Can I donate/sell hospital bed insurance bought?

[D L and K's Mom]

When my son broke his pelvis 11 years ago. The insurance company bought a hospital bed for him to use at home. It is a very big, crank heavy bed. Our insurance and Medicaid paid for the bed minus our co-pay. The bed has sat in our basement taking up space for 11 years. I would like to donate or sell the bed but not sure if I can. If for any odd reason DD has another problem and needs the bed will they not cover one????? I thought perhaps someone else might need this, someone without insurance?? Anyone???

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Call your local or closest American Legion. Many of them have a collection of hospital and medical equipment that they keep and loan to those in need (free of charge).

 

[Katie Dawn]

Often, with equipment like that, the insurance company either rents the equipment (on a monthly/daily basis) or the insurance company purchases the equipment outright. If it is purchased then it belongs to you.

Obviously, this bed is not still being rented... you own it.

I can't imagine that all those years later your insurance company would even have record of the fact that he is supposed to have a bed (at least, they wouldn't have "easy" access to the records.) After 11 years I would imagine they would provide him with another one.

To be sure, I might call the company (or a similar medical supply company) that originally provided the bed. They will have a better idea of how these things work.

Donating it is a great idea, by the way! Kudos to you!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Never even thought of Amer Legion!!! Love that idea....thought if we could not donate we could sell and donate the $$$. We got it for free when we needed it would love to pay it forward. Thanks for the idea!!!! We also have a few medical strollers we paid for and a large feeding chair. I am going to call tomorrow!!!!

 

[Mono~rail]

Another idea is to call home health and hospice agencies in your area. One of them probably has a patient who is in need of such equipment but can't get it through medicare, medicaid, or their insurance.

 

[Poohlovr]

When my dad passed, my mom donated all of his medical equipment to Hospice. They were thrilled to get them.
It won't be a problem with your insurance company.

 

[starann]

As a homecare nurse, there is always someone in need of medical equiptment. Not too long ago, we had a patient in hospice, who passed away and his wife wanted to donate this expensive chair he had....I think he had ALS, anyway, the hospital wouldn't take it, as they could not 'safety' certify it. I think they ended up finding a home for it, but we couldn't really 'assist' in finding one, legal said the risk of getting sued was too high!!!!!!

I hope you find a home for it, I know there are many needy people who could use one!