Does TRICARE cover a hospital bed?
Yes, when a doctor prescribes it as medically necessary. Here is how it works.
Does TRICARE cover a hospital bed?
Yes, when a doctor prescribes it and it's medically necessary. TRICARE says it covers durable medical equipment "when prescribed by a physician," and TriWest, the West's TRICARE contractor, decides whether the bed is rented or bought. A "safety bed" is different: TRICARE doesn't cover those.
TRICARE doesn't have a separate page for hospital beds. A home hospital bed falls under its rules for durable medical equipment, and those rules are clear.
Steps
- Talk with the doctor. The doctor decides whether a hospital bed is medically necessary, which kind (semi-electric or full-electric) and which mattress.
- Get the prescription. TRICARE covers durable medical equipment when a physician prescribes it. The order should name the bed and the reason it's needed.
- Ask your military clinic first. If you're enrolled at a military hospital or clinic, ask them first. TRICARE doesn't cover equipment you can get from your military hospital or clinic.
- Approval from TriWest. In the West, TriWest reviews equipment before it's approved. Intake helps you gather what's needed.
- Rented or bought. TriWest decides whether the bed is rented or bought, based on which is more economical and appropriate.
- Extra features. Features that only add cost aren't covered. You may be able to pay the extra cost for them yourself.
- Plan the room. Before delivery, choose the room and measure the doorways. The hospital bed setup guide walks you through it.
Checklist
- Doctor agrees a hospital bed is needed
- Prescription names the bed and the reason
- Asked our military clinic first (if enrolled at one)
- TRICARE plan type known
- Room chosen and doorways measured
- Called intake or sent a request
If you have TRICARE For Life, Medicare's rules for equipment come first. The TRICARE For Life guide explains what that means.
In TRICARE's words
TRICARE covers durable medical equipment when prescribed by a physician.
DME may be rented or purchased. However, your regional contractor will decide if the DME should be rented or purchased based on whether it’s more economical and appropriate.
TRICARE doesn’t cover certain non-medical equipment like bath rails or safety beds, but they may be covered by Medicare.
Q&A: How TRICARE covers durable medical equipment — TRICARE Newsroom
Equipment in this guide
Follow the instructions from your doctor and the equipment maker.