A hospital bed doesn’t have to cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Depending on your situation, you may be able to get one free, or for a small monthly share. Here are the real options, in the order most families should check them.
Free and low-cost options at a glance
| Option | Who it’s for | What you might pay | How to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare hospice benefit | People in hospice care under Medicare | Nothing for covered hospice care | Ask the hospice team |
| Medicaid | People with Medicaid coverage | Usually little or nothing; varies by state | Practitioner’s order; ask your state Medicaid agency or plan |
| VA health care | Enrolled veterans with a clinical need | Usually nothing | Ask the VA care team |
| Original Medicare | People who meet Medicare’s criteria | Deductible plus 20%; Medicaid or Medigap may pay this | Practitioner’s order; Medicare-enrolled supplier |
| State assistive technology program | Anyone in the state, typically | Free short-term loans or low-cost reused equipment | Contact your state AT program |
| Loan closets | Anyone, typically | Free or a small fee or donation | Ask your area agency on aging |
| Hospital or home health discharge planner | People leaving the hospital | Depends on coverage | Ask before discharge |
1. Hospice: equipment comes with the benefit
If the person has elected the Medicare hospice benefit, the hospice provides medical equipment related to the terminal illness and related conditions. Medicare says you pay nothing for hospice care from a Medicare-approved hospice provider (Medicare.gov), and its hospice booklet lists medical equipment among the covered services (Medicare Hospice Benefits). Ask the hospice team rather than ordering a bed separately. Our hospice bed guide explains what to expect.
2. Medicaid
Medicaid covers medical supplies, equipment, and appliances as part of home health services. Federal rules say state Medicaid coverage of equipment “is not restricted to the items covered as durable medical equipment in the Medicare program,” and that for new equipment, a face-to-face encounter with a practitioner must occur no more than 6 months before services start (42 CFR 440.70). Each state sets its own process, and some require prior approval. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid may pick up the 20% Medicare doesn’t pay.
3. VA health care for veterans
VA provides home medical equipment to eligible veterans when VA determines it’s needed as part of their treatment (38 CFR 17.3230). Hospital beds are handled by VA’s Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. Unlike Medicare, VA’s clinical recommendations call for full-electric beds when a bed is prescribed. Start with the veteran’s VA primary care team.
4. Original Medicare (low cost, not free)
If you meet Medicare’s criteria, you rent the bed and pay the Part B deductible plus 20% of the approved amount, which is about $13 to $26 a month for a semi-electric bed in October 2026, depending on your area. See does Medicare cover hospital beds? and the rental guide for the official amounts. A Medigap plan or Medicaid may cover your share. If you end up paying yourself, our hospital bed cost guide shows what each type of bed typically costs.
5. Your state assistive technology program
The Administration for Community Living funds an assistive technology program in every state and territory. Under the AT Act, these programs run device loans, which let you borrow equipment for a limited time, and reutilization, which passes on equipment the original owner no longer needs (ACL). Not every program has hospital beds, but it’s worth asking.
Find programs in your state: our state-by-state directory of free and low-cost hospital bed sources lists each state’s assistive technology program, Medicaid agency, and Medicare counseling program, with phone numbers.
6. Loan closets and community programs
Many communities have medical equipment loan closets, run by volunteer groups, faith communities, senior centers, or disease-specific organizations, that lend donated equipment free or for a small fee. To find one, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 and ask for your area agency on aging. Hospital social workers and hospice teams often know which local closets have beds.
7. Ask before discharge
If the person is in the hospital or a rehab facility, ask the discharge planner or social worker to arrange the bed before discharge. They can help with the order and paperwork, check coverage, and line up a supplier.
Checking a donated or borrowed bed
A free bed is only a good deal if it’s safe:
- Rails and mattress made for that bed. The FDA warns that bed rails, mattresses, and frames aren’t all interchangeable and that gaps can trap a person (FDA). See hospital bed safety.
- Everything works. Run each function, check the hand control and cord, and lock the brakes.
- Clean it. Wipe down the frame and replace or cover the mattress if needed.
- Get the manual and model number. You’ll need them for parts and repairs.
When you no longer need the bed
Ask the lender how to return it, or offer it to your state AT program or a local loan closet so another family can use it. For a fuller preparation checklist and when not to donate, see where to donate a hospital bed. If you’re shopping used instead of borrowing, see buying a used hospital bed.
How we researched this guide
We used Medicare.gov, the Medicare hospice booklet, federal regulations for Medicaid (42 CFR 440.70) and VA (38 CFR 17.3230), VA’s prosthetics service, and ACL’s assistive technology and Eldercare Locator pages, all checked October 7, 2026. Program rules vary by state and change over time, so confirm details with the program.