Tips to Get a Bed That Is Just Right

If you are elderly, disabled, or have a long-term illness, you should have a bed that suits all of your needs. This is especially true if you are confined to your bed for prolonged periods of time. If you need a new bed, discover some helpful tips to get a bed that is just right.

See Your Doctor

Before you get your bed, the first thing you should do is contact your doctor. Your doctor can help you determine if the bed is medically necessary. They will write a prescription for a bed and send the necessary documentation to your health insurance.

Contact Your Health Insurance Company
If the bed is deemed medically necessary, most health insurance plans will often cover the bed as durable medical equipment. Your bed will be considered medically necessary if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You have a condition that requires you to position your body in ways that an ordinary bed cannot.
• Your condition requires the bed to have special attachments, such as traction equipment.
• You have a condition that requires your head to be elevated more than 30 degrees.

When a bed is considered medically necessary, the insurance company will also consider the mattress to be medically necessary as well.

Choose the Type of Bed

Note that insurance companies only covers certain beds. You won’t be able to choose just any bed and have them cover the cost. However, when you meet certain criteria, your insurance company will cover the exact type of bed that you need.

For example, if you need to change your position frequently while in bed, your insurance company will usually cover a full-electric bed.

Learn about some different kinds of beds from which to choose:

• Manual. This bed stays at a fixed height but has manual head and leg elevation.
• Semi-electric. The height of this bed is adjusted manually but the head and leg elevate electrically.
• Full-electric. The height, head, and leg are adjusted electrically.
• Low. The frame of this bed can be adjusted so that it’s very low to the floor.
• Bariatric. This bed is wider and supports more weight than typical beds.

Select the Right Bed Accessories
Once you have selected the bed that is just right for you, you can select the necessary bed accessories. Fitted sheets, mattress covers, safety rails, overbed tables, protective padding, and bedside commodes are some of the most common bed accessories.

You might also find some of these bed accessories helpful to have:

• Ceiling lift. This accessory makes it easy to transfer those who are non-ambulatory.
• Trapeze bars. These help those who are able-bodied to reposition themselves without assistance.
• Bed alarm. This allows the person in bed to alert someone if they need help.

Contact a Home Medical Equipment Supplier
If you live in Minnesota and are ready to get a new bed, contact Corner Home Medical. We will help you find the bed that is just right for you. We can also assist with purchasing all of the bed accessories that you need. Our family owned and operated company takes pride in serving our customers with all their medical equipment needs.