So the doctor says you or a loved one needs a hospital bed at home. "No problem," you say to yourself, "I'll just go online and buy one." And then it happens...you become overwhelmed with the choices. And the more features you need the bed to have, the more confusing it gets.

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But before you begin looking for that perfect bed, here are a few basics you need to know before you get started:

Hospital Bed or Home Care Bed:

A true hospital bed is just like the ones you see in the hospital. They have a lot of complex features and can cost up to tens of thousands of dollars. However, you may need a bed just like this. And in that case, a great choice is a refurbished unit. Hill-Rom is the gold standard for hospital beds and you can get a refurbished one for under $3000. But each model has unique features suited for different needs.

Now if you do need a traditional hospital bed, you need to consider where it will be in your home. These units are quite large and often won't fit through doors or make it around tight corners. Some units are not recommended to be used in an upstairs room due to the above average weight.

But if you just need something with rails that has head and foot elevation capabilities, a home care bed is your perfect choice. These beds have the "look" of a traditional bed. Invacare is a popular choice for home care beds.

Electric or Manual:

Here's another decision you'll need to make. An electric version is much easier to use. The bed will raise and lower at a touch of a button. But of course the electric models are more expensive. So if you need to save money, a manual bed may be a good choice. But be careful...the caregiver will need to be able to manually crank the bed to raise and lower it. And if you still can't decide, there are semi-electric versions available as well.

Mattress and Rails:

Some beds come with a mattress and rails and some don't. This is something you need to be aware of with respect to your budget. Now if the bed does not come with a mattress, you'll have the opportunity to choose the type of mattress you want.

Air and foam types are most popular. In fact, some of the pricier mattresses can actually help in the prevention of bed sores.

There may be several more things to consider but so many of that depends on your particular situation. The best way to handle having to purchase a hospital bed for home use is to speak with an expert. That way, an expert can identify your particular needs and find the perfect bed for your needs.

It's too easy to buy the wrong type of bed without help. Don't do it on your own. Get help and get the right bed.

If you're renting a hospital bed, make sure to follow within a set of tips and rules to make sure that you can get the best deal for it.

1) Make Sure Your Purchase is Covered by Your Policy

First, don't rent or buy from the first company you check out. Shop around, and try talking with your insurance company because they may have names of companies that are covered under an insurance plan. Not all companies are covered by Medicare or your insurance company, so make sure you find one that will get you a reimbursement.

Check with Medicare as well. Your bed might be covered. Medicare will cover the cost of a bed if you can show that you have sufficient medical necessity for it. If you're covered under Part B, consult with your doctor to get a prescription to have the bill of the bed covered.

2) Ask Your Doctor for Referrals

While getting the prescription from your doctor, ask if they have names of companies to rent from that they recommend. If they're writing you a prescription for a hospital bed, they may have a name or two of a good company to use. They have to deal with these things a lot, and they'll hear if a company is good or bad.

3) Remember to Cross All of Your Ts and Dot All of Your Is

Make sure to always follow the correct procedure and fill out all the necessary paperwork to get your bed covered by insurance or Medicare. It can be frustrating hasta yatakları to go through the entire process of applying and getting the chair, only to find out that you've done something wrong that will disqualify you from getting reimbursed for your bed. It's better to call Medicare or your insurance company and make sure you're doing everything correctly before proceeding with each step. It's better to be safe, than sorry.