Affordable Out-of-Pocket Medical Supplies Recommendations?

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7
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1185
MildCapricorn76
May 13, 2024 11:23 pm

Any recommendations for cheaper places for buying supplies out of pocket?

Insurance only covers bags/wafers, but I need powder, Eakin seals, etc. Tried ordering from Amazon; quality was terrible.

I am in the US.

Thanks.

Happytostillbehere
May 14, 2024 12:16 am

Maybe it's just me, but there's something morally wrong with the fact that in this country people in need of quality of life medical supplies, including pharmaceuticals and not just ostomates, have to do without because of the outrageous cost associated with them. We have to do better!

iMacG5

When I found this web site, I didn't think its name had anything to do with actually meeting an ostomate but I later learned there were some folks who did meet and develop relationships. How good is that? That wasn't my intention. I definitely didn't want anyone to meet me. I felt broken and wasn't prepared to express those feelings. I thought it was a place where ostomates wrote about themselves, posed questions, shared thoughts, told jokes and, sometimes, just vented. I thought of it as a community of folks with similar interests and various degrees of experience. Mostly I found some of the most caring, selfless, wise and understanding people I ever imagined. I was so impressed with some of the writings; not because of their literary value but the way in which they addressed such a very complex environment. I read hundreds of exchanges and admired the way folks cared for each other. I became hopeful with my own situation and looked forward to the next day's offerings. Certainly some contributors stood out with their experience or particular skills in addressing some things but it seemed like a total effort with synergistic results. I felt blessed to have found this site. I still do.
Mike

Axl
May 14, 2024 4:15 am

Not enough politicians have ostomies over there. When they do, your dilemma will change. I agree the medical system in the US is dreadful.

AlexT
May 14, 2024 8:10 am

If it was less about money and more about healthcare, nobody would have issues getting their stuff. But, it's all about money so... 🤷‍♂️

mild_mannered_super_hero
May 14, 2024 11:45 am
Very helpful

Have you tried eBay? I buy all my supplies there. I normally pay about 1/3 of retail. The key to eBay is to buy before you run out.

 

How to Get Back to Activity after Ostomy Surgery with Kimberly | Hollister

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Itsme58
May 14, 2024 12:17 pm

Good morning, sometimes people will take some of their supplies to the medical supplier. For example, I get my supplies from Binsons, and one day I needed powder when I was there because my insurance pays for an extra amount of powder. I get four bottles a year. It's really dumb, but sometimes people take their extra stuff that they don't need anymore, that they haven't opened or used, to the medical supply and they donate it to somebody who needs it. They have a basket with donated stuff in it, and they had the powder and they said, "Here, someone donated their excess powder. You can have these." So maybe if you go to your local medical supplier or something, maybe they have a bin of donated things that you might be able to use. Try checking that out too.

Have a wonderful day.

MildCapricorn76
May 14, 2024 4:54 pm

I haven't actually. It never occurred to me they would have supplies! Thanks for the idea.

aTraveler
May 17, 2024 8:31 am
Very helpful

Best Buy has good out-of-pocket prices:

https://bestbuymedicalsupplies.com/collections/ostomy-supplies