Medicare Coverage of Ostomy Supplies

Gina Flores
Caregiver Advocate | Shield HealthCare
09/07/11  6:45 AM PST
i have received my postal packet

One of the most common questions about home medical supplies is “what’s covered?” Specifically, Medicare coverage of ostomy supplies. Because managing an ostomy at home involves ordering an assortment of products and accessories, knowing what to expect is helpful.

Qualifying For Ostomy Supplies

Original Medicare has two parts. Part A: Hospital Insurance that covers hospital, home health and skilled nursing stays and Part B: Medical Insurance that covers a variety of outpatient services including medical supplies, including ostomy supplies

Medicare eligibility and payment guidelines for Part B benefit:

  • Monthly Premium – automatically deducted from Social Security check and amount changes every January 1st
  • Annual Deductible – Medicare beneficiary is responsible for an annual deductible for Part B supplies or services beginning every January 1st
  • Allowable Fee – Value determined by Medicare for the supply or service
  • Medicare responsibility – 80% of allowable fee
  • Beneficiary responsibility – 20% of allowable fee

To qualify for ostomy supplies for care at home, you must have Medicare Part B coverage and your doctor’s documentation of your need for the supplies in your medical records. The doctor must also write you a prescription or order for the supplies clearly stating which supplies you will need. Your doctor will know what’s necessary to qualify for the type of supplies prescribed for you. You are allowed up to a three-month supply of ostomy products at one time. Ostomy supplies are covered for people with a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy.

How Much Ostomy Supplies Will Medicare Cover?

Medicare decides the amount of supplies you may order each time. The quantity of supplies needed by each person is decided by the type of ostomy, its location, its construction and the condition of the skin around the ostomy. Medicare may approve increased supplies if those supplies are deemed medically necessary by your doctor.

If you receive your Medicare through a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as an HMO or PPO), there may be additional benefits and other criteria for ordering your supplies. Make a point of checking with your health plan’s customer service department before ordering your supplies.

Typical Ostomy Product Quantity Guidelines

*Updated September 2018

Convex Inserts                          10 per month

Closed 1 piece Pouches          60 per month

Closed 2 piece Pouches          60 per month

Drainable 1 piece Pouches    20 per month

Drainable 2 piece Pouches    20 per month

Irrigation Bags & Tubing       2 every 6 months

Irrigation Cones                       2 every 6 months

Irrigation Sleeves                    4 per month

Non-sterile Gauze Pads          60 per month

Ostomy Belt                                1 per month

Ostomy Wafers/Barriers       20 per month

Pouch Deodorant                     4 oz. per month

Skin Barrier Liquid or Spray  2 oz. per month

Skin Barrier Wipes or Swabs  150 every 6 months

Stoma Caps                                  31 per month

Visit Shield HealthCare’s online reimbursement guide for more Medicare ostomy product coverage details.

For more information on Medicare coverage, visit mymedicare.gov for personalized information based on your individual benefits and available services.

For more information, see related ostomy product articles and ostomy resources here:

Shield HealthCare | Stronger with Shield


Serving Medicare Ostomates Nationwide
Dear Laura, I wear a two piece ostomy bag. I need help with concealing an ostomy bag. When I move around my shirt hikes up and the tip of the bag peeks out from under my shirt.
Tom
Hi Tom, I have a few suggestions that may help!
 
First, I'm wondering if a stealth belt would be a good option for you. This is a black belt that you can conveniently tuck your pouch...


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Comments

17 comments

  1. I don’t understand how Medicare can tell a person how many ostomy supplies he/she can have each month !! There is NO way of telling how many you will need each month because of leaks. Even if the skin around the stoma is ok, there can always be leaks! I have experienced this many times !

    So what is a person supposed to do if they run out? Paying out of pocket would be VERY expensive!

    Cindy

  2. Medicare does not restrict the amount of supplies you can have, or order. Never has. All they do is restrict the amount they will pay for. You can have, and use as many as you want, but they aren’t an unlimited ATM. If you want, there are many suppliers who will send you whatever you want to pay for above and Beyond what medicare will cover. If your upset because of the amount of supplies that YOU DONT HAVE TO PAY FOR is limited,hats another story altogether.

  3. No, you do not understand our frustration as a colostomy patient. I have used 10 bags within 2 days if I have the flu or a virus or leaks. Medicare is very unfair with colostomy patients. diabetic patients receive free shoes and other free supplies. I do not know who in medicare made the rules for colostomy patients but they are way off base.

  4. Will Shield accept a prescription from a doctor calling for what the doctor determines medically necessary even though it is more that medicare normally allows?

  5. What kind of note do I need from my Dr? Does
    he have to list what supplies I need- like numbers? How do I get the note to you?
    Thanks

  6. I have a stoma in the neck area. Medicare and Medicaid will only cover orders/ claims for diagnosis and codes for Colostomy, lleostomy, and Urostomy. Is there something I’m missing relating to coverage for unique stoma ostomy pouch supplies? I can’t afford the out of pocket cost. Has anyone had a appeal court hearing with any success?

  7. I have a revolutionary way of cleaning here ostomy pouch, you can even clean it in your car! Are used to have an ostomy pouch and that is why I invented this product, I could not stand the way it restricted my movement in going places even flying. How do I go about getting Medicare to cover this product so Ostomates we’re no longer have to sit at home why other people get go places. You can see what I mean if you go to my website sanitaryostomysystem.com

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