In Fort Worth, Texas, where I am, it seems impossible to see a WOCN for help outside of the hospital setting. This makes it incredibly expensive! ...even after insurance! One visit ends up costing me at least $226 out of pocket. This is crazy. I am wondering how it is for the rest of you? Can any of you see one outside of the hospital?
Lisbett
Hi, sorry you are having such a hard time finding a WOCN. Have you tried to find an Ostomy Management Specialist (OMS)? An OMS is a trained ostomy clinician also. Have you tried to find one online? Perhaps the problem you are having is one that can be solved by sending photos or with a phone call.
Wishing you the best,
Joy
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Thanks for your kind reply, Joy. I looked at your profile and saw that you really are an angel of relief. Too bad you are not here in Fort Worth. I just tried doing a search with what you recommended and I only came up with 1 home health care business that does wound ostomy care....but at home.
I have decided to try something very different. As I am dealing with an antibiotic-resistant infection and after taking over 7 rounds of antibiotics during 6 months and still have it, I have now made up my mind to see a specialist in Chinese medicine. Doing more of the same thing just doesn't sound like the ticket.
Bless you, Joy!
Some infections are really hard to get rid of and take months of antibiotics. Are you seeing an infectious disease doctor?
No. Just my internist and I was seeing a WOCN at the hospital. The infection was identified and the corresponding antibiotics tried. And tried....and tried. I did some research myself on what it was and that's when I saw it being one of the antibiotic-resistant ones.
I go to the ostomy clinic that is located at one of the local hospitals. After insurance, it was only $40!
An ostomy nurse always attends the UOAA support group meetings. Hopefully, there is one in Fort Worth. www.ostomy.org
40!! Now that is more like it. May I ask what insurance you use? My clinic is in a hospital which is what makes it so expensive. I have Blue Cross.
This is interesting.
Pinky, I am VP of our support group and we sometimes have a nurse present, but not for the kind of consult I need. :(
My nurse is part of the colorectal unit in the hospital where I had my surgery. The visits cost around $90. I have Blue Cross also. I did go to see a nurse at a closer hospital and that cost was over $200 and the care wasn't as good as at the surgical hospital.
I do live in the Boston area so we have a lot of choices when it comes to WOCNs.
There is a directory on the UOAA site that may help you find one. Also, the charge you experienced may have been a "first timers" charge - follow up with the hospital and see if subsequent visits are less costly.
Good luck, Marisa
That is interesting, Marisa. If I understand correctly, the nurse at the Colorectal unit is also a WOCN?
I don't think I have an option. Also, the $226 out of pocket I mentioned was on average for each visit over multiple visits. :(( That is at the Ostomy and Wound Care Clinic at a local hospital.
Hi Vikinga. In Canada, we have a number of such services which are covered by the provincial ministries of health.
Have you tried connecting with your ostomy supplier/provider/retailer? What about going on the manufacturer's website? I recently pinged customer service on the Hollister site in Canada and they had an ET phone me immediately (an employee of Hollister with an ET designation). She was able to get me through my issues promptly.
Great advice going through the Ostomy Ass'n.
Thanks Pat in Pickering,
I am also Canadian! What you say makes me want to move back NOW! Unfortunately, I am doing wound care because of an infected sore under the flange, so a "phone call" sometimes just doesn't cut it. Although at this point I have learned just about what I need to as far as bags go. (Always open to new suggestions!) 226 is just too much for a consult on bag wear! Then I pay my doctor after that, then the prescription!
I have now been to see a Nationally Certified Chinese acupuncturist and Chinese herbal doctor who is an MD (China). She is working with me to strengthen my immune system to fight off the infection. So far so good. The sore actually looks less angry and a little bit smaller :) With her Chinese herbal meds and over an hour treatment of acupuncture, I am paying an average of 100 a visit.
Still would like to find other choices for Ostomy nurses for those issues.
