Medical Supplies when patient is on home health

[spejsa]

When a patient has Medicare and has home health, home health is to provide supplies to the patient, correct? Well, to make a long story short I had a patient who had a brand new colostomy in March, 2010. I went out and assessed the patient 2 days out of hospital and she had received a start up kit from Hollister (Thank God!)... I went ahead and a day later asked the office to order wafers, bags, etc... The woman who orders supplies only orders on Tuesdays and would not order until the following Tuesday so the patient had to use the samples until then, which was ok with me. Then, the next week came and I saw no supplies... The woman was reusing the bags and using a toothbrush to clean out? so they were breaking down a little... But, I had no supplies. We live ina small area so I did talk to somebody at the hospital and they would not give us any supplies as they stated the patient was no longer in the hospital (which I understood). Then, I had a contact that had worked with the patient in the hospital before she went home, set up Hollister, etc. and called. Guess what? It was the CNO of the facility where she was in the hospital? Luckily though, she gave me 2 bags to bring to the woman.. Mind you, I just got paid mileage to go to the hospital. That was over a week ago... Then, I have waited and waited to get the supplies and did get some bags but they were the one piece, not the two piece.... Ugghhh... So, I went ahead and DC'd her and told her to get with Hollister to order her supplies. She was going to the country club twice a week for functions and golfing, so I cannot justify saying she is homebound. But, I have heard in the past that some home health agencies just have supplies shipped to patient's homes. Does anybody have experience with this?

[caliotter3]

I have had patients buy supplies and pay for them out of pocket because they didn't like the brand or type sent out by the supply source. I have had patients who run out way before the date for new supplies and those who have supplies overflowing their living space. I think your lady in the office who only orders on Tuesdays should make exceptions for the first order of a new patient or for emergency orders. She ought to be aware of the turn around time and that waiting up to seven days before she orders again is unacceptable for the patients that she works for. JMO