is anyone getting there supplies covered by insurance

rikki · Post by **rikki** » 2008-01-14 17:20:29

my insurance is with blue cross and was wondering if any of you guys have been able to get your insurance companies to pay for your supplies like catherters, lubricant, bandages, etc.

Lynne · Post by **Lynne** » 2008-01-15 11:21:14

rikki ,

If you have the traditional Blue Cross, then you should be able to submit your receipts as a Major Medical claim.

jpotts · Post by **jpotts** » 2008-01-17 20:20:37

Insurance covers my supplies only if I order through Edgepark medical. I have Coventry of KS but I believe Edgepark works with several providers. go to www.edgepark.com and give them a call. They are very pleasant to work with. Good luck!

luv2hike · Post by **luv2hike** » 2008-01-17 20:49:12

I have Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and they will cover the cost (or some percentage - I don't know the specifics yet) of supplies as long as I use their preferred medical supplier. In this case, its Sterling Medical.

All I have to do is set up an account with Sterling and they'll handle
the 3rd party billing. Haven't done this yet b/c I'm still under the care of the VNA, but once I'm discharged (which will be soon) I'll set up the account.

Have you checked w/ BC?

Good Luck!

luv2hike

squid56 · Post by **squid56** » 2008-01-26 18:22:43

It really depends on your policy. You need to call Blue Cross to see if they will cover it. I have Cigna and I am covered so they do pay for my supplies. My policy covers it at 80%, but if I meet my out of pocket for the year then they pay at 100%.

LindaAukett UOAA Advocacy · 2008-02-07 09:38:51

The system that luv2hike described (home health agency providing while you are receiving their service, then setting up your own provider) is typical of Medicare. Some other insurers - IF they cover home health - may have adopted that system since Medicare put it into effect in late 2000.

For non-Medicare folks with a plan from one of the Blue's - each BC-BS company is a completely separate business, and may run their plans differently. They have to live with the regulations of the state in which they are located (major exception - the plans they offer as Medicare supplements, which are regulated by the feds).

Big kicker in the whole thing is that only one state in this country has a legislative mandate to cover anything having to do with ostomies, for non-Medicare people. We in UOAA have tried to extend that to other states, but the insurance lobby hates mandates and they have a much bigger voice than we do.

I don't mean to say we won't keep trying, but we need a crack in the wall in order to get somewhere: someone with a sympathetic legislator; a group of interested folks who will work on the campaign within their state, etc. If YOU can help provide that crack, let us know!

Linda

DebbieD · Post by **DebbieD** » 2008-02-12 14:01:16

Yes I have Blue Cross and they cover all my supplies

DebbieD

LGilpin · Post by **LGilpin** » 2008-02-12 18:23:35

I have Tri-Care (military insurance) and they cover the cost of all my supplies. I get my supplies through Sterling Medical.

rikki · Post by **rikki** » 2008-02-13 09:23:35

thanks guys. i just got letters from my doctor yesterday that should be the last step in getting my supplies covered. yes i do move slow but i keep moving forward. thanks again for the info from everyone.