Medical bed rental: what do rental companies NOT tell you upfront?

[acgmedicalsupply]

Hi everyone,

I’m new here, and I hope this is the right place to ask. My dad is coming home from the hospital next month after a long stay. The doctor said he’ll need a proper bed setup at home for at least 3 to 4 months, maybe longer. So now I’m trying to figure out medical bed rental, and honestly, I had no idea how confusing this would be.

At first, I thought buying a home hospital bed was the only option. Then I saw the prices and my jaw dropped. A good electric hospital bed can cost a lot, and we don’t even know how long we’ll need it. That’s why we started looking into hospital bed rental.

Here’s where I’m stuck:

Electric or manual? My dad can’t change positions easily, so I think an electric bed makes sense. But does the rental price change a lot between the two?
Delivery and setup. Do rental companies usually deliver and set up the bed, or do we have to do it ourselves? Our bedroom is on the second floor, so I’m a bit worried.
Patient transfer. This is the part I didn’t think about at all. Moving him from bed to wheelchair is hard, and my mom can’t lift him alone. Someone told me about a patient lift rental or a hydraulic lift rental. Is a patient transfer lift really necessary, or can we manage without one? Also, if a medical lift rental is needed, is a heavy duty lift better, since my dad is on the heavier side?
Hidden costs. Are there extra charges for delivery, pickup, mattress, or side rails? I’ve heard some places charge a monthly fee plus other small fees that add up.
Insurance. Does insurance usually cover rentals, or is it mostly out of pocket?

I called a few places around our area. One of them was ACG Medical Supply, and they explained things in a simple way, but I’m still comparing and don’t want to rush. I’d really like to hear from people who have actually been through this, since everyone seems to have a different story.

A few questions for you all:

How long did you rent your bed or lift, and did you end up buying it later?
What should I check before signing a rental agreement?
Is it better to rent the bed and lift from the same place?
Any red flags I should watch for?
I’m also worried about safety. We want to avoid falls or injuries, for him and for us while moving him. If you have any tips on setting up the room, please share.

Sorry for the long post. I just want to make the right decision and not waste money or put my dad at risk. Any advice, even small tips, would help a lot.

Thanks in advance!