How to Get Ostomy Supplies

[@dragonsmagic00]

In Australia we only pay for postage for our supplies and of course an annual fee under $100(au) for the Stoma Association

[@KL123Moo]

I am so fed up with the cost of ostomy supplies. I have insurance (good insurance) but my personal cost is still outrageous. After being with Edgepark for 8 years I finally got so frustrated and joked I was going to see if Walmart had ostomy supplies online... they have everything else! Oh my gosh...They did! Then I looked on Amazon...Oh my word! They did too! At that point I was all over the internet looking for my hollister wafers/bags. Much to my surprise I found my exact products for pennies on the dollar of what I had been paying using my insurance. In the end I ordered through Amazon. It was fast and easy, no prescription (no co-pay) it was great. I figured out that if I bought all my supplies that way, minus the Eakin (still a bit pricey) I could purchase a years worth of my supplies for what I payed in 3 months using my insurance with a big medical supply company. That is great for me now but I seriously think of ALL the money I could have been saving in the past 8 years (some which is still sitting on credit cards) because I needed supplies and was being charged SO much for them and I was caught in a rock and a hard place. So as a life long ostomy girl my advice is to check on using your health insurance but also shop around, it may not be the best way.

[@KL123Moo]

Btw: Thank you SO much for your videos, thoughtful topics and conversations. I have been watching you since 2008, I was sick and scared and while searching KZbin for help I found your videos. I thought if this brave young women ( I'm a wee bit older than you...okay a lot a bit) can do it so can I. When I meet someone who is new to this life I always refer them to your videos. I have watched you on your journey in nursing school, prayed for your success (because we need great nurses like you) and wish you all the best!

[@lorrie21211]

KL123Moo Thank you sooooo much for your comment about saving so much $$$ ❣

[@LessStein]

Thanks for commenting. I'm on Medicare/BS/BC part B. The "best" I could get? I get the 3 month delivery. I'm 3 years into having a stoma. I went to ER that day, and passed. Then I woke up with a stoma. I've adjusted to using the supplies, but now I'm seeing that they do not send me enough supplies, especially the bags and wheels. I know Amazon has them, but they are so expensive. I don't even know who did my prescription and I never see a doctor about it. Sorry for rambling. Your comment inspired me. Making more calls tomorrow!!!

[@zuluvoyager6037]

Medical monks is another good place if you want to buy supplies on your own, but I do believe they take insurance in some cases as well.

[@LetsTalkIBD]

That's actually where I get mine now!

[@zuluvoyager6037]

@@LetsTalkIBD I found them when I discovered the sensura mio high output pouch. They were the only ones that had it at the time. Since then I sleep through the whole night with out getting up. They have great customer support as well.

[@andie2155]

Your video quality is great. I love literally everything you do here on KZbin. In my books, you are up there with The Frey Life and Chronically Jaquie: you make it personal. Thank you so much for being you!

[@jeremycrystal5949]

Edgepark is a big company and you will be on hold for a long time. They don't have the best customer service eighter. I now I use McKesson as my supplier and I use coloplast products. If you call coloplast they are very generous about sending you samples.

[@LetsTalkIBD]

I have heard people had some difficulties with Edgepark :/ And yes! I feel like I get samples in the mail all the time from them! I first got interested in nursing when I was in the hospital getting my ostomy - I really admired what the nurses did for me and talking with people via my KZbin videos made me really interested in it! Good luck on your exam!

[@jeremycrystal5949]

What was you firs job in the hospitals?

[@danbeit-halahmi2515]

Hi Maggie, I had my colostomy surgery just about 3 months ago. The hospital sent a visiting nurse to show me how to put this contraption on, clean it, and so on. The nurse left me some supplies, and the next day I received a package that was ordered for me by the visiting nurse. When I was done with the nurse visits she left me a catalog from one of the companies you listed above. My experience with that company was horrible. It took this company 19 days to get my order to me (in fact I was with out bags for 24 hours, and if something went wrong, I have no idea what would I do). Their customer service was horrible, they wanted to know how many days supply do I have left on hand, even my new suppliers do not ask for that at all, with my same insurance. I will never order from these guys again, and hope no one else goes through what I did. I learned from this that it is better paying for a few items as to have for emergencies, then relay on these companies, and insurances. I watch your videos a lot, and appreciate your advice and input on this subject. Thank you

