Help I am losing my insurance

• By dollyme (Inactive)
• Reply 3162321
• June 25, 2012 at 2:35 pm
• Report post

Beth, wow I am so very very sorry to hear you are losing insurance coverage. I just bought some supplies from Medicalmega medical supplies for a friend who does not have insurance either. I got waffers a box of five for 28 dollars and change verses 46 dollars and change. That is a big difference. I went on line and checked every where I could to get the best deal for the product. Try a search for what you need and see if you can find the best deal. Medicalmega claims to have the best prices. For me with what I wanted it was. I wish you the best. Blessing back at you. By the way Randy is the guy to give you information on getting supplies,

• By Catlyn717
• Reply 3162785
• June 25, 2012 at 5:58 pm
• Report post

Read some of the other posts. I'm sure I have seen links to help with situations like this.
Best wishes
cathy

• By dollyme (Inactive)
• Reply 3163819
• June 26, 2012 at 5:14 am
• Report post

Beth, I was telling my husband about you getting dropped by your insurance co. We were wondering how can they do that to you. Is that legal to do such a thing? Gosh that is so horrible and my heart goes out to you. Did you try contacting some of the companies for help with your supplies? Randy knows so much about how and who to call you may want to ask him for advice.
God bless you sweetheart.

• By ashchem
• Reply 3164326
• June 26, 2012 at 9:57 am
• Report post

Did you applied for disability? If not, you should ask your doctor to do it for you. Maybe your doctor can also suggest you how to deal your insurance company.
You may also try to contact you regular supplier for suggestions. They usually are ready to help because they don't want to lose customers.
Here is the link to a convatec program which could be helpful : http://www.convatec.com/en/cvtus-ostomyprus/cvt-prtprogdet/0/detail/1987/15 37/4599/patient-assistance-program-ostomy-care.html

• By Wilma827
• Reply 3166800
• June 27, 2012 at 8:57 am
• Report post

Liz,

That is my fear as I am sure everyone's! Do you mean that the HMO is no longer being offered through your work? Otherwise, I agreed with the others in that I would be calling them! I know Edgepark is who I use and I know that they are PRICY! Can't believe the prices they charge!!!! Good luck, I'll be thinking of you

• By Beth42
• Reply 3166965
• June 27, 2012 at 10:07 am
• Report post

Hello to all, Thanks for all your replies, the reason my insurance is using, is that they didn't get the information they need for my renewal , I faxed everything to them but they say , sorry we didn't get it, Have made many phone calls, but just get the run around, Word is that HMO s tend to do that to people like me , that are a high pay out for them, some how a loop hole is found ,and out we go!! It's wrong in every way, I did find that if you are with out insurance for 6 month , there is a mager medical ppo. Plan I can get on, It is for people with pre existing cond. so Unless some thing else comes up that's my only option , As we walk this some times rough road together , may we all get stronger!! Blessing, Liz

• By ashchem
• Reply 3167112
• June 27, 2012 at 11:06 am
• Report post

Do you have a copy of the fax you sent to your HMO office with the fax receipt? If you sent them all the documents, but they just "lost" them, you probably can take some legal actions against them. It doesn't look like, what they did to you was legal.
I would suggest you to talk with your doctor, contact Convatec, and maybe to find a legal advise.
If nothing will help and you will need to wait for a new insurance program, I can send you about 30 Convatec one-piece bags. Combined with their patient assistance program it should help you during the waiting period.

• By Lexiabc123
• Reply 3167265
• June 27, 2012 at 12:06 pm
• Report post

I have about 5 or 6 boxes of Coloplast flanges and all u would have to order is bags. I can't use them anymore they gave me a rash. I am so sorry about your insurance.

• By RandyHenniger
• Reply 3167302
• June 27, 2012 at 12:19 pm
• Report post

Dear Beth42,
So sorry for the hassle from your HMO. As many others have said, it is unfair what the health insurance companies do to reduce costs. In many cases, it is illegal and a letter from a legal advisory person at American Cancer Society's legal aid group might help get things turned around (www.cancer.org)

Here are some links for low cost/free supplies:
Friends of Ostomates: Free ostomy supplies for those who can't afford them
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Friends-of-Ostomates-Worldwide-USA-FOW/3 53381858012744

www.ostogroup.org
This website has ostomy supplies for just the price of shipping and handling. They don't always have everything in stock, but it's good resource if you don't have insurance.
Ostogroup is a great resource. 1 877 678-6690 www.ostogroup.org

Also Convatec is another resource for supplies and ostomy support. 1 800 422-8811 www.convatec.com

Local UOAA support groups often have a stock of supplies available locally (www.ostomy.org)

