sleep number bed. Dumb question

[MMK]

If I were to purchase a sleep number bed to raise the head of teh bed, would that be consider a medical expense and tax deduction, since I keep being told to raise the head of my bed.

[kteague]

Not sure if the recommendation to raise the head of your bed is due to reflux or to help with your OSA in regards to what your medical need is that might make it get approved. My guess is they'll tell you to use a wedge pillow, but you never know. Until you find out about the bed and your insurance, here's my no-cost and minimal hassle solution that will give you a few inch incline in the interim. Fold a quilt or comforter over and over until it is about the width of a pillow and covers the full width of the bed. Place it across the head of the bed between the mattress and box springs. Don't want it too high as you don't want to slide down. I've found this more comfortable than the wedge pillows as it changes nothing about the way I sleep so there's no adjustment period. As far as an adjustable bed, I'm curious. A hospital bed is considered medical equipment but a traditional adjustable bed - who knows?

[MMK]

You never heard of a sleep number bed?? http://www.sleepnumber.com/

[Julie]

You would have to get a doctor to say you needed it (and that nothing else would do), and I also think you'll have a huge lot of trouble finding one to do that! Agree on the medical bed, not on the Sleep # one.

[palerider]

You never heard of a sleep number bed?? http://www.sleepnumber.com/

yes, it's an overpriced air mattress.

[chunkyfrog]

Extremely overpriced.
Most folks who have been there are too embarrassed to share their regret.
Pity. (((Can the gratuitous link be considered spam?)))
Insurance is not likely to cover anything not in a doctors letter of medical necessity.
Even so, lots of luck with that.

[Cardsfan]

A sleep number bed price is just the mattress. They sell the adjustable base separate, and that's the part that is very expensive. I have one, and absolutely love it. Mine is called a split king.
both sides operate separate from each other. I can raise and lower my side separate from my husband's side.

My friend is a nurse, and she suggested putting bricks under the feet of the head of the bed. She said it helped for her own bed.

Or you can order an adjustable base and use it with a regular mattress. I believe a lot of other brands are now getting into those adjustable bases.

[Okie bipap]

Yes, there are a lot of companies making adjustable beds. I have been using one for ten years, now. I got it due to constant back pain at night, and now I have trouble sleeping on a regular bed. When we travel, I take wedge pillows with us so I can sleep at night. When we got ours it wasn't real expensive, and I would hate to try replacing it now, but it may be getting time to consider a new mattress for it.

[knothead]

Place 2 bricks under each headboard post to raise head of bed. worked like a champ and less expensive. By the way my Dr told me to do it...

[sptrout]

If I were to purchase a sleep number bed to raise the head of teh bed, would that be consider a medical expense and tax deduction, since I keep being told to raise the head of my bed.

Pricing and other methods excluded, with a doctor's prescription you can add the costs of any OTC medication, or device, to your medical expenses tax list. Of coarse you need to meet the new ObamaCare level of 10% of AGI (pre-ObamaCare it was 7 1/2%) to be able to start deducting. We have used what is basically a "fake" prescription (by fake I mean not used to buy something that normally does not require a prescription) to add to our long list of medical expenses. Just talk your doctor into writing a prescription for a "Sleep Number Bed" if that is what you really want. As mentioned, there are other cheap ways of doing what you want. BTW - - Does a Sleep Number Bed have the capability of just raising the head?

[Goofproof]

You never heard of a sleep number bed?? http://www.sleepnumber.com/

Did you not read her post, she never said she didn't know what they are. All you need is some blocks of wood to raise the head of YOUR bed.

I'd get on my Obama Phone and ask him to look it up, but I didn't get one. We wonder why health care is unaffordable. Jim

[Goofproof]

If I were to purchase a sleep number bed to raise the head of teh bed, would that be consider a medical expense and tax deduction, since I keep being told to raise the head of my bed.

Pricing and other methods excluded, with a doctor's prescription you can add the costs of any OTC medication, or device, to your medical expenses tax list. Of coarse you need to meet the new ObamaCare level of 10% of AGI (pre-ObamaCare it was 7 1/2%) to be able to start deducting. We have used what is basically a "fake" prescription (by fake I mean not used to buy something that normally does not require a prescription) to add to our long list of medical expenses. Just talk your doctor into writing a prescription for a "Sleep Number Bed" if that is what you really want. As mentioned, there are other cheap ways of doing what you want. BTW - - Does a Sleep Number Bed have the capability of just raising the head?

It does if you buy the extra brick option. Jim

[Cardsfan]

Sleep Number Bed is a store. It sells mattresses that are inflatable, really fancy ones with padding etc. Your "Number" is how much air you inflate your mattress to. More air, higher sleep number, firmer support. It also sells bed frames that are just like hospital beds. Raises and lowers the head and feet. You can buy just the mattress and use any frame. Or you can buy the Sleep Number mattress, and the adjustable frame. They also sell regular frames and pillows and sheet sets.
They even have some technology that tells you how well you sleep, how long, etc.

[palerider]

I believe a lot of other brands are now getting into those adjustable bases.

there were adjustable beds long before the air mattress people got into it.

I remember seeing ads on late night tv when I was a kid. craftmatic (est 1974) rings a bell, I'm not sure if there were others older than that.

[SewTired]

If I were to purchase a sleep number bed to raise the head of teh bed, would that be consider a medical expense and tax deduction, since I keep being told to raise the head of my bed.

See this link to the tax publication. Yes, you can, but only the amount over and above a normal bed would be tax deductible (if I read the info right). You need to show a medical reason why this bed is required to fill your medical need (in other words, you need the adjustable head. If you don't need the foot and buy that too, the foot part is not deductible because it doesn't fulfill a medical need). A family member deducted it, but was not audited so who knows. It's a lot harder to prove if you don't have a disability - just so you know.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf