My dad's medical bed broke and won't rise, and he is in his 90's. My mom recently passed and I am upset how things went with her care because I realized too late that her swallowing issue was not dementia but probably GERD related because she could swallow fine depending on what time she was eating. Strange right? And hospice was only stuck on "it's the progression of the disease" But that is another story... back to the bed... The heartache of her last week and then her passing felt worse when a few days later, my dad's own bed stopped lowering at the head. It made my life more manageable to keep the wheelchair for him and the bed like the driver said. He said it is ours. The insurance which is a Medicare advantage has no record of monthly charges on their records when I contacted them by phone. What does that mean? I have not checked the old monthly statements yet. If Medicare keeps buying new ones because they have suppliers that rely on Medicare to stay in business, then Medicare would simply order new beds for each hospice patient. If they clean them and reuse for a next patient, Medicare would not show an expense for it right? It would make my life easy if I can keep it for my dad.
As far as the equipment - you will need to check with the hospice provider - even though dad was in SN by this time, hospice provided the bed and wheelchair - when dad died the equipment went back to the durable medical equipment (DME) company used by the Hospice.
It might depend on how long your parents have been/were on hospice. You'll need to check with the hospice provider.
I do know that the doc tried putting in an order from some company, but no one ever talked to me. I received a letter later from that company closing the request as they never got the paperwork they needed. When hospice came on board, all that happened behind the green curtain. I never talked to anyone about it nor did I hear a word about it.
Personally I would ask your dad's doctor to get orders for a repair or new replacement bed for dad rather than keep the one hospice ordered for your mother.
I would also pester the hospice place for getting the other equipment picked up. It shouldn't matter that they switched providers. I certainly wouldn't take a driver's word about it. IF the DME company went out of business, maybe it would never get picked up, but I wouldn't count on it. It may take time if the hospice place changed DME providers, but eventually they will likely catch up and you don't want to be billed for keeping the items! I'd also make sure THEY do the leg work, not you - they shouldn't just tell you the company name and phone number, THEY should be doing this!
Depending on dad's situation, he might be able to get a new or repaired bed and a wheelchair, but it should be through doc orders, not a driver's word...
I think it depends on how long the bed was 'rented' and paid for by Medicare. Seems like the time period of one year rental and then the bed belongs to patient. So if dad has his over a year, that's why there's no rental anymore. Call that company to do the repair. The bed sent by hospice will get picked up - it belongs to them/the durable goods provider they use. Hospice, your most recent provider, should be able to tell you when they will send someone for hospice bed. Again, look on the bed for owner name.
Many beds are just short term use in the home, so they are used over and over via Medicare/dr order. Some equipment is long term. Medicare pays for so long and if still needed after that period (1 year I think) it belongs to patient.
I would ask the Hospice Nurse, they are usually the ones that order DME supplies.
If it does belong to you, great. If not ask your dad's doctor to order a hospital bed for him.
When my mother passed, they came out a few days later and got every bit of equipment down to the food table. The bed, the oxygen tank, the food table, the albuterol machine, etc.
It’s not just a hospice thing but with many medical professionals - once you or a loved one gets a dementia diagnosis, you can cancel any other medical possibilities. Seen it with mom before passing and now seeing it with dad.
Oh his weight loss is due to dementia – but dentures broke, oh his swallowing is due to dementia - no swallow study needed, oh his memory problem is due to dementia (and now one of his meds is removed) another improvement.
Many professionals are not willing to entertain other medical possibilities. God help us all!
Keep us posted if you could keep or had to replace!