Convatec Supplies - Financial Aid for Low-Income Individuals

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Daughter
Nov 12, 2023 12:29 pm

Hi everyone,

For anyone who uses 180 Medical and has low income and health insurance, you can apply for financial aid! They don't publicly advertise this, but I found out when I expressed my concerns about not being able to pay for the supplies.

Initially, my mom was using Medline as her supplier. Then we switched in April of this year because they no longer accepted her insurance. We were using Byram Healthcare from April until last month. I was a little upset that Byram said they can no longer sell the adhesive remover spray to us. They said even though insurance pays them, they felt it wasn't enough so now they can only sell us wipes. I don't really like wipes, so I reached out to Convatec to let them know, and they suggested I call 180 Medical. I wasn't really all that happy with 180 Medical when I was shopping around for a supplier a year ago, but I decided to give them another try. I am so happy I did!

First, their supplies seem to be cheaper! I ordered two boxes of pouches, one box of wafers, and two bottles of adhesive remover spray, and the total for everything was only $36 total.

With Byram Healthcare, two boxes of pouches alone were $20.28. Two boxes of wafers were $34.32 initially but then went up to $35.60.

I expressed to 180 Medical that we were looking for programs to assist with co-payment on medical supplies, but every co-payment relief program I called advised me they don't cover durable medical equipment. They cover things like medications, premiums, co-pays for doctor visits. The representative at 180 Medical said since I brought it up, she can send me an application to fill out for financial aid. My mom's monthly income does not allow her to pay for any supplies. I pay for them. Although they didn't ask for my income, just my mom's.

We got approved for a lower out-of-pocket expense. So instead of paying $36 for those supplies mentioned before, we only have to pay $5. Just wanted to share for those struggling like me and my mom.

Hisbiscus
Nov 12, 2023 4:36 pm

Thank you so much for the information, as I recently lost my coverage. I feel I would qualify and will call them tomorrow about this. I'm not sure they will cover mine due to the cost, as one box of five costs $56 apiece, but it's certainly worth a shot.

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gentlejohn
Nov 13, 2023 1:43 am

Byram is handy because they file insurance. I would not buy anything from them that is not covered by insurance. I don't know, but there may be insurance limitations on the adhesive remover sprays. If I buy a supply that I have to pay for, I get it from Amazon, which so far has been less expensive. Safe n' Simple is also a generic brand that is available in lieu of Hollister and Convatec.

Daughter
Nov 14, 2023 11:34 pm
Reply to Hisbiscus

I don't know if you would qualify because they told me you need insurance to qualify, but maybe if you speak to billing directly, they can somehow override it. Good luck!

Daughter
Nov 14, 2023 11:41 pm
Reply to gentlejohn

Gentlejohn,

 

Thank you for the reply! We only ever ordered items covered by insurance. In my April order, we were able to get the adhesive remover spray and insurance did pay 80%. We had to pay 20%. On our last order last month, Byram said they no longer would sell it to us. We opened an account with 180 Medical and they said my mom can get two bottles as per her insurance. Hopefully, things continue to go smoothly with them.

On a side note, I never receive email notifications when someone replies to my posts. I sent customer service an email weeks ago and got no response. Do you get notifications when you get responses? My settings are set up to receive emails.

 

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Hisbiscus
Nov 19, 2023 3:27 am

Yes you were right in that you have to have insurance for the discount. They could not help me out.