Are home hospital beds covered by Medicare?

Medicare Part B covers hospital beds and other durable medical equipment for use at home. For Medicare to cover it, an item must be medically necessary, and a doctor must prescribe it. Also, a medical equipment provider officially approved by Medicare must be the supplier of the equipment.

Medicare covers as much as 80 percent of the approved rental amount. After meeting the yearly Part B deductible, the patient pays the remaining costs out of pocket or through a Medigap or other insurance policy. Medicare Part B is the part of the program that covers doctor bills and other outpatient costs.