Health insurance can be confusing, but taking the time to learn about it could save you a lot of money. There are some really helpful things you can qualify for depending on your healthcare plan, especially if you’re a Medicare subscriber. 

Your health coverage might be able to cover the cost of your next mattress —  but you can’t just walk into any furniture store and send Medicare the receipt later. If you’re a Medicare subscriber and want to know if you qualify for a new bed, here’s what you need to know.

Your Mattress Must Qualify As Durable Medical Equipment

Medicare has certain guidelines that must be met if you want the program to cover the cost of your mattress. The most important thing to know is that the mattress needs to qualify as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). 

Durable medical equipment is equipment used to help patients function in their everyday lives. These items are deemed medically necessary by your doctors and can include things like wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen equipment and more.

Not everyone qualifies for DME, and it can only be prescribed by your doctor. Along with a prescription, here are the five mandatory criteria that needs to be met for Medicare coverage:

• It must be used for medical purposes
• It needs to be durable and meant for repeated use
• It is not useful to someone who isn’t sick or injured
• You can use it at home
• The item’s general life expectancy should be at least three years

Medicare will cover up to 80 percent of the durable medical equipment after your claim is approved. Mattresses do fall under this category, but only if the patient purchases a certain type approved by Medicare.

Only Certain Beds Qualify For Medicare Coverage

Not all mattresses qualify as durable medical equipment. They must serve a medical purpose and help you function for your daily lifestyle. It’s important to understand which ones will be covered before spending money on just any mattress you find suitable. 

The three types of beds and bed-related equipment covered by Medicare are:

1. Pressure-reducing beds
2. Pressure-reducing mattresses
3. Pressure-reducing overlays

To save money, purchase your mattress through a Medicare supplier. You can find these suppliers by looking online and finding Medicare-approved sellers in your area. There are a lot of options to choose from, so narrow down your search and only look into ones that qualify for Medicare coverage. 

This kind of DME can be really expensive, but most Medicare patients do have a chance to save a lot of money. Medicare will typically cover up to 80 percent of the mattress cost. This leaves subscribers left with only 20 percent of the cost to pay out of pocket. 

The costs for mattresses can vary depending on your health plan, so talk to an expert before spending money to ensure you know what you qualify for.

The Best Pressure Relief Mattresses

Once you’re approved by your doctor and qualify for Medicare coverage, it’s time to start searching for the right mattress. Luckily, they aren’t too hard to find.

Here are five top mattresses you should consider.

1. Solace Resolution Glissando Heavy Duty Mattress
To prevent ulcers from forming, the Solace Resolution Glissando Heavy Duty Mattress uses two layers of high-density foam. This reduces friction and redistributes pressure for best comfort.

2. Joerns PrevaMatt Defend Pressure Relief Mattress
The Joerns PrevaMatt Defend Pressure Relief Mattress aims to impress not only with its comfort and pressure relief functionalities, but with what’s used to make it. This mattress is composed of sustainable and plant-based materials that increase the quality and lowers the amount of chemicals used.

3. Drive Medical Therapeutic 5 Zone Support Mattress
You can use the Drive Medical Therapeutic Mattress to target five different pressure zones. It’s made for optimal support and comfort, and its latex-free build helps prevent friction.

4. ThevoRelief Pressure Relief Mattress
To help manage body aches and pain, the ThevoRelief Pressure Relief Mattress stimulates the nerve tracts and provides back support. This will also help to improve your sleep.

5. Drive Medical Alternating Pressure Low Air Loss Mattress System
This mattress was designed to prevent, treat and heal ulcers by reducing friction. There are different settings to meet a person’s comfort level. For example, you can choose to use a 10-minute interval that alternates between active and static mode.

How To Find a Medicare Approved Mattress

You must be given a prescription for durable medical equipment, so talk to your doctor and see if you qualify. 

There are a lot of benefits to buying a pressure reducing bed. They can improve your sleep, reduce pain and provide extra comfort compared to a normal mattress. Before buying a mattress, read up on your Medicare coverage and see how much of the cost will be covered. You could end up saving a lot of money depending on your health plan. 

There are lots of online retailers that specialize in selling durable medical equipment. With so many options available, you’ll have to research which one will be the best for you and your health.