--
Finding a home medical supplier after spinal cord injury
When you experience a spinal cord injury (SCI), many things change at once — your body, lifestyle, and even your health insurance. It can be overwhelming and frustrating, but you're not alone. Nearly 300,000 Americans are living with an SCI and approximately 18,000 people become part of this community every year.
You have your own unique patient journey and needs, but there are many resources available to help you get the information and support you need, including healthcare providers, local and national organizations, and home medical suppliers like Edgepark.
Finding a home medical supplier
When you need medical supplies, you need them quickly. A good home-based supplier can fulfill your order, bill your insurance, and promptly (and discreetly) deliver your supplies to your doorstep.
The types of supplies you need depend on the nature of your spinal cord injury and degree of paralysis. This could range from incontinence products, catheters and bowel supplies, wound care supplies, or durable medical equipment.
When you're in a hospital or receiving home healthcare services, your provider is responsible for ensuring supply needs are met. After discharge, it's your responsibility, so it's important to have a trustworthy home medical supplier that can meet all your needs and help you navigate complex insurance issues.
Edgepark has nearly a century of experience helping people get the medical supplies they need and is a one-stop-shop with more than 40,000 unique products from 700 manufacturers, including, but not limited to:
Urological care supplies
Bowel care supplies
Ostomy supplies
Wound care supplies
Wound therapy devices
Our knowledgeable Customer Care Specialists can help you find products that meet your needs and are covered by your insurance.
Getting insurance to cover your medical supplies
Medicare and most private insurers will cover at least some of the costs of your medical supplies. How much they pay depends on your plan, including your:
Co-pay. This is the flat fee that you pay upfront each time you go to your doctor or fill a prescription.
Deductible. This is the amount you pay annually for medical services, prescriptions, or supplies. Depending on your plan, you may or may not have to meet your deductible before insurance covers your supplies.
Coinsurance. This is the portion of a medical cost you pay after your deductible is met.
For your insurer to pay, you must use approved products and order from a supplier in their network. Edgepark accepts Medicare assignment on most categories and 1,300 private health plans. We'll help you understand your benefits, explain exactly what's covered, and handle the insurance paperwork for you.
Transitioning to Medicare after a spinal cord injury
Most SCI patients are considered disabled and may qualify for Medicare regardless of age. If you're currently on a private insurance plan, you'll transition to Medicare once you apply and are approved for disability services.
Medicare Part A covers hospital expenses while Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical services and "medically necessary" supplies. Part B will likely cover some of your medical supply costs. If you have a supplemental Medicare policy, you may have no financial responsibility.
Changing insurance, including switching to Medicare, can mean a change to the supply mix covered and/or the clinical documentation required to continue coverage. Edgepark will work with you to prepare for and navigate this new, complex process and ensure you continue to have access to the supplies you need.
Resources and support for SCI community
You may need more than medical supplies after a spinal cord injury. The following organizations can provide information, resources, referrals, and even financial support.
United Spinal Association
United Spinal Association is a national advocacy group that provides information about employment, housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and independent living. You can join their online community, which features interactive chat rooms, message boards, and virtual support groups.
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation funds innovative research aimed at curing spinal cord injury. The Foundation's National Paralysis Resource Center is a free source of comprehensive information about living with SCI. Their "information specialists" can help you craft a personalized plan and approach to adapting to life with SCI. The Center also offers grants, peer and family support groups, and other resources.
Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC)
The MSKTC is a federal research center that translates health information into easy-to-understand language and formats for people with SCI, traumatic brain injury, and burns. You can get information on everything from adaptive sports, to depression, to driving in different formats, including printable PDF, videos, and slideshows.
These are just a few of the many resources available to help you adapt to life with a spinal cord injury. Edgepark is another, and our knowledgeable Customer Care Specialists are ready to help during this transition.
Call Edgepark today at 1.800.321.0591 to find out how we can support you.
