December delivery trouble

[texazgal]

Don't order supplies in December! You (some of you) know how Medicare wants you to be down to less than a week's worth of goodies to get an order sent? I ordered (Edgepark) my usual 20 changes Dec. 5. They were good and shipped it from the Ft. Worth warehouse on Monday the 7th. It went to Waco the next day. Usually, it gets on the truck for delivery that same day and I get it in the afternoon. BUTT, they used LSO (Lone Star Overnite). What a joke!! They stuck it in their warehouse and there it has sat since last Tuesday the 8th. Finally, this morning I see it is out for delivery and it shows up here this afternoon. The 14th! 9 days after order. Darn good thing I had some extra changes laying around. I told Edgepark to never use this shipper for me again but I guess it is a Dec. problem or maybe just more 2020 crap.

[oliveoyl]

They always ask you how many changes you have left. It just goes to show, unless you've got an ostomy, you don't know how it is. I understand that they have to guard against insurance fraud and all that. But it is still exasperating, and we need to stash away extras just in case. Somebody said, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." That applies here. When you are just starting out and learning how to take care of yourself with an ostomy, it's even worse. At least we have experience and know, to some extent, how the supplies work.

[Mara]

I usually have a good couple of months when I re-order. I actually did it online for the first time because of a long hold time to get a person. I don't believe there was a question about what I had left. But when I do speak to a person I always say enough for a week....they haven't come to my home to inspect yet.....

Additionally, I also ordered earlier this month from AdaptHealth which used to be McKesson which used to be Sterling...lol...got my order in a couple or so days as usual.

[theRabbit]

I always order online. The online system only asks "how long" will the supplies last, not how much you have. I think it is always wise to build up a small inventory. I mean you never now when a shipment might get lost, or you need more than normal supplies. (I hope nobody from the government is following this post)

[Mysticobra]

I will be getting on it soon.
I turn 65 next June.
I've had my ostomy for five years and get my supplies every month.
I am retired (2 years) and am a still on my old insurance from work. Until I turn 65. Then I get booted.
But I have enough supplies to last at least 3 years stocked. I use one bag a week. Two sometimes. But even if I use ten a month I still have leftovers .
I planned this. Saving up supplies.
But I will order as soon as I get on it to see how it works I won't wait.
I don't trust the system if I wait 2 years to order.
Come January I will start getting my ducks in a row by talking to someone to see what I have to do. I don't even know yet. I've been fortunate in having some of the best benefits while employed. But that is fixing to change. It will be a whole new world for me as I've had this insurance for over 35 years.
R.

[texazgal]

Mysticobra, one of the first things you'll need to do is make sure your supplier accepts Medicare. In my case, they told me they would accept it, but I would have to pay up front and wait to be reimbursed by Medicare. That, I didn't want to do. So then you need to give the supplier your Medicare number and other info they need. It's not a big deal to do.

[Mysticobra]

Thank you.
I will keep that in mind.
I use Byram. I don't know how they work it.
But I will find out.
Good to know....
Richard.

[Mara]

Wow, three years worth of supplies!! I honestly don't see the need to have more than three or so months. I also use one set of equipment a week...rarely two. So when I order a month's worth it is enough for quite some time. I haven't noticed any particular delay using Medicare than before although it has been some time since I went on Medicare.
The only time there is a slight delay is if they need a new doctor's prescription but I believe that is only once a year. I switched to having my regular doctor fill out the form. I have never seen it but evidently he just needs to sign it....
Whatever makes you happy, or course....