Pressure-reducing support surfaces
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
covers pressure-reducing support surfaces
durable medical equipment (DME)
that your doctor or other health care provider prescribes for use in your home
Description
Pressure-reducing support surfaces include certain beds (like air-fluidized beds), mattresses, and mattress overlays that prevent or treat pressure sores or ulcers.
Coverage details
You’ll have to get prior approval for certain types of pressure-reducing support services (like powered air flotation beds).
If you live in certain states, you may have to get prior approval for 5 types of pressure-reducing support surfaces.
Medicare covers different kinds of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) in different ways. Depending on the type of equipment:
- You may need to rent the equipment.
- You may need to buy the equipment.
- You may be able to choose whether to rent or buy the equipment.
- Some items become your property after you’ve made a certain number of rental payments.
Provider requirements
Make sure your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. It’s also important to ask a supplier if they participate in Medicare before you get DME.
Costs
After you meet the Part B deductible you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount (if your supplier accepts assignment ).
If suppliers are participating in Medicare, they must accept assignment (which means, they can charge you only the coinsurance and Part B deductible for the Medicare approved amount). If suppliers aren’t participating and don’t accept assignment, you may have to pay for the full cost of the DME.