ostomy supplies patient assistance

If you have an ostomy and are having trouble obtaining supplies or your insurance does not cover your supplies, the following resources may be helpful.  American Cancer Society (800)-737-0045  Convatec Ostomy Access program: (800)979-8716  Discount Medical Supplies (888)-444-6741  Hollister Assistance Program: (800)323-4060 opt. 6  JRS Surgical: (877)359-6716 (at cost, if no insurance)  Mercy Surgical: (888)637-2912 (at cost, if no insurance)  Michigan only: World Medical Relief: (313)866-5333 (small fee)  Osto Group: (877)678-6690 www.ostogroup.org (will send supplies for the shipping cost only)  UOAA (United Ostomy Association of America): (800)826-0826 or www.uoaa.org  www.amazon.com search: ostomy supplies  www.fowusa.org Friends of Ostomates Worldwide  www.ostomyangels.com  www.stomabags.com or 1-855-828-1444 supplies for non or uninsured

Full Answer

Is there any prescription assistance available for ostomy supplies?

Patient may not have any prescription assistance through third-party coverage such as Medicaid, Medicare, Private Insurance or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Patient must state that they are not able to purchase their ConvaTec Ostomy supplies. United Ostomy Association of America www.uoaa.org 1-800-826-0826

Does uoaa have ostomy supplies?

UOAA recognizes that you may have a need for emergency supplies. Below are resources that may be of assistance to you on a temporary basis. UOAA does not have ostomy supplies in the national office. Please call directly to ask for information and to apply for these programs.

What does ConvaTec do for ostomy patients?

Patient Assistance Program As part of our mission, ConvaTec is committed to helping people living with ostomies overcome the challenges they face—including affording ostomy supplies. Through the ConvaTec Ostomy Access Program, we provide ostomy supplies to financially eligible patients on a temporary basis, at no charge.*

Can a home health aide assist with a colostomy bag?

As a home health care provider, we care for many home care clients that have had a colostomy. As home health caregivers, we will routinely help with maintenance of the stoma and ostomy bag.

How do I get more ostomy supplies?

Alternative Local Resources Call your state's 2-1-1 number. Just dial 211 as you would 911. UOAA has Affiliated Support Groups who sometimes operate Donation or Supply Closets. Kinders Closet can provide a short term supply of ostomy supplies.

Do you get free prescriptions if you have a stoma?

If you have an ileostomy, you'll be entitled to free NHS prescriptions for necessary products. You'll be given an initial supply of stoma bags before you leave hospital, as well as your prescription information.

What is the Ostomate program?

Your doctor or surgeon may recommend an ostomy to treat a digestive or urinary system disease. The surgery involves creating an opening (stoma) from inside the body to the outside to help eliminate waste. Ostomy surgery is a common procedure.

How many ostomy Supplies Does Medicare cover per month?

Medicare Coverage for Ostomy SuppliesMEDICARE-COVERED OSTOMY SUPPLIESALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER MONTHUrostomy pouchesUp to 20Closed ostomy pouchesUp to 60Skin barrier with flangeUp to 20Adhesive remover wipes150 every 3 months5 more rows

Does Medicare pay for an ostomy nurse?

The short answer is, yes, Medicare covers the majority of the cost of ostomy supplies if you meet certain conditions. Read on and we'll explain these conditions in more detail so you have the knowledge to get the ostomy supplies you need while maximizing your Medicare coverage.

Can I claim disability with a stoma?

For those of us with a stoma and underlying medical conditions then PIP (Personal Independence Payment) may well be a thing that you may be able to claim. For those who aren't aware, PIP is a disability benefit that can be claimed even if you work. It is a benefit that is not means-tested.

What is the life expectancy of someone with a stoma?

The studies revealed the average age of a person with a colostomy to be 70.6 years, an ileostomy 67.8 years, and a urostomy 66.6 years.

Does ileostomy qualify for disability?

The Blue Book also considers ileostomy and colostomy surgery to "not preclude gainful activity if you are able to maintain adequate nutrition and function of the stoma.” Meaning that a good surgical outcome with an ostomy where everything is going well is not considered a reason for disability.

What celebrities have colostomy bags?

