At the start of a new year, many people may be facing changes to their insurance plans. Whether you’re starting coverage with a new healthcare insurer or rolling over to a new year with new deductibles, you probably have some questions. For example, is the Medicare deductible going up in the new year? Will my insurance still cover my catheters?
At 180 Medical, we train our employees to be absolute experts in our industry. That includes our insurance specialists who understand the ins and outs of coverage for catheter supplies. So let’s go over some of those common questions related to insurance and catheter coverage.
Is 180 Medical in-network with my insurance?
As the leading provider of catheter supplies in America, we are contracted with hundreds of insurance plans, including Medicare, state Medicaid plans, and many private insurance plans. For example, we’re in-network with BlueCross BlueShield, AARP, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Covenant Health, Humana, and Tricare – just to name a few. That number is constantly growing too!
If you ever want to know if we’re in-network, our specialists can let you know. We’ll verify your plan to determine whether or not we’re contracted with your new insurer. We’ll also go over your benefits and co-pays (if any) in full so you can feel confident in understanding your catheter coverage.
What types of catheters am I eligible to receive through my new insurance?
One of the more common questions related to catheter coverage is which types of catheters you may be able to receive. For example, will you be eligible for more advanced catheter products, such as hydrophilic catheters or closed system catheter kits?
We can’t give a definitive answer because not everyone’s catheter coverage is the same. However, once we have your updated information, we can verify your coverage for catheters. Then, according to your doctor’s prescription and your insurance coverage, we’ll present you with your options.
Many health insurance plans cover straight intermittent catheters with catheter lubricating jelly in sterile packets or tubes.
Also, some plans also cover no-touch catheter options or catheters with bags attached, which can especially be helpful for people prone to UTIs (urinary tract infections), people in wheelchairs, or those with active lifestyles.
180 Medical carries the widest variety of catheters of all brands, types, and sizes. You’ll have the freedom to try out and choose whatever catheter suits your needs best, based on your doctor’s prescription and your insurance coverage.
Did the Medicare Part B deductible increase this year?
In 2022, the Medicare deductible has increased to $233.00, which is approximately a $30 increase from last year.
180 Medical has no control over Medicare deductible increases, unfortunately, although we completely understand a slightly higher bill at the start of the new year can be a surprise.
Do I need to submit my own claims for orders with 180 Medical?
Not at all. At 180 Medical, we try to make the process of getting your catheter supplies as easy and stress-free as possible. This means that, in addition to our world-class service and support, we do all the legwork for you.
We don’t just file your insurance claims for you. We also get any documentation or authorization your insurance plan requires.
If you’re ready for an easier way to get the supplies you need, contact 180 Medical.
Can I use my HSA to pay for my catheter supplies?
An HSA is a Health Savings Account. Many plans, particularly coverage through employers, offer HSAs as a way to help cover expenses like out-of-pocket costs.
Luckily, medical supplies, including catheters and durable medical equipment, qualify as an HSA-eligible expense.
Your health insurance plan or plans will cover their portion of the supplies first. Then the remainder can be paid for with your HSA card if the funds are available in your account.
Will my new insurance plan cover an old medical bill?
A new health insurance plan will typically only cover bills for supply orders that occur on or after your new plan’s effective date. However, that’s not something you have to worry about handling. 180 Medical’s Billing Specialists will file your claims with your insurance plans according to their effective and end coverage dates.
If you’re not sure if we have your new insurance information, update us here so we can verify your coverage and update your account.
Why is my insurance not covering my medical supplies the same way as last year?
Your coverage amounts or co-pays may have changed. Also, a common cause of billing changes at the beginning of the year is your health insurance deductible.
An insurance deductible is what the health insurance company requires you to pay, outside of typical copays or coinsurance, before it will start covering your medical supply bills.
This amount resets at the start of each new coverage period, which is typically at the beginning of each calendar year. However, some people may have insurance coverage with different dates.
Feel free to reach out to our insurance experts. We’ll walk you through your insurance coverage and benefits and let you know what an estimated bill for your supplies will be. However, many people find that they have a low out-of-pocket cost or even get their supplies fully covered with no out-of-pocket cost at all.
Do You Have More Insurance or Catheter Questions?
If you’d like more information, check out our insurance guide for catheters.
180 Medical is one of the top catheter supply companies in America today. We’ve been specializing in catheters for two decades, and we pride ourselves on offering the absolute best customer service experience with ongoing support and help.
Our service begins with a personalized consultation so we can help you try out and find the catheter that fits your unique preferences and needs best. We’ll also verify and go over your new insurance coverage so you fully understand and feel confident moving forward with your order.
Just reach out to us to get started. We’re ready to help turn the quality of your life around.
