incont supplies

[yayanurse]

Can anyone point me to where I might find what incont supplies are supposed to be supplied to home pts. Is the agency responsible for supplying unlimited supply of briefs to pts?

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

No, I don't believe the agency is responsible for these supplies. However, our agency receives many donations of these supplies and we keep large tubs of them in our storage room to use for those patients who are most needy. :)

[cookie102]

medicare will pay for one diaper/chux a day under the PPS system, most agencies i have worked for don't even do that as they find the diapers tend to "walk" out the door...hospice on the other hand does supply incontinence supplies

[annaedRN, RN]

If I am not mistaken ( and I very well could be:bugeyes: ) if some one is incontinent as a result of a disease/injury - SCI, ALS..and thus is not able to have a bladder trained then Medicare could pay for incont supplies. But if it is a secondary "happening" such as an Alzheimer patient forgetting to go or a CHF patient on LAsix not making it on time..then no, it technically is not to be covered. That has been my understanding anyway. We have a free room too...so I will take Depends or chux out to our "economically challenged" patients - it is nice to be able to help them out with that expense when I can!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Incontinent supplies are NOT a covered expense under any Major insurance plan nor Medicare. Some agencies supply chux as part of "non routine supplies" to use as barrier for while doing wound care.

Our non profit uses good old plastic grocery bag as barrier...

HOWEVER, some states Medicaid plans do provide Chux and incontinent briefs to members with Permanent Urinary Incontinence as measure of protection against skin breakdown. Those patients dual eligible (both Medicare and Medicaid) qualify. A Doctor/NP prescription is required.

Your local DME company can provide you with info regarding your states Medicaid benefits.

NJ and PA both cover---PA will also pay for skin barrier cream as ounce of prevention cost effective over decubitus care.

[annaedRN, RN]

"

HOWEVER, some states Medicaid plans do provide Chux and incontinent briefs to members with Permanent Urinary Incontinence as measure of protection against skin breakdown. Those patients dual eligible (both Medicare and Medicaid) qualify. "

Thanks for the clarification - I think that was where I was trying to go....I do realize if it was 100% covered by Medicare that we would have to supply them during out active cert periods - just like colostomy supplies- and we definitely do not bring them out except from our free room "stuff."

[caliotter3]

I have never worked for an agency that provided supplies other than occasionally gloves. Incontinent supplies as well as DME is provided by the insurance payor who is handling the case. Some patient's family's will buy some things as they can afford it, which is not often.