Self Cath?

[jessied]

I have seen on here for a while people talking about self cath. I went to the Doctor on Wednesday and asked him about it. He said he thought it was a great idea and that it would save me money in the end. He is GREAT with my IC. The only thing that worries him is my insurance company. He said that i will have to call and talk to him that his office couldnt. If I call the insurance company how do I describe what i need and why I need them to pay for it. Does most of your insurance companies pay for it but is it even worth it to call them.

[curlycue]

Self Cath

Jessied ............ Dr.office did it all for me called in the prescription and the Lo-Fric caths. All I did was pick up the Meds at the pharmacy and I got a call from a rep, from Lo-Fric caths and they started sending them.

[kadi]

Are you talking about self-catheterizing for home instillations or in order to void?

For home instillations:
My insurance company insisted on a letter of medical necessity from the doctor in addition to the prescription. They also covered the syringes, catheters and medicine at a higher rate if I went through their "contract provider" pharmacy. Since they did not have listed the pharmacies that sold home instillation supplies, I asked for a "case manager nurse" to help me locate a contract pharmacy for the medicine & supplies I needed. After that, there was no problem with insurance coverage.

Good luck!

[jessied]

After hours on hold I finally got someone to talk to me at my insurance company. Might I say This is going to be complaicated. My Dr is going to have to right a letter of medical necessary. Then after they do that it will about 1mnth before they can tell me if they will even pay for it. Then once i get it approved I will have to learn to do the self cath myself. I am glad this will be saving me time and a lot of money or i would just say forget it.

[topcop229]

If you are just self-cathing and not instilling, you can still buy the supplies now to get you through the time being and then get coverage later. Really all you need is a cath (they are usually about $1 a piece at a med supply store), some KY or other lube, some wipes or other antibacterial method to clean yourself before you cath, and I use hand sanitizer as well before hand.

I reuse the little blue things that soak up fluids (like at the hospital, they call them chucks), but you could use an old towel just to put down so your bed or wherever you cath doesn't get dirty. Also, I just use an old plastic bowl to collect the urine and wash it every time.

As for the cath, you CAN reuse a cath. You should wash it in very hot water and antibacterial soap or even boil it. I know some may not agree with this, but I've been reusing caths for months now and my uro always comments on how "clean" my urine specimens are and how good and clean my cathing methods must be. So, it's up to you and maybe how susceptible you are to infection and how willing you are to really commit yourself to cleaning the cath well.

So, just for self-cathing, you could really buy everything you need for less than $10...probably less than $5 if you already have some of the supplies.

Good luck with your insurance!

[ihurttoo]

I am currently fighting my insurance company to get my supplies covered. They initially said they dont cover injectables for home use, (except for insulin.) I have filed an appeal and am waiting to hear back. I went ahead and bought the supplies. I use Lidocaine 2%, Sodium Bicarb, and Heparin, and 5 FR Caths. My instills run about $3 each. (I also sterilize and reuse my caths.)

I hope you can get your insurance to cover the supplies, but if not, I would go ahead and get it, if you can. They really help me alot. Usually, I get instant relief from the rescue instills. (The relief just doesnt last long enough for me.) But, lots of times I get enough relief with the instill, that I am able to skip my break-thru med. Hope they will work well for you too!!

Hugs,
Amy

[curlycue]

self Cath

I cant belive they make you go through all that. Crazy.

[L. Thomas]

My insurance will give me a 90 day supply for 30 day copay.
Lidocaine Sodiun Bicarbonate and heparin are all generic. Each is $5 so the medicines cost $15 for a 90 day supply. My uorgyn writes the RX for one a day.

My insurance covers catheters and syringes at 90% but not needles. I have to use a durable supply company for the supplies. Durable supply company sell things like walkers, crutches, elevated toilets.. The caterters are about $0.50 copay and the syringe is about $0.15. My durable supply provider sells the needles to me at cost, $0.10 each.

My urogyn says I can ues the catheter 4 times.

[curlycue]

Self Cath

That is cheap. I pay 57.00 and by the time I go to Loma Linda Hospital it runs me about 30.00 in gas plus the 57.00 and then my Elmiron is 68.00 and then I take Ambien and Vitamins it cost me about 300.00 a month, if my parents did not help me I dont know what I would do. I am exausted of every month paying for this stuff.

[WENDYK]

Dear Jessied,
I Wasn't Quite Sure Where To Post This Quivk Thread, But When I Read Self Cath I Thouight It Might Be Perfect. Anyway My Dr. Has Had Me Self Cath A Suppository Of Valium And Amitryptilene At Night. Well Two Nights Ago I Ahve Been So Busy I Was Just Exhausted, And Your Suppositories Have To Be Stored In The Fridge. Well Anyway I Wasn't Paying Attention, And I Know You Are Not Going To Believe This But I Accidentally Inserted The Suppository In My Urethra Instead Of My Vagina. Oh My God What Pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I Had A Appt With Dr The Next Day And Told Him The Story And He He Was So Shocked That Someone Could Do That That He Just Kept Laughing And Cussing And Shaking His Head. He Sid That Was The Best Story He Had Ever Heard, Which Would Have Been Great If It Hadn't Hurt So Damn Bad. Thankfully The Pain Has Finally Gotten Bearable Again, But I Thought That This Story Might Actually Lighten Someone Elses Day. I Can't Belive What A Ditz I Am. Hope You Get Your Questions Answered..

Regretfully Wendy In Denver,

[Nancypt]

curlycue

Does Loma Linda have an IC speciality clinic? I went to school there.
Nancy

[curlycue]

Ic

wow you attended Loma Linda, Thats awsome. The reason I go there is cuz the pharmacy there supplies me with the meds, Heparin Lidocaine Sodium Barc. No other pharmacy in my area for what ever reason I dont know cant supplies me with the stuff. it a 30 minute drive for me. Oh well got do what you have to.