Summary & Overview
HCPCS E0291: Hospital Bed, Fixed Height, No Side Rails, No Mattress
HCPCS Level II code E0291 designates a fixed-height hospital bed without side rails or mattress. As a durable medical equipment item, this bed addresses needs for a stable, hospital-style sleeping surface in settings where adjustable-height features or side rails are unnecessary. Nationally, DME codes like E0291 matter because they guide procurement, billing, and coverage determinations across public and private payers.
Key payers in common coverage analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of what E0291 represents, typical sites of service, and the clinical context of use. The publication summarizes coverage patterns and billing practices across major payers (Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare) and highlights benchmark considerations and policy updates relevant to durable medical equipment coding.
This report also explains common billing workflows for hospital bed DME, typical documentation elements that support medical necessity for a fixed-height bed without rails or mattress, and caveats for suppliers and facilities when submitting claims. Data not provided in the input are noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code E0291 describes a hospital bed, fixed height, without side rails, without mattress. This item is a durable medical equipment (DME) product intended to provide a stationary bed frame for patients who require a hospital-style bed but do not need adjustable height or integrated side rails.
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Service type: Durable medical equipment (hospital bed)
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Typical site of service: Inpatient or outpatient facility settings, long-term care facilities, and patient homes where a fixed-height hospital bed is appropriate
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient with limited mobility is discharged from an inpatient stay and requires a stable hospital-style bed at home. The durable medical equipment order is for a fixed-height hospital bed without side rails and without a mattress, billed under E0291. Typical patients include those recovering from medical conditions that require a raised head or foot position for comfort or monitoring (for example, congestive heart failure with orthopnea), chronic illness with need for frequent caregiver access, or palliative patients who require a sturdy bed frame but do not need adjustable height or integrated rails. The clinical workflow begins with a provider evaluation documenting medical necessity for a hospital bed frame: diagnosis and functional limitations, inability to use a standard home bed, and justification for a fixed-height model without mattress. The provider places a DME order specifying E0291; the durable medical equipment supplier verifies insurance coverage, obtains any required prior authorization from payors such as Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, or Medicare, arranges delivery and set-up in the patient’s residence, and documents delivery and patient education. Follow-up includes confirmation that the bed meets functional needs and is used safely by the patient and caregivers.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
52 |