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Angela M. Caregiver

Medicare and Dressing Change Supplies

Fri, 03/22/2013 - 7:38AM

My son is an LVAD recipient. He is 26 years old and has been going strong for the majority of his 2 1/2 years since his surgery. Recently we have run into a wall with dressing supplies. His supplies used to be covered by a state insurance (medicaid) which we have been very thankful for. Now his coverage has switched due to being approved for medicare. The problem we have run into with this change is that his supplies are no longer covered. According to what we have been told by several wound care suppliers and by his VAD coordinators, medicare has decided it will not cover these costs for home wound care supplies. While I am extremely grateful the state insurance covered his VAD surgery and saved my sons' life (litterally by just a day or two), we suddenly find it very stressful and discouraging in our struggle to cover this, now vital, out of pocket expense. I have chronic systolic heart failure myself and our combined incomes consist of only our social security disability. Anyone know of wound care suppliers with really great prices? The worrying is slowly beginning to wear on us.

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Kevin H.

Fri, 03/29/2013 - 9:43AM

I can understand your situation. Our VAD coordinator warned my wife and I before we had the VAD put in that Medicare would not pay for dressing supplies. Luckily my wife and caregiver has a good job with good insurance and they cover the supplies. I would contact your coordinator and ask them. There are dressing supply sources that they should be able to help you with. Thankfully Medicare has been a help for me for paying for other expenses and pick up my copays and deductibles but not supplies. Have you thought about a medigap insurance for your son? It is a possibility that a medigap policy would help pay for the dressings. I met a friend who has an LVAD and he has worked out getting help on supplies with help from our LVAD coordinator.

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Naseem R.

Mon, 04/01/2013 - 6:52PM

Wound Care is the Supplier I use for my husband's every other day dressings. I order them every 3 months because I do not want to pay the $9.99 shipping cost each month. Our bill for 3 month supply is $110-$115. About 35 dollars a month. Their number is 731-643-6699. Naseem Rahim in Columbus, Ohio

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Angela M.

Mon, 07/22/2013 - 6:54PM

bishop246...thank you very much. I will contact them and see if my state is one of those included. Wish me luck! Could use a little good luck for a change.

Best wishes to all LVAD recipients, caretakers, family and friends. It's a long haul and can be quite exhausting at times. Hang in there....there are better days ahead.