OTHER IMPORTANT DEVICES

Life is a constant succession of challenges. And those challenges seem to triple when you are handicapped. But the universal advice to confront life's challenges is the same for able and disables:  SMILE!!!

So, since I could not go to the pool to do my aquatic exercises I would like to at least get a good night sleep.

I was now in year 18 of dealing with Muscular Dystrophy.  My muscles were losing power by the day (or so it seemed to me) I was finding it very difficult to turn myself one way or the other while in bed. Not being able to change position is hard at any time but at night, the darkness and the quietness made it terrifying. I began to have very bad nights; I couldn't find sleep or even worse, in the little periods when I went to sleep I would have nightmares which made me wake up screaming. This very difficult situation made me think that I needed a special bed. Someone told me Medicare would give handicapped people a hospital bed so I started researching that idea.

I found out that if you are a Medicare beneficiary enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) your Part B benefits may cover 80% of the allowable charges for hospital beds after you meet your Part B deductible. YOUR doctor, as well as the durable medical equipment (DME) supplier must participate in the Medicare program.

Getting Medicare to cover a hospital bed at home is not a process you get done in one day. First, prior to being issue with a prescription for the hospital bed the patient will have to be submitted to a face to face evaluation with a physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician. During this encounter, the physician or practitioner must document in the patient’s medical record: 1- A needs assessment for the patient; 2- The benefit to the patient in having a hospital bed; or how the bed would treat the patient for their medical condition that supports the need for the hospital bed; and 3- The patient’s diagnosis and/or medical condition.

The evaluation documented in the medical record must be signed by the physician, regardless of who actually performed the face to face evaluation.

Also, Medicare does not pay for full-electric hospital beds under any circumstance.  The requirements are that the patient’s medical condition demand body positioning not possible in an ordinary bed due to any of the following: Alleviating pain; Needing their head to be elevated more than 30 degrees due to CHF/chronic pulmonary disease and /or aspiration; Requiring traction equipment that can only be attached to a hospital bed; The patient requires frequent and/or immediate changes in body position.

In order to expedite the process it is imperative for the patient or family to find a reliable supplier. Working with an experienced supplier of durable medical equipment (DME), who is well aware and knows the Guide to Medicare Coverage will increase your chances of getting coverage in a timely manner.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that the patient that is going to use the bed pays a lot of attention when choosing the kind of mattress to be selected.

ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE TO READ

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospital-beds

https://medicare.com/coverage/medicare-cover-hospital-beds/

https://dmeevalumate.com/CMS

LOOKING BACK

The hospital bed that Medicare gave me was a great help for me. The mattress on the other hand was too thin, hot and uncomfortable.