Famous People with OstomiesAl Geiberger. Al Geiberger is a former professional golfer who won 11 tournaments on the PGA tour, one of them being the 1966 PGA Championship. ... Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower. ... Jerry Kramer. ... Marvin Bush. ... Napoleon Bonaparte. ... Rolf Benirschke. ... Thomas P. ... Babe Zaharias.More items...•

How often should ostomy bag be changed?

Colostomy bags and equipment Closed bags may need changing 1 to 3 times a day. There are also drainable bags that need to be replaced every 2 or 3 days. These may be suitable for people who have particularly loose poos.

What's the difference between ostomy and colostomy?

The bowel may have to be rerouted through an artificially created hole (stoma) in the abdomen so that faeces can still leave the body. A colostomy is an operation that connects the colon to the abdominal wall, while an ileostomy connects the last part of the small intestine (ileum) to the abdominal wall.

How do I make an emergency colostomy bag?

After brainstorming, Rodel, our ward nurse from the Philippines came up with a brilliant idea of a DIY ostomy bag - connect a surgical glove with the sterilised lid of a jar of coffee powder. Then, tie it on the patient and make sure the glove gets changed every day.

What does a urostomy stoma look like?

This nurse may also be called an ostomy nurse.) The stoma will look pink to red and will be moist and shiny. The shape will be round to oval, and it will shrink over time after surgery. Some stomas may stick out a little, while others are flat against the skin.

What is a wafer for colostomy?

Ostomy wafers, which are sometimes called flanges or baseplates are plastic rings that are used to connect the pouch system and the skin barrier. They are used to help hold the pouch in place.

What happens when you have a colostomy bag?

Unlike your anus, your stoma doesn't have muscles or nerve endings. So you can't control when you move your bowels. Instead, a pouch, called a colostomy bag, goes over the stoma to collect your poop when it comes out.

Emergency Supplies

UOAA recognizes that you may have a need for emergency supplies. Below are resources that may be of assistance to you on a temporary basis. UOAA does not have ostomy supplies in the national office.

Manufacturers Assistance Programs

Please call directly to ask for information and to apply for these programs.

Alternative Local Resources

Contact the following types of agencies in your area, and ask if they maintain a “Donation Closet”.

Lower Cost Supply Options

The distributors listed below often sell supplies at lower prices, in some cases by not accepting insurance.

Helping Your Patients Recover From Ostomy Surgery

Many patients are worried about harming themselves by doing physical activity, when in fact there are so many benefits to being active. To address this, we developed the me+ recovery series which is based-on gentle movements - guiding users through their recovery after ostomy surgery and beyond.

Clinical Resource Specialists

Our Clinical Resource Specialists support you, as a clinician, by providing expertise on ConvaTec ostomy products and education on general ostomy care. Call 1-877-585-0470 or email, [email protected] to contact a specialist directly.

Supplies Assistance

If you do not have insurance coverage for your supplies, there are several organizations that can assist you: www.ostogroup.org will send donated supplies for the cost of shipping and handling. See Related Links for more details.

STOMA

Stoma is a non-profit organization that out sources donated ostomy supplies free of charge every three months to ostomates that are uninsured, underinsured, has no income, low or/ and hardship.

The Importance of Healthy Skin

On of the most important elements of regaining and maintaining a healthy, comfortable lifestyle after ostomy surgery is about taking good care of the skin around the stoma.

Quick Educational Tools

Helpful videos, guides, and care tips about what to expect with ostomy surgery, how to use ostomy products, and how to resume lifestyle activities with an ostomy.

Hollister Secure Start Services

Sign up and receive free personalized support regardless of the brand of ostomy products you use. You don't have to figure things out on your own — we're here to help.

Manufacturers Assistance Programs

Alternative Local Resources

Supplies Available with S + H

• Osto Group: 877-678-6690 Offers supplies for the cost of shipping and handling. They have a small all-volunteer staff, but if you call and leave a message, they will respond. Please be patient in awaiting a response. Ostomy 211: ostomysupplies.ostomy211.orgEmergency supply pantry. Donation requested to help cover expenses.

See more on ostomy.org

Lower Cost Supply Options