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Many people have special needs that require something more than a regular bed. That’s when they should be given a hospital bed. People usually purchase hospital beds for home use for sick, aging, or disabled family members. They are called hospital beds because they have all the features of the beds found in a medical facility. Hospitals beds provide the same comfort right at home to those who need more than a traditional bed. The use of hospital beds has been on the rise because of the increasing number of disabled or aging people have been living at home and cared for by family members. This is done to avoid the cost of a professional caregiver or facility. Injured people also sometimes require hospital beds, especially in cases of a hip or leg fracture. Hospital beds are more expensive than a regular bed, the reason why many people choose to rent instead of buying one. But once you do not require the bed anymore, you can resell or donate it to someone who needs it. Rented hospital beds are best for those who need it for a short while. If you have a long-term requirement, purchasing a bed is more cost-effective. If you are planning to purchase a hospital bed, in this post, we help you choose the right one. Types of Hospital Beds The common feature of all hospital beds is adjustability. Based on this, a number of hospital bed types are available. Each has its own adjustment options and different features and price points. Here we discuss the most popular types of hospital beds available today. Fully-Electric Hospital Bed This type of hospital bed is completely powered electronically and usually comes with a remote. With the help of the remote control, the height of the entire bed or different parts of it can be adjusted. Most beds also have buttons on the size of the bed in case the remote doesn’t work. With the remote control, the patient themselves can adjust the bed. In case the caregivers do not want the patient to use the remote control to maneuver the bed, the remote can be stopped using, and only the buttons on the side of the bed can be used. The buttons are only accessible by someone outside of the bed. Operating a fully electric hospital bed is very easy and effortless and can be done by anyone. Since there is no effort required in maneuvering these beds, they have a higher price tag and happen to be some of the most expensive types of hospital beds. Semi-Electric Hospital Bed Many people prefer to have a manual option to operate the bed, besides a remote control or buttons. In this case, a semi-electric hospital bed works great. They work mostly like the fully electric versions but in addition have a hand crank for adjusting the height of the bed. The presence of both electric and manual options together is a plus and helps in case the electronic option fail to work for any reason. However, the manual options require more effort, and that explains the slightly lower price tag. But because they also have electronic features, they are not the cheapest. Manual hospital bed As the name suggests, this type of hospital beds do not have any electronic features and require to be manually adjusted. Although they are the cheapest available hospital beds today, they also require a lot of effort, and cannot be operated by someone who doesn’t have the physical strength. Low Hospital Bed This type of hospital beds is ideal for patients who have a risk of falling down from the bed or have mobility issues and want to be able to get in and out of bed more easily. They are completely adjustable, but their overall height is much lower than other hospital beds. They usually are designed to be within a foot of the floor. The height can only be adjusted within a much smaller range. There are no manual low hospital beds, and they are almost always fully electric. Bariatric Hospital Bed Going by the name of the bed, they are built to support heavyweight patients. They are also fully electric and require no manual effort to adjust the bed. The weight capacity of these beds is much greater than other hospital beds, and they also have a wider mattress area. Because they are larger, heavier, and sturdier, bariatric hospital beds are more expensive than other options and usually the last resort when a regular hospital bed cannot support the weight of the patient. Trendelenburg Hospital Bed These beds have become popular in recent years because of the adjustment options they offer. Whether the patient is paralyzed, has mobility issues, is injured, or in therapy, the Trendelenburg bed offers the highest number of adjustment options. Besides adjusting only the height and the foot of the bed, different parts of the bed can be individually adjusted to the maximum level. For instance, the foot can be inclined to the highest level to resemble a recliner chair, and also allow zero-gravity features with the head lower than the feet. When patients use these beds, there is no need for special pillows. However, the bed also requires a greater space and needs to be put in a larger room. Among hospital beds, the Trendelenburg beds have the maximum functionality, adjustability, and fully electric features, the reason why they are also the most expensive type of hospital bed. Are Hospital Beds Covered by Medicare? Hospital beds are included in medical supplies. Because they are highly expensive, most people rely on health or medical insurance to purchase a hospital bed. The question is: is a hospital bed covered by Medicare, the most popular type of medical insurance? Yes, Medicare does cover the purchase of hospital beds, only if you prove that you have a medical necessity that requires it. In addition, you have to be covered by Medicare Part B and also be assessed by your doctor, who must provide written documentation of your medical records and prescribe the bed for you. The supplier also has to receive the order before Medicare is billed. You qualify for a hospital bed if you: Cannot change positions on a normal bed Cannot sleep like a regular person on a normal bed Cannot sleep without the head of the bed higher than 30 degrees, because of medical conditions like breathing problems, congestive heart failure, etc. Need to use traction attached to a bed Have a completed, signed and dated Certificate of Medical Necessity by your doctor Best Hospital Beds When you’re in the market for purchasing a hospital bed, don’t be surprised if you’re flooded with options. To help make your task easier, we have narrowed down the top five hospital beds you can buy today. Invacare Full Electric Homecare Bed This is not only the bestselling hospital bed on Amazon but also one of the best fully electric ones you can buy today. The bed measures 88 inches by 36 inches, has a weight capacity of 450 pounds, comes with full or half clamp-on rails, and also has a 2-year warranty. Although it’s fully electric, there’s also a manual hand crank. The bed can accommodate a six-inch memory foam or innerspring mattress, and also includes a waterproof mattress cover for easy cleaning. The bed looks appealing and has a wood finish. Shop Invacare LUCID L300 Adjustable Bed Base The Lucid Adjustable bed is not a hospital bed, per se, but it can definitely be put to such use. The only thing missing is wheels and rails. If that isn’t an issue, then this bed measures 37.5 inches by 79.5 inches, has a 750 pounds weight capacity, as well as a 10-year warranty. Plus, it looks nothing like a hospital bed and comes in a few different sizes. Aside from being one of the cheapest adjustable beds, the Lucid bed also has a USB charging station on either side, a remote that also functions like a flashlight and the capability to set default positions. However, rails and mattresses need to be purchased separately. Shop Lucid Drive Medical Full Electric Ultra-Light Plus Hospital Bed This is a fully electric bed with full or half-rails, which measures 88 inches by 36 inches, with 450-pound weight capacity and a one-year warranty. The height of the bed lowers between up to four inches off the ground, and the remote and battery backup makes sure the bed remains fully functional even during a power outage. The bed mimics the look a traditional bed with scratch-resistant wood-grain panels and a tall headboard. The head and foot boards are removable. Shop Drive Medical Lumex Patriot Semi-Electric Homecare Bed This is a semi-electric bed that comes with both manual and electronic adjustment options. It measures 36 inches by 87 inches, has a 450-pound weight capacity and a 2-year warranty. On the downside the bed doesn’t have rails, so they have to be purchased separately. The bed can be adjusted within 15 and 24 inches, and the head and foot can be adjusted individually. The bed also has a 9-volt battery backup for emergency use during a power failure. Shop Lumex Patriot Drive Medical 15300BV-PKG Full Electric Bariatric Hospital Bed This is the best fully electric bariatric bed for heavier patients. It has a heavy-duty steel build and a wider surface of 42 inches, supporting patients of up to 600 pounds. The bed comes with a mattress, and one set of rails includes a remote as well as a hand crank. It is easy to install without the need for tools. The bed blends with home décor thanks to its wood grain finish.