How do i get medicare to pay for incontinence supplies

Does Medicare Pay for Incontinence Supplies Like Adult Diapers?

Key Takeaways

  • Original Medicare does not cover incontinence supplies like adult diapers.

  • Some Medicare Advantage plans help pay for incontinence supplies through an over-the-counter stipend.

  • Medicaid may help pay for incontinence supplies like adult diapers. Individuals not on Medicaid but with limited resources may be able to get assistance from community support programs.

With few exceptions, Original Medicare does not pay for incontinence supplies like adult diapers. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer a prepaid debit card to pay for over-the-counter items like toothpaste, deodorant and adult diapers.

Find a local Medicare plan that fits your needs

Does Medicare Pay for Diapers for Adults?

The Urology Care Foundation estimates that urinary incontinence impacts at least one-quarter of men and women in the United States. Adult diapers are the most common way to guard against uncomfortable accidents.

Original Medicare may provide coverage only if your incontinence supplies are deemed medically necessary as a part of long-term care.

Does Medicare Help Pay for Incontinence Supplies?

While Original Medicare doesn’t cover incontinence supplies, some Medicare Advantage plans provide a monthly or quarterly stipend to purchase over-the-counter supplies like adult diapers. Your plan determines if you must order through the Medicare supply catalog.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) combines the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Along with including Part A and B benefits, Medicare Part C often bundles additional services like dental, hearing, vision and prescription drug coverage.

Does Medicare cover incontinence supplies?

Medicare does not cover incontinence supplies unless medically necessary. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer prepaid funds, which you can choose to spend on incontinence supplies.

Are you eligible for cost-saving Medicare subsidies?

How can I get Diapers Covered by Insurance?

Some states’ Medicaid programs may provide coverage for these items. Medicaid requires a doctor’s order that adult diapers are medically necessary.

Each state has its plan for administering Medicaid, a federal/state program founded alongside Medicare in 1965 that helps those facing a financial need and/or disability regardless of age.

How can I get Free Incontinence Supplies?

If you’re able to verify income status — i.e. on Medicaid, Food Stamps — you may be able to receive assistance from a community diaper bank designed to deliver these products for free to individuals in need.

If you’re a caregiver for someone with low-income status, you may be able to apply for a caregiver grant, which provides funds that can pay for adult diapers. Options like the National Family Caregiver Support Program may be able to help.

What extra benefits and savings do you qualify for?

Does Medicare Part D Cover Incontinence Supplies?

Part D does not cover incontinence supplies. Typically, if you have Original Medicare Part A and Part B, you can add Part D prescription coverage. Many Medicare Advantage plans include Medicare Part D.

However, some Medicare Advantage plans provide a specific amount of funds that can be used toward an over-the-counter stipend or prepaid debit card. These funds are for your personal care items like toothpaste, aspirin or incontinence supplies.

Sources

How do i get medicare to pay for incontinence supplies

  • Written by

    Terry Turner

    Terry Turner

    Senior Financial Writer and Financial Wellness Facilitator

    Terry Turner has more than 30 years of journalism experience, including covering benefits, spending and congressional action on federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare. He is a Certified Financial Wellness Facilitator through the National Wellness Institute and the Foundation for Financial Wellness and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®).

    Read More

  • Published: May 14, 2021
  • 3 min read time
  • This page features 9 Cited Research Articles

Cite Us

APA Turner, T. (2022, May 31). How to Save on Incontinence Supplies Original Medicare Won’t Cover. RetireGuide.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022, from https://www.retireguide.com/news/incontinence-supplies-medicare-wont-cover/

MLA Turner, Terry. "How to Save on Incontinence Supplies Original Medicare Won’t Cover." RetireGuide.com, 31 May 2022, https://www.retireguide.com/news/incontinence-supplies-medicare-wont-cover/.

Chicago Turner, Terry. "How to Save on Incontinence Supplies Original Medicare Won’t Cover." RetireGuide.com. Last modified May 31, 2022. https://www.retireguide.com/news/incontinence-supplies-medicare-wont-cover/.

