medical equipment providers

[sb]

Hi,

In a recent PM discussion with a member of this BBS I discovered that she was paying around 8X more than I for catheters.

This made me think that this subject of medical equipment providers would be worth bringing up on this board.

The equipment provider that I'm using is sportaid.com and the price for most catheters ranges from $0.50 to $1.25 each. The only problem I have with this company is that they are not on the BC/BS preferred provider list so I have to pay the out-of-network deductible.

I'd like to know where other people get their supplies and what the prices look like -- if there is an online catalog it would be helpful.

All the best,
SB

[squid56]

I get my stuff from Edgepark because that is who my insurance company has a contract with. I do know they are expensive and if it wasn't for the in network provider thing I would go someplace else!

[jpotts]

I am with you 100% Squid I too use Edgepark and only due to insurance coverage. It would be a good exercise to take on for someone to do compares on different suppliers etc..

[waterlover]

they charge $15 per catheter. But they are a BC/BS provider, that is why I use them. Wish I could find a cheaper one. Aileen

[Charles_in_Tx]

dOstomy Suppliers in USA most with toll free phone numbers:

http://www.ostomy.evansville.net/ostomysuppliers.htm

[DebbieD]

I get mine from Edgepark also.
DebieD

[Carl W]

I get mine from a local pharmacy that stocks medical supplies. I'm paying $4.95 for mine, but have gotten by with only two, for the past six months. I'm using one of the more expensive ones they stock, since I had a problem with the rubber type I had been using. I originally used a 14 fr, but my stoma had so much scar tissue that I was only able to insert it with great pain (10 on the famous scale) and about 10 minutes of work. I'm now using a 12 fr, that's clear plastic. Also, the pain has greatly reduced, and I'm finally able to insert it with almost no pressure.

I wash mine in anticeptic dish soap and hot water. Swish it around, rinse it under tap water, and put it under a towel on the back of the toilet until I need it. I've been using this method ever since starting to use it, and have had only one infection, which I traced back to having to use the cath in a bar one night, where conditions were less than sterile. I was told I could microwave them to sterilize them, but the nurse standing behind the doctor shook her head "no", and later said that they get too brittle, and some of the "gunk" doesn't get cleared as well as when they are washed in soap and water.

When I was using them before prostate surgery, I was using the 14 fr, and had little problem with them.

[superauntie]

I get all my cathing supplies through CCS Medical. They will bill your insurance and do all the paperwork for you, and deliver the supplies at the same time each month.

Here's a couple other suppliers that have catheters for lower prices:
A-Med Healthcare
Byram Healthcare
Express Medical
Care Medical Supplies

Hope this helps.

Jessie

[Charles_in_Tx]

Check this Ostomy supplier for Catheters :

http://www.continentostomystore.com/Mer ... de=CONTOST