Manual Hoyer Patient Lifts

You've probably heard the term "Hoyer lift" — it's become the common name for any full-body patient lift, the way Kleenex is used for tissue. Hoyer is actually a brand name, but it's now widely used to describe an entire category of equipment. Every lift on this page is a manual hydraulic patient lift — what most people mean when they say manual Hoyer lift.

These lifts are designed for patients who cannot bear weight during transfers and need to be fully supported from point A to point B. A patient sling wraps around the patient, attaches to the lift's spreader bar, and the caregiver uses a hand pump to raise and lower them smoothly — no electric motor, no battery, no charging required. Transfers from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to commode, chair to bath, or floor to bed all become manageable for one caregiver.

Electric vs. Hydrolic — What's the Difference?

Both electric and manual hydrolic patient lifts use a sling and spreader bar to support the patient. The difference is how the lifting happens.

A manual hydraulic lift uses a hand pump — the caregiver pumps a handle to raise the patient, similar to a floor jack. Manual lifts are lower cost and don't require charging, but they do require physical effort on every transfer.

An electric lift uses a rechargeable battery and a hand pendant. Press up, the patient rises. Press down, they lower. No pumping, no physical effort. For caregivers doing multiple transfers a day, or those with back or shoulder limitations, the difference is significant.

All lifts on this page are manual hydraulic models. If you're looking for a battery-powered electric lift, see our electric Hoyer patient lifts.

Why Choose a Manual Patient Lift?

• Lower cost — manual lifts are significantly less expensive than comparable electric models
• No charging required — no battery to manage; always ready when you need it
• No power failure risk — fully mechanical; works anywhere, anytime
• Simple to operate — pump to raise, release valve to lower; no electronics to learn or troubleshoot
• Medicare coverage — manual hydraulic patient lifts are covered by Medicare Part B as durable medical equipment when criteria are met
• Lighter weight — no battery or motor; easier to maneuver between rooms

How to Choose the Right Manual Patient Lift

Use the filters on the left to narrow by brand and weight capacity. Here's what matters most when comparing manual lifts:

Weight Capacity

This is the most important spec. Choose a lift rated comfortably above your patient's weight — not right at the limit. Working at or near a weight limit adds wear and increases risk. Most lifts on this page handle patients up to 400–450 lbs. If your patient is above that range, filter for our bariatric model, which supports up to 1,000 lbs.

Base Height

The base height determines whether the lift can slide under the patient's bed. Most beds clear 5"–7" off the floor. Check the base height spec on each product against your bed clearance before ordering — if the lift won't slide under, floor and bedside transfers become more complicated. Base heights on this page range from 5.5" to 7".

Sling Compatibility

All manual lifts on this page accommodate 2, 4, and 6-point slings — so sling type won't limit your choice between models. What matters is choosing the right sling style for your patient's transfer needs. See our patient lift slings for full body, divided leg, commode-opening, and mesh bathing options.

Optional Add-Ons

Some lifts in this lineup offer optional accessories at checkout — including a digital patient scale and locking caster upgrades. Check each product page for available options.

Is This the Right Type of Patient Lift?

A full-body manual patient lift is designed for patients who cannot bear any weight on their legs during a transfer. If your loved one still has some ability to stand or bear weight — even limited — a sit-to-stand lift may be a better and less expensive fit. Not sure which type is right? Call us at 1-800-956-6616 and we'll help you figure it out before you buy.

Compatible Patient Lift Slings

Every manual patient lift requires a sling — the fabric support that holds the patient during a transfer. Most lifts on this page are sold without a sling; one model includes a canvas sling with chains. Compatible slings can be added at checkout on most products. The right sling style depends on your patient's transfer needs: full body, divided leg, commode-opening, and mesh bathing options are available. Browse compatible patient lift slings here.

Does Medicare Cover Manual Hoyer Lifts?

Yes — Medicare Part B covers manual hydraulic patient lifts as durable medical equipment under HCPCS code E0630. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (opens in new tab), coverage applies when the lift is needed for transfers between a bed and a chair, wheelchair, or commode, and the patient would be confined to bed without it. A physician's order establishing medical necessity is required.

