Medicare Part B and Adjustable Beds: Eligibility, Coverage and How to Apply

Medicare for seniors includes help with an adjustable bed, but only through Medicare Part B, and only for a hospital-type bed that a doctor orders for a medical need.

Getting it covered starts with confirming your Part B eligibility. Then you need to know what Part B coverage includes, how to check your Medicare status, and how to apply for a Medicare-covered adjustable bed with the right paperwork. This guide walks through each step and explains where to get free Medicare help if you get stuck.

The rules work the same at 65 or 70, and they work the same whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. What differs is how you enrolled, what you'll pay, and who you'll call.

Medicare Part B Eligibility: Who Qualifies

Medicare has four parts. Part A is hospital insurance. Part B is medical insurance, and it's the part that covers doctor visits, outpatient care and durable medical equipment (DME) such as hospital beds. Part C, Medicare Advantage, is a private plan that bundles A and B. Part D covers prescription drugs. To get equipment covered, Part B enrollment is what matters.

You're generally eligible for Part B if you're 65 or older and a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident who has lived here for at least five years in a row. You can also qualify before 65 after receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, or sooner if you have ALS or end-stage renal disease.

Most people sign up during their Initial Enrollment Period, the seven months around their 65th birthday. If you missed it, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 each year. Coverage then starts the month after you enroll.

Medicare at 70: What Changes and What Doesn't

Turning 70 doesn't change your Medicare eligibility or what Part B covers. If you're 70 and already have Parts A and B, you're eligible for equipment coverage today. What remains is showing medical need and choosing the right supplier.

If you're 70 and delayed Part B because you were still working, you can usually enroll without a penalty during a Special Enrollment Period. That window lasts up to eight months after your job-based coverage, or your spouse's, ends. If you went without both Part B and qualifying job-based coverage, a late enrollment penalty may be added to your Part B premium. It's 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn't.

How to Do a Medicare Eligibility Check

Before you start the paperwork for a bed, confirm what you're enrolled in. A quick Medicare eligibility check takes a few minutes:

Look at your red, white and blue Medicare card. It shows "Hospital (Part A)" and "Medical (Part B)" with the date each one started. If Part B isn't listed, you don't have it yet.
Log in to your online Medicare account to see your current coverage, any Medicare Advantage or drug plan you're in, and recent claims.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you don't have your card or online access.
If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, also call the member services number on your plan card. The plan may have its own rules for equipment.

What Medicare Part B Coverage Includes for Adjustable Beds

Part B covers hospital beds as DME when your doctor prescribes one for use in your home. These are beds whose head and foot sections can be raised to positions an ordinary bed can't reach, which is what most people mean by an adjustable bed. Coverage commonly applies when your doctor documents that:

you need positioning that an ordinary bed can't provide because of a condition expected to last at least a month;
you need your head raised more than 30 degrees most of the time, for example because of heart failure, COPD or a risk of aspiration; or
you need traction or other attachments that only a hospital bed can hold.

A powered (semi-electric) head and foot can be covered when your records show you need to change position often or right away. A bed bought only for comfort or better sleep isn't covered, even if it has similar features. For more detail, see our guide to Medicare coverage for hospital beds and our overview of Medicare coverage for durable medical equipment.

Applying for a Medicare-Covered Adjustable Bed

Once you've confirmed your Part B eligibility, the application runs through your doctor and a Medicare-enrolled supplier. You don't file a separate form with Medicare.

See your doctor in person. Describe your positioning, breathing or mobility needs specifically. For example, explain whether you sleep sitting up, have trouble breathing when lying flat, or need help changing position.
Get a written order. It should name the bed, your diagnosis and why each feature you need is medically necessary. A diagnosis alone isn't enough; the notes need to connect your condition to the bed.
Choose a Medicare-enrolled supplier that accepts assignment. Assignment means the supplier agrees to the Medicare-approved amount, so your share stays at 20%.
If you have Medicare Advantage, ask the plan about prior authorization and in-network suppliers before the supplier submits anything.
Keep copies of the order, the supplier's written estimate and any approval or denial notices.

If you need the bed soon, for example after a hospital stay, ask your doctor's office to send the order directly to the supplier. That's usually faster than carrying paperwork between them yourself.

What You Pay With Part A and B

Most home hospital beds are rented under Part B as capped rental items. After 13 months of continuous use, ownership usually transfers to you. Once you've met the annual Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount each month and Medicare pays 80%.

If you have Parts A and B and wonder what else you need, the answer for equipment is a way to cover that 20%. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy can pay some or all of the Part B coinsurance. A Medicare Advantage plan instead sets its own copays and supplier network. Our comparison of Medigap and Medicare Advantage for 2027 explains how each handles equipment costs. Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, so that's when Advantage plan changes can be made.

Free Medicare Help for Seniors

You don't have to work through Medicare on your own. Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help for seniors and caregivers. They can confirm your enrollment, explain your coverage options and help you appeal a denied equipment claim. If a claim is denied, read the reason on your Medicare Summary Notice, ask your doctor to fill any documentation gaps, and file an appeal by the deadline shown on the notice.

Many people who need a bed also need help getting in and out of a chair. Medicare treats that equipment separately; see our look at Medicare coverage for power lift chairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both Part A and Part B to get an adjustable bed covered?

Part B is the part that covers home equipment. Most people have both, but Part B enrollment is the requirement.

Is the process different if I'm over 70?

No. Eligibility and coverage rules are the same at any age once you're enrolled in Part B. Only enrollment timing and penalties depend on when you signed up.

Does Medicare Advantage cover adjustable hospital beds?

Yes. Advantage plans must cover at least what Original Medicare covers, but they may require prior approval and use of in-network suppliers.

How long does approval take?

It depends mostly on how complete the doctor's order is and whether your plan requires prior authorization. A complete order sent directly to an enrolled supplier is the fastest route.