You have done the research, had the conversation with your provider, and you have a prescription in hand. Now what? This is the part of the process that most people worry about unnecessarily. The truth is that once you have a valid, detailed prescription, it becomes fairly easy to order incontinence, ostomy, and wound care supplies. A good medical supply company takes on most of the work from this point forward, and your job becomes simply staying organized and knowing what to expect.
This article wraps up my three-part series on getting your essential medical supplies covered by insurance. If you missed the first two articles in this series, I recommend starting there. Understanding your insurance options and getting a complete prescription written are the foundation for everything covered here. In this article, I walk you through the step-by-step submission process. I also introduce you to some of the most trusted Medicare-approved medical supply companies in the country.
Step One – Choose Medical Supply Company
After receiving a prescription, you will need to find a medical supply company that is approved by your insurance and specializes in the type of supplies you need. While some of these supplies are local, others are specialty distributors that will ship directly to your home on a regular schedule.
For Medicare beneficiaries, you must use a Medicare-approved Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies supplier, or DMEPOS supplier. To find one, you can use the official DME Cost Compare tool at medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers. This tool enables you to search for products and compare prices from suppliers in your area or nationwide.
Your provider’s office, discharge nurse, or wound care specialist can also make a recommendation, and they may already have a relationship with a preferred supplier who can expedite the process for you.
Step Two – Contact the Company and Begin Ordering Supplies
When you first contact a supply company, have your prescription and insurance card ready. The supply company will need your member ID, group number, and insurance company contact information. They use this to verify your benefits and confirm your coverage. Once verified, they walk you through product options that fall within your plan.
When starting your order, if you have a brand or product preference, be sure to mention it. I always recommend researching in advance to help you determine the best product for you. Most companies carry products from the leading manufacturers and will do their best to honor your preference. If they do not carry a specific brand, they can often special-order it or refer you to a supplier who stocks it. Remember, before ordering, always ensure the medical supply company is in-network with your specific insurance plan.
Step Three – Submit Your Prescription and Insurance Information
When placing your initial order with the medical supply company, you will need to submit your insurance information and prescription. While some companies allow you to send your prescription directly through their ordering system, others require your provider’s office to fax the prescription to them. If you need to fax the prescription, you will need to provide your provider with the name, phone number, and fax number of your chosen medical supply company. Having this medical supply company information ready at your appointment when getting the prescription can help speed up the process. My advice is always to call the supply company first and ask which submission methods they accept or prefer. That one quick call saves a lot of back-and-forth.
For ostomy supplies covered by Medicare, a written order before delivery and documentation of a face-to-face encounter are federally required before any supplies can be shipped. The supply company will confirm that this documentation is on file before processing your order.
A reputable supply company will contact your provider’s office directly if any documentation is incomplete or missing. You should not have to manage that communication yourself. If a supply company asks you to gather your own medical records or resolve billing issues without offering staff support to help, that is a signal to look for a different supplier.
Step Four – Insurance Verification
Upon receiving your prescription and insurance information, the medical supply company will contact your insurance plan to verify your benefits. Your insurance plan and the products you order determine how quickly this process moves, typically anywhere from several days to several weeks. Typically, verification of products, quantities, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs, as well as documentation review, is a very quick part of this process. The step that typically extends the process is prior authorization.
If your supplies require prior authorization, your supply company should take the lead and work directly with your insurance plan and your provider’s office to get it done. Every insurance plan is different, but I have typically seen prior authorization required for certain specialty catheters, higher quantities of supplies, or products that fall outside standard monthly allowables. When your physician documents medical justification for your specific needs, your insurance plan will generally approve the prior authorization.
Insurance verification should be handled entirely by the supply company. A supply company should have staff whose job is to navigate this process efficiently. Once verification is complete, they reach out to you directly, share what your plan confirmed, and walk you through your options within your coverage.
Step Five – Confirm Your Order and Set Up Delivery
Once your benefits are verified and all documentation is in order, the supply company will confirm your order and set up your delivery schedule. Many companies offer automatic monthly refills, contact you in advance of each shipment, and allow you to make changes to your order. Supplies are typically shipped directly to your home in discreet packaging.
Step Six – Manage Ongoing Supply Needs
Once you confirm your first order, the process becomes almost effortless. Your medical supply company ships your supplies on a set schedule and reaches out to your provider directly when renewals come due. However, your medical needs may change over time, and some supply categories require periodic reauthorization to keep your coverage active. For insurance reauthorization, your medical supply company will typically handle it. If your condition changes, reach out to your provider right away. You may need a different product type, size, or quantity. Do not go without supplies or pay out of pocket. Always explore whether a medical justification can expand your coverage first.
National Wide Medicare-Approved Medical Supply Companies to Order Incontinence, Ostomy, and Wound Care Supplies
These nationally recognized, Medicare-approved medical supply companies accept most major insurance plans and deliver supplies directly to your door. Each of these companies specializes in home delivery of medical supplies and has staff dedicated to navigating insurance coverage on your behalf.
Byram Healthcare covers ostomy, wound care, urology, incontinence, and diabetes supply categories. They accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most major private insurance plans and have a clinical staff available to help you choose the right products.
Edgepark Medical Supplies offer ostomy, urology, enteral nutrition, and a broad range of other supply categories with wide insurance coverage.
180 Medical specializes in catheter and ostomy supplies. They accept Medicare, TRICARE, and many state Medicaid programs, and their specialists bring dedicated training in ostomy and catheter care to every order they handle.
Liberator Medical Supply offers ostomy and urological supplies with direct insurance billing for Medicare and most private plans.
Shield Healthcare provides ostomy, urology, enteral nutrition, and respiratory supplies with Medicare and private insurance coverage. They offer dedicated clinical support.
Home Care Delivered (HCD) offers ostomy, incontinence, wound care, and urological supplies with broad Medicaid managed care and Medicare coverage. They feature a text-to-reorder program for convenient refills.
Aeroflow Urology specializes in catheter and incontinence products and works extensively with Medicaid managed care plans, helping eligible individuals receive fully covered supplies delivered to their homes.
CCS Medical provides diabetes, wound care, and urological supplies and accepts Medicare and a wide range of private insurers.
Comfort Medical focuses on catheter supplies and works with Medicare and most major private insurance plans, with a reputation for responsive customer service.
Strive Medical provides catheter supplies and contracts with Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurers. Their team manages all insurance paperwork at no charge to the patient.
ProMed DME is a Medicare-approved supplier offering a range of durable medical equipment and supply categories with dedicated support for navigating coverage.
You Deserve Support
I want to close this series with something I say regularly. You deserve support when paying for medically necessary supplies that you have paid for through your insurance premiums, Medicare taxes, and years of coverage. Getting your medical supplies covered is not asking for a favor. It is using a benefit you have earned.
Having your incontinence products, wound care dressings, ostomy supplies, or catheters covered by insurance means more than just saving money. It can help you stock supplies without anxiety. This support means you do not have to choose between necessities. It means you can focus your energy on your health, your family, and the things that matter most to you, rather than on the logistics and cost of managing a chronic condition.
The process I have described across these three articles is one that I have guided many through, and once it is set up, it runs largely on its own. Make the appointment, do your research in advance, have the conversation with your provider, and let your supply company take it from there. That is all it takes.