I am currently working with my local State Representative on trying to get a state mandate for Ostomy supply coverage proposed in Pennsylvania.

I am looking for information on Ostomy patients, in any state, that do not have, or have limited coverage, for Ostomy supplies.

For privacy reasons, I am only looking for the name of your insurance and the limitations that they currently have on your supply coverage.
No ID numbers, group numbers, employer names - ect.

If you feel more comfortable PM'ing me this info, please do so.

You do not need to live in the State of PA, but I am only researching within the US.

For example, I have Blue Cross of Northeastern PA, and do not have coverage at all because thier current policy is that they do not cover disposable supplies.

Thanks!

Again - no personal information please!!!

im in california. i had pacificare insurance and they would only cover bare minimum supplies and i still had a $50 per month copay for them. i actually need about 30-35 bags a month, but they would only cover 20. so all extra supplies came out of pocket. now i have unitedhealthcare. they will at least send me 30 bags a month, but i do not know how much it will cost yet. i have not gotten a bill yet!

Just to say how sorry I feel for you people in American as in Australia we have a country wide scheme where we just pay a 'joining fee' and get all the supplies we need for free. At least that's what it was like when I was last on the bag 18 years ago,then it was $25 p.a.still seems the same now as I have to return to the bag, and looked it up on the net, the fee has probably gone up, but I'm sure it won't be excessive. It must be terrible to have to worry
about that, all the hassle of supplies etc.
Just cause more stress, and that is bad!!! Hope you get it all sorted out, Heather

Diane,

Contact Linda Auckett from UOAA - she's the UOAA advocate and has been working on this problem for years. She may have some good ideas for you on how to go about things.

Good luck!

Shaz

Shaz....
I should have mentioned that I already talked to Linda Aukett and Colin Cooke from the UOAA. This is essentially a bilateral project that I am working on I have also posted announcement this on the UOAA board.
Thanks for the info though!!

I have bcbs and it depends on the plan I pick but it's 80/20 for almost all appliance supplies (so far - not M9 but everything else has been covered) until I meet my deductible then they cover everything. I'm not sure what quantity limitations might exist because I've never met any.

We have a $1500 deduct. to meet first and then it is 80/20 with United Health Care. I am sure there are limits but we are fortunate to have medicaid as secondary insurnace which picks up the rest. I tell you, if we didnt have that we would be screwed!
I hope you also look into the fact that a lot of insuranes have lifetime max's for supplies too. Crazy when your ileo is perm!

well, i just got the bill from the supply company. AFTER insurance paid their part, my bill was almost $300, for a 90-day supply of bags and extras...holy crap!!! glad this is not permanent.

Medica MHC .. They do not cover ostomy supplies.

Thank God for SGV.. 90 bucks a month takes care of it. Almost half of what Edge park charges.

Thanks everyone - keep them comming!!