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My 94 year old Mom has fallen out of bed a few times, maybe 4, in the last few months. Of course, it's always in the middle of the night and I'm afraid that one day I won't be able to get her up. I know you can call 911 but we live in a rural area that only has a volunteer ambulance and I feel too guilty about bothering them for this. Is there a way to get a hospital bed through Medicare without being a Hospice patient?

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Talk to one of her physicians, an orthopaedic one if she has one. They can script for a hospital bed. Medicare paid for my father's; at the time the rule was that after a certain period of time he could elect to keep it as his own, but he wouldn't be able to get another one in the future.

You could also try loan closets of senior centers in your community.

But even if the EMS is volunteer based and your mother falls, remember that they have the training to tell if someone may have a fracture, and know how to transfer and transport her properly. That's an important factor if someone is falling.
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Thanks for the advice. She's not seeing an ortho right now but I think our local Dr. could do it. He's also a hospice M.D.
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Get her MD to write an order for it. Her insurance (either medicare or Medicaid) will pay to rent it or buy it. If you live in southeastern Ky there is ministry in Jackson County that has tons of free medical equipment in excellent condition which people have donated after their loved ones have passed away. You could also post a request through facebook if you have a page or ask a friend or grandchild to post it for you. Beds are super heavy so make sure if one is given to you someone can help you set it up and make sure it works well before accepting it.
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We have a hospital bed for mom. She's not in hospice. Medicare pays for it. We paid an additional $400 so that it could be raised and lowered electrically rather than with a hand crank. I wouldn't have done that if I'd realized how little I'd use that feature. Her doctor scripted it. The company we got it from brought it and set it up. It's so much easier and safer. (Oh, be sure to get the bed rails.) By raising the head and feet, there's no way she could get out of bed even if she tried.
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To Maggie Marshall Where did you get your hospital bed. I have a script for my mom but not sure where to go.
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Maggie hasn't posted for a while. Can you not ask the doctor's office for the names of local companies?
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Since this is in old message I assume you've already found an answer to your question, but for others who may come here: Go to Medicare.gov & search in top right box for the link for DME suppliers. It will allow you to search for suppliers in your area. Just make sure to call the supplier first to make sure they are still enrolled in Medicare & "accepting assignment" otherwise you may get stuck with the full cost.
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