Summary & Overview
HCPCS E0266: Total Electric Hospital Bed (Head, Foot, Height Adjustments)
HCPCS Level II code E0266 designates a fully electric hospital bed that provides powered adjustments to the head, foot and overall height, furnished without a mattress. This durable medical equipment (DME) code matters nationally because hospital beds with total electric adjustments are commonly used across acute, post-acute and home care settings to support mobility, pressure management and caregiver safety. Coverage, prior authorization requirements and payment rates for hospital beds vary across major payers and Medicare, affecting access to appropriate equipment for medically complex patients.
Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for E0266, common coverage considerations, and the types of benchmarks and policy updates typically relevant for this code. The publication outlines where E0266 is used in care delivery (inpatient and home health settings), summarizes payer coverage themes, and highlights the kinds of documentation and clinical indications that often accompany billing for a total electric hospital bed. Data not available in the input for payer-specific rates, ICD-10 pairings, or utilization metrics will be noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code E0266 describes a hospital bed, total electric (head, foot and height adjustments), with any type side rails, without mattress. This equipment is intended to provide fully powered adjustments for the head, foot and overall height of the bed to support patient positioning and care needs.
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Service type: Durable medical equipment (motorized hospital bed)
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Typical site of service: Inpatient settings and home health environments where a full-electric hospital bed is required for patient support and clinical care
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A hospitalized adult or pediatric patient with mobility limitations, pressure injury risk, neurological impairment, or complex medical needs requires a fully electric hospital bed for safe positioning and care. Typical scenario: a patient admitted to an acute care hospital or long-term acute care facility following traumatic injury, stroke with hemiparesis, advanced neuromuscular disease, or post-operative instability is provided a total electric bed E0266 to allow remote adjustment of head, foot, and height for wound care, respiratory management, transfers, and fall prevention.
Clinical workflow: the physician documents medical necessity (e.g., impaired mobility, need for frequent head-elevation for respiratory status, pressure redistribution, or facilitation of nursing care). A durable medical equipment (DME) order for E0266 is placed. The DME supplier coordinates delivery to the typical site of service (acute hospital, long-term acute care facility, skilled nursing facility, or patient home when criteria met). Nursing and therapy staff train caregivers on bed controls, side rail use, and safe transfer techniques. Ongoing documentation includes rationale for continued use, equipment maintenance, and any adjustments to support discharge planning.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 |