Thursday, January 24, 2013

Even Beds Subject to New Device Tax

From Kalorama Information's medical bed analyst and author of The World Market for Medical Beds Mary Ann Crandall, medical beds are subject to the new 2.3% medical device excise tax that went into effect in 2013.  " Anything that has a 510k,  which would include medical beds is subject to the tax. " she told the Kalorama Editors this month.  

Some companies have already seen the effects.  Hill-Rom Holdings said that it would lay off about 3% of its workforce, or roughly 200 workers, as it maneuvers to confront the medical device tax set to go into effect next year.    

Of course that beds would be considered a medical device is not surprising to Kalorama, our report on medical beds gets into the features that these beds provide.  Electric beds, birthing beds, respiratory treatment beds and bariatric beds for overweight or obese patients are among the specialty beds that companies provide for hospitals.