Looking for people with ostomies in North Carolina..?
Question:
The Medicaid guidelines for paying for our supplies is ridiculous!
Serious people only please!!
Answers:
hi jmb, I am a female ostomate like yourself for 21 yrs.
Are you eligible for Medicare as well? They have better coverage than medicaid alone.
first, if you are a new ostomate fresh off the OR table, you can call Convatec and they will give you one month's supply free. Their number is 1-888-422-8811 M-F 8:30 am - 5 pm (EST--times may have changed). You can also call them and speak to an ET nurse who can advise you as to what is covered.
Also, check into the united ostomy association of america's site. they have tons of information plus you can contact them as well re:reimbursement of supplies. Look into finding a support chapter where you live because some of them (the one where I belong to does) will have a table of free supplies from members that no longer need them for whatever reason. I just boxed up 5 different brands of bags and wafers that nobody needed. We waited a yr. & when the time was up, we donated them to a religious organization that is traveling to the dominican republic to assist at the clinics and hospital.
you can ask your GI or colorectal surgeon if they have any pts. w/ostomies. See if they'd be able to contact them to speak with you. Ask the MD about any support groups at the hospitals they work at.
hope this helps. good luck.
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