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How do i get medicare to pay for incontinence supplies

Adult diaper prices have increased nearly 9 percent over the past year, and manufactures say more price hikes are imminent.

Unfortunately for the more than 25 million Americans who experience transient or chronic incontinence, Medicare does not cover disposable incontinence supplies such as absorbent pads and adult diapers.

Original Medicare — Medicare Part A and Part B — will help cover certain medical devices or durable medical equipment used to treat incontinence, including urinary catheters under certain circumstances. But the federal health insurance program only covers medical procedures, items and supplies that are considered medically necessary.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans on Medicare who are paying out-of-pocket weekly or monthly for adult diapers, pads or other disposable incontinence supplies, it may save you a good deal of pocket money to know what options may be available to help.

Will Medigap or Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Disposable Incontinence Supplies?

Medigap — Medicare Supplement insurance — plans will not cover disposable incontinence supplies. But some Medicare Advantage plans will.

Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurers. These plans are required by law to cover everything Original Medicare does, but they are allowed to provide additional benefits. Some plans will cover incontinence supplies.

Medicare Advantage plans differ depending on where you live and what plan you have. You should check with your plan’s administrator to see if your Medicare Advantage plan covers the specific supplies you need or already use.

Where to Find Help Paying for Disposable Incontinence Supplies

If you need help paying for incontinence supplies, you may have to look to other resources ranging from nonprofits to private insurance to your state’s Medicaid program.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint state and federal program to help pay medical bills for people with limited income and resources. If you meet dual eligibility requirements, you can enroll in both Medicare and Medicaid.

Each state can set many of its own rules for what Medicaid will cover, but a majority of states provide some level of Medicaid coverage for things like adult briefs, bladder control pads or other incontinence supplies.

You will need to check with your state Medicaid office about your eligibility and exactly what incontinence supplies may be covered.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs does provide adult diapers as part of its VA health benefits. But it typically provides a standard issue type of adult diaper.

If you want a brand-name product — such as Depend or Attends — your doctor will have to provide the VA with a prescription or a statement of medical justification explaining the medical necessity as to why you need a particular brand.

Veteran-Directed Care — also called Home and Community Based Services — is a VA program that provides financial assistance to veterans. It’s designed to give vets the flexibility to determine how to best spend the aid on their particular needs. If you qualify, you can use the assistance toward incontinence supplies.

Charitable Organizations

Diaper banks may be able to help when you cannot afford adult diapers. Most diaper banks focus on infants, but some provide adult diapers as well.

Find an Adult Diaper Bank

The Simon Foundation for Continence maintains and routinely updates a directory of adult diaper banks by state. Your local United Way office may also be able to help you find an adult diaper bank near you.

Diaper banks sometimes distribute adult incontinence supplies through food banks, senior centers, houses of worship or other community resource centers.

FSA, HSA and Employer Insurance Plans

The majority of employer insurance plans provided through major insurers do not cover most incontinence supplies, even though they may cover catheters. You should check with your plan’s administrator to see if the supplies you need are covered.

If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Savings Account (HSA), you can use the pre-tax money you put into your account to pay for incontinence supplies, including adult diapers and pads.

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How can I get free incontinence supplies?

Diaper banks are charitable organizations that provide diapers and incontinence supplies for low income individuals and families in their community. In most cases, these supplies are distributed by the organization for free.

What are incontinence supplies considered?

Incontinence Supplies are diapers, briefs (protective underwear), incontinence pads, (liners), under pads, wipes, and gloves needed by a child age 4-20 years who is certified by a physician to be incontinent of bladder and/or bowel.

Is incontinence covered by insurance?

Currently, Medicare and the majority of commercial insurance plans do not list incontinence supplies as a covered benefit for their members. However, if you are a Medicare recipient with Medicaid secondary, you may be eligible for 100% coverage of incontinence products.

What is the most absorbent incontinence product?

Best Overall: Abena Abri-Form Premium Incontinence Briefs These powerful briefs earned a spot as our top pick because they can absorb up to 4,000ml, or 135 ounces of fluid, which is six times more than the standard bladder capacity of 400 to 600ml.