frame, renting a bed for temporary use may make sense.

Is it possible for insurance to cover hospital beds?

Hospital beds are classified as durable medical equipment by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (DME).

CMS, as the name implies, is in charge of the administration of the two types of public health insurance available in the United States: Medicare and Medicaid. 

According to Medicare's DME coverage guidelines, the patient's physician must document the patient's condition and the rationale for the patient's requirement for a hospital bed. 

Additional documentation may be necessary if a semi-electric or completely electric bed is ordered.

The following conditions often qualify someone for insurance coverage for a hospital bed at home:

• Arthritis is severe.
• An injury to the foot or leg
• An injury to the neurological system, such as a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury
• Paralysis of some kind, such as quadriplegia or paraplegia
• A heart problem that makes it risky for the patient to strain to get in and out of bed.

Hospital Beds - Additional Costs to Consider

Aside from the hospital bed itself, there are a few more components and accessories to consider when calculating the total cost.

Mattress

The sort of mattress used on a hospital bed is an important consideration. CMS classifies support systems into three categories.

Sheets

While most regular twin-sized sheets will fit most hospital beds, "slide sheets" can lessen friction produced by shifting or rotating the patient in bed.

Hospital Bed Table 

Hospital bed tables common to hospital rooms, known as overbed tables, are widely available in retail stores and online. Many options cost less than $100.

Rails and Trapeze

Trapeze bars, rails and other assistive devices are best prescribed by an occupational or physical therapist. These products can be helpful as long as their uses are tailored to a person’s condition and needs.

Wondering where to buy a hospital bed in San Diego? Harmony Home Medical Supplies is your go-to home medical equipment distributor.

We boast the experience and knowledge to excellently address the unique needs of our customers. We offer supply hospital beds with excellent workmanship and features geared to offer our clients quality, long-lasting service.

Turn to us for affordable, durable, reliable hospital beds, accompanied by a friendly environment and unsurpassed customer services.