Hospital Beds

What Does Medical Necessity For Hospital Beds Mean?

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What Does Medical Necessity For Hospital Beds Mean? Medical services prescribed by a physician often require in-home care equipment. In such cases, equipment like an adjustable hospital bed can be a “medical necessity” to the patient’s insurer. What does this mean, and how might medical necessity impact how you receive a hospital bed?

Learn About Medical Necessity For A Hospital Bed

What Is Medical Necessity Anyways?

Medical necessity is a term used by health insurance companies to describe coverage offered under a benefit plan. In the policy and benefits summary, the language that informs a person about what their insurance plan will cover generally describes the benefits as “when medically necessary.” In such cases, insurance will pay a portion or all of any services that meet their definition.

There isn’t one overarching definition of “medical necessity” that covers every insurance plan, though. Private health insurance plans will include what they deem to be “medical necessity” or “medically necessary services.”

Letters Of Medical Necessity For Hospital Beds

To meet the terms of medical necessity, the hospital bed must also meet some criteria. The label applies to a type of bed that can adjust to the particular medical needs of the user. A fully-electric model, such as those in the SonderCare line, will use a remote control to adjust the bed’s functions, including the head and foot angles and the overall height of the bed.

An LMN verifies the services or items you are purchasing are for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of a disease or medical condition. It’s a formal argument that functions as a legal document to prove your medical needs. It includes:

The patient’s name, date of birth, insurance policy number, group number
The name of the treating physician and relationship to the patient
The date of the recent evaluation and diagnosis
Recommended treatment and duration
Relevant medical history
Why the device is medically necessary

Some supplementary information could be doctor’s notes and supporting information that could determine if the patient needs accessories, too. If you’re a customer in the United States, the IRS will need this document for certain eligible expenses.

When Do Hospital Beds Become Medically Necessary?

Whether it’s for the safety of the patient and caregiver or wanting to help a senior maintain their independence, autonomy and quality of life, a hospital bed can be an at-home necessity. Those with arthritis, injuries to the lower part of their body, amputations, spinal cord injuries, or a history of strokes may need high-low features to get in and out of their bed.

It’s not only issues with mobility, though. Severe cardiovascular illnesses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may force patients to change their position in ways that wouldn’t be possible or comfortable in an ordinary bed. If the doctor has considered it necessary, patients may need the head of the bed to elevate more than 30 degrees.

However, for many diagnoses, a medical bed in the home or care facility is more than just a place for rest for the patient – it’s necessary for their independence. A hospital bed’s rails can be adjusted to various heights, providing stable and secure locations for patients to use to get themselves out of bed and continue their routines without professional assistance.

Even though a specialized residential care bed can be essential for mobility and health goals, users shouldn’t settle on a model that looks like it belongs in a hospital. A SonderCare luxury hospital bed will look right at home in any setting – allowing a patient to rest easy and feel comfortable on what looks and feels like a premium residential bed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Necessity For Hospital Beds

Is a hospital bed a medical device?

Hospital beds include a wide range of medical instruments that are categorized as beds. Hospital beds are classified as Class I and Class II devices by the FDA. These devices are utilized in acute care, long-term care, and home care settings for patients.

How do you push a hospital bed?

“Medically Necessary” or “Medical Necessity” focuses on health treatments that a physician would supply to a patient based on sound clinical judgement. The activity must be used to evaluate, diagnose, or treat an ailment, injury, disease, or its symptoms.

Start Your Hospital Beds Inventory With SonderCare

Are you recently discharged from hospital, experiencing mobility issues, or in need of palliative or senior care? Enjoy a smoother recovery and get the luxury you deserve by choosing our home hospital products. Contact us today to discuss home hospital beds, mattresses, stand assist chairs and other accessories to make your home hospice perfect for a truly comfortable experience.

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