The National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) has released a position paper on the appropriate design and use of adaptive and protective beds for people with disabilities.
The organization announced its first-ever position paper on Aug. 18 while noting “the use and potential misuse of adaptive/protective beds is an area of concern that has been identified by consumers, clinicians, manufacturers, suppliers, policy makers and third-party payers.” NCART defined adaptive and protective beds as medical devices, but said these specialty beds are “often mischaracterized as furniture or a convenience item, considered experimental or investigational in nature, or inaccurately viewed as a non-medical restraint.”
NCART added, “For the rights of individuals with disabilities and complex medical conditions, as outlined in this position paper, protective/adaptive beds are a medical necessity. These specialized beds play a critical role in minimizing the risk for preventable accidents, injuries and adverse occurrences during sleep.”
The paper defines adaptive and protective beds, noting that they are medical devices registered with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and “prescribed specifically for an individual of any age with a medically established diagnosis, disability or complex medical condition, and/or has ‘special health-care needs’ when in bed.”
The position paper also describes the construction and designs of enclosed adaptive/protective beds and provides measurements and safety features.
The funding portion of the paper lists qualifying presentations of consumers using adaptive/protective beds, including a congenital, genetic, neurological or neurodivergent condition, and presentations that can include impaired motor development and issues with balance, safety awareness, pain perceptions, sleep disorders, or sensory regulation challenges that impair clients’ function.
The paper includes sections on documentation, prior authorization, potential contraindications, and coding guidelines.
The position paper does not cover lying posture care management (LPCM). The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) published a new position paper on LPCM earlier this year.