Once your yearly deductible is met, Medicare generally covers 80% of the approved amount, leaving you responsible for the remaining 20%. Replacement slings for a covered lift may be covered under HCPCS code E0621 — check with your Medicare supplier or physician.

That said, ADHME does not bill Medicare directly. To keep our costs down and pass those savings on to you, we operate outside the Medicare billing system. What we do provide is a detailed paid invoice including the product's HCPCS code, which you can submit for reimbursement. Any direct Medicare billing requires the purchase to go through a Medicare-enrolled DMEPOS supplier — if that's the priority for you, we'd recommend going that route instead.

For private insurance, many insurers cover patient lifts when prescribed as medically necessary. Contact your insurer before ordering to confirm your coverage and any required documentation.

Patient lifts are also generally eligible expenses under HSA and FSA accounts. The paid invoice ADHME provides serves as your documentation for reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a manual hydraulic patient lift?

A manual hydraulic patient lift uses a hand-operated pump to raise a patient via a sling and spreader bar system. The caregiver pumps a handle to raise the patient — similar to a hydraulic floor jack — and releases a valve to lower them. There is no battery, no motor, and no charging required. These lifts are designed for patients who cannot bear weight on their legs and need full-body support during transfers between a bed, wheelchair, commode, or other surfaces.

Is a manual lift hard to operate?

Manual lifts require more physical effort from the caregiver than electric lifts, but the pump mechanism is straightforward to learn. Raising requires several pump strokes per inch of height; lowering is controlled by a release valve. For caregivers doing one or two transfers a day, most find the manual operation manageable. For higher-frequency transfers or caregivers with back, shoulder, or wrist limitations, an electric patient lift is worth considering.

Can a manual lift pick a patient up from the floor?

Yes — most manual patient lifts can support floor-level transfers, provided the base height is low enough to position the lift correctly and the sling can be placed under the patient. The base heights on this page range from 5.5" to 7". Always confirm the floor transfer procedure with the lift's owner's manual and with the patient's physician or physical therapist before attempting a floor lift.

What slings work with manual patient lifts?

All manual lifts on this page accommodate 2, 4, and 6-point slings. The right sling style depends on the patient's transfer needs — full body mesh for general transfers, commode-opening slings for bathroom transfers, divided leg slings for more secure positioning, and mesh bathing slings for shower use. See our patient lift slings for available styles and sizes, or call us at 1-800-956-6616 for help selecting the right one.

Does Medicare cover a manual patient lift?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers manual hydraulic patient lifts under HCPCS code E0630 as durable medical equipment. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (opens in new tab), coverage applies when the lift is needed for transfers between a bed and a chair, wheelchair, or commode, and the patient would be confined to bed without it. A physician's order establishing medical necessity is required.

Once your yearly deductible is met, Medicare generally covers 80% of the approved amount. Replacement slings for a covered lift may be covered under HCPCS code E0621 — check with your Medicare supplier or physician.

ADHME does not bill Medicare directly — we provide a detailed paid invoice with the HCPCS code for you to submit. Any direct Medicare billing requires a Medicare-enrolled DMEPOS supplier. If billing Medicare directly is the priority, we'd recommend going through that channel instead.

What is the difference between a manual and electric patient lift?

Both use a sling and spreader bar to support the patient. The difference is how the patient is raised and lowered. A manual lift uses a hand pump — the caregiver pumps a handle to raise the patient and releases a valve to lower them. An electric lift uses a rechargeable battery and hand pendant — press a button, the patient rises or lowers. Manual lifts cost less, require no charging, and are eligible for Medicare coverage. Electric lifts require no physical effort, which matters for high-frequency transfers or caregivers with physical limitations. See our electric patient lifts if you'd like to compare.

Why Buy From American Discount Home Medical Equipment?

We've been in the home medical equipment business for over 30 years — first in a brick-and-mortar store in San Jose, now online serving customers across the country. We carry manual patient lifts from brands we've evaluated and chosen to stand behind — at every price point from entry-level to bariatric.

Every lift ships free to the contiguous U.S. with no minimum order, and we back our prices with a lowest-price guarantee. If you're not sure which lift is right for your situation, call us at 1-800-956-6616 or start a live chat. We know patient lifts, we know slings, and we'll help you make a decision you feel confident about.

Financing is available through BreadPay — quick approval, payments starting as low as $33/month.