I also have some extra Supplies including Convatec Natura 1" stoma precut wafers, paste, skin prep wipes which I can send you. If you use a two piece system. I also have some pouch liners I can send which can help reduce the number of pouches needed. If you are interested in these supplies, please send me a private message with your mailing address.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Be WELL!
Randy
randy.henniger@gmail.com

• By dollyme (Inactive)
• Reply 3167435 · In reply to 3167302 by RandyHenniger
• June 27, 2012 at 1:13 pm
• Report post

Randy, you are God sent to so many. May God bless you

• By RandyHenniger
• Reply 3167459
• June 27, 2012 at 1:23 pm
• Report post

Dear Dollyme,
Thank you and right back to you!
Be WELL,
Randy

• By JAKELEGS
• Reply 3174133
• June 29, 2012 at 11:39 pm
• Report post

You should look into www.ostogroup.org it is a site that offers supplies to those that DO NOT have insurance. If I remember correctly they only charge shipping. I have some supplies that you may be able to use. About 25-30 Convatec 2-3/4 closed in with filter and some Hollister 18194 lock and roll. I do not have any flanges, they gave me 20 pouches but only 5 flanges therefore I used them all. I tried to use these when I first got my double barreled osotomy. Could not keep the flange attached so now I use use Hollister 8631 one piece and seem to keep it glued sometime four days. Send me a private message if you would like them.

• By cancancer
• Reply 3174222
• June 30, 2012 at 12:39 am
• Report post

What a horror to be dropped. My insurance tried to cancel me, after I had paid them for two months ahread ... Shady insurance companies! Call the HMO and DO NOT let them blame YOU for THEIR loss of your information. They are committing fraud, arent't they?? I think this is terrible and should be reported to someone ... I know Livestrong.com has legal advisors. Contact them today. Well... Monday.

• By Beth42
• Reply 3174415
• June 30, 2012 at 6:16 am
• Report post

I just what to sent a huge heart felt thanks to you all for your posts !!! I have made so many calls to that crazy ins comp this last few days!! But they all have the same its not our falt story---have left many messages ,,,they dont call you back,,, they are a heartless bunch, seems our gov. Is there to collect our heard earned tax dollars , but when you get sick and need them, They run and hide!! I. Have enough ostomy supplys for. 4or5 months yet, but want to look for a cheaper place to buy , will. Look on the web links you all sent me and hopefully find some thing. Best to you all!!

• By James-R
• Reply 3175848
• June 30, 2012 at 7:14 pm
• Report post

I sometimes scour the Ebay website for deals.Even though I have insurance,I have found supplies,a few times,at very low prices.Low enough to warrant buying them rather than paying my insurance deductible.Many sellers are stuck with supplies due to changing circumstances.

• By CarolJS
• Reply 3176986
• July 1, 2012 at 11:02 am
• Report post

Hi, just wanted to let you know that Osto group really is a great company. Edgepark recommended them to me when I lost my insurance. They are friendly, helpful, and deliver quickly. The cost of shipping is much less than a regular purchase. The only thing is you have to choose from the inventory they have on hand. Sometimes they didn't have my style and I had to try others, but they were always comparable and if they don't work you can send them back for credit.
I also used Best Buy Medical to purchase some supplies when I couldn't get what I needed at Ostogroup. They are less than Edgepark, but more than Ostogroup.
I panicked when I lost my insurance and was so worried about what would happen. It's good to know that there are organizations out there to support those of us in need. Don't worry, it will be ok.
Good luck and best wishes,
Carol

• By rogtondak
• Reply 3185499
• July 4, 2012 at 4:38 pm
• Report post

Try jrsmedical.com they cheaper than edge park.i have been using them for
About 4 years

• By dollyme (Inactive)
• Reply 3298629
• August 17, 2012 at 1:02 pm
• Report post

For all our ostomy people with out insurance there is a vast amount of information here. Even though this is an older discussion it can help some more peole with out insurance and need supplies.
God bless
Dolly

• By Sheri213
• Reply 3300297
• August 18, 2012 at 2:33 am
• Report post

I'm sorry it happened to you, it happened to me and I was lost. I contacted convatec and
they have an program called access. It saved me! Now by joining in, i've learned of some
Insurance company offering for pre existence coverage
"God Bless"

• By Beth42
• Reply 3300357
• August 18, 2012 at 5:16 am
• Report post

Thanks to all for careing, and all the good, info, yes, I really do feel lost, it's first you fight to get your health back, then you, get dropped by the insurance com, ..but this to will pass, there hads to be some thing good ahead!! Blessings to you all, keep fighting!! Beth