Medicare coverage is confusing, especially when you try to figure out Medicare supplements, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage. But, what’s interesting is that Medicare may actually cover the cost of your mattress, which means you would only have to pay a small cost of it. When prescribed by a doctor, Medicare Part B covers Durable Medicare Equipment, which includes beds and mattresses. The particular bed and mattress also have to qualify for coverage.
Durable Medical Equipment
Medicare covers supplies and equipment that’s medically necessary which can include equipment for home use. There are two types of equipment for home use: disposable medical supplies and Durable Medical Equipment (DME). Disposable medical supplies are those used to manage a condition and DMEs are equipment that lasts and can be used over time in the home.
The cost of equipment is covered by Medicare by the supplier agreeing to the assignment, which means you’ll pay around 20% of the Medicare-approved amount and Part B deductibles will cover the rest.
It’s important to note that Medicare will only cover the cost of the DME supplier and your doctor are enrolled in Medicare. The DME must also be prescribed by a medical professional.
Medicare Coverage for Mattresses and Beds
Not many of the mattresses and beds meet the requirements to be covered under Medicare. But, there are some mattresses, beds, and sleep accessories that are covered by Medicare that are considered to be DEMs.
These include pressure-reducing beds, pressure-reducing mattresses, and pressure-reducing mattress overlays. How much Medicare will cover, depends on the details of your Medicare plan, your diagnosis, and the doctor’s prescription. You may have to buy or rent the equipment from a subscriber enrolled with Medicare, depending on your needs.