[@bookanne]

Dan Beithalahmi omg I'm sitting here so overwhelmed and upset because they can't seem to get the sizing right! And everything is on back order! I have several issues so it's been really difficult. I'm seriously already so over all of this and I've only had my surgery June 2nd... Yep 21 days ago

[@beautywearsboots6458]

Can you do a video about all the different types of nurses, like CNA, LPN, RN, etc. What does it mean, what can or can't each do for a patient, and what do you have to do to become each type of nurse?

[@ChaiLatte13]

I'm going through some of your older videos on supplies because my Dad is having a hell of a time right now. He has a urostomy now, so I think the pouches are a bit different, but the supply company isn't delivering them and he's having major issues.

[@VeganOstomy]

It's strange that you'd need a prescription for ostomy supplies! We must be spoiled here in Canada! We can get supplies pretty much anywhere they're sold without a prescription, but if you have private insurance all they need is a single doctor's note for proof that you need the supplies and then you're free to order wherever you like. A quick note re: stomabags.com. Their KZbin channel has ripped off videos from ostomy advocates (including one of my videos) without getting permission or giving credit to them. Many of their current videos are still from other people/companies without credit. I find this incredibly shady and would personally not be giving them business.

[@OkayOkcomics]

hey maggie, i started watching your videos recently because i will be getting an illeostomy soon. It's a big life-change that I'm not super excited about. I was wondering...would you consider making a video of the benefits or positive aspects of the surgery? Anything to help people about to get the surgery or adjusting to the new process have something to counter all the negatives. I think it would help a lot of people me included! And coming from someone with your experience would make the info so genuine and trustworthy. Thanks for being out there for everyone.

[@jeremycrystal5949]

How did you get started in nursing? I have an ileostomy and find your videos very helpful. I am taking my CNA exam October 17th

[@Wheelchair-bear]

Jeremy Crystal Thank you, this is my second consult, the first time he did mention the possibility of getting a hernia, I also have 55% of scoliosis, bending in on the left side, this limits the stoma position more. My Dr. has done the operation on paraplegic's and had 100% success, I doubt any of his patients had as bad of scoliosis as I have. Hopefully I will see a WOC nurse at the same time, I am 3 1/2 hours away, I live on a farm close to a very small town - Sweet Grass Montana, but going to Calgary Alberta Canada for the operation. Thank you for replying, you will be a wonderful nurse.

[@kkmmrew]

i an terrible at remembering and planing ahead when i need ostomy supplies. luckily the supplier my hospital set my up with (aspen) is only a 5 min drive away from my house. i can call in give them my name, say i need the usual and be back home with supplies within half an hour. which is very useful considering how forgetful i am

[@tom10720]

You are beautiful. I'm not being creepy or a pervert or anything like that. Only a compliment. You've helped me a great deal. Thank you.

[@Wheelchair-bear]

I have had good luck with Allegro Medical and Vitality Medical, for catheters and other medical supplies. I am a T 12 paraplegic and will be getting a segmented or descending colostomy (i thinking) I'm sure these suppliers handle is ostomy products. I see my Dr. On Tuesday to book surgery, I'm sure I will have a lot of questions for you, thank you for your channel. Question #1 - Do know of any wheelchair user's with a colostomy? And where would be the best position for the bag, while always sitting? Again, thank you, I am new to your channel and this whole thing. Take care, Craig from Canada (and sometimes Montana)

[@nbt3663]

Craig Blackmer I hope you get some answers. One place to check on location of ostomy would be to call the Cleveland clinic in Ft. Lauderdale. And get a hold of one of the WOC nurses. And ask. My guess is they'll have experience with your circumstances.

[@nbt3663]

Craig Blackmer please ask simple question to your doctor. "Can you build a quality stoma?" They are not easy to build. Also ask them about parastomal hernia and see what his occurrence rate is.

[@Wheelchair-bear]

Jade Storm I am doing better than expected, my surgery went well, it has only been a month and I can see that I should have had this operation years ago. How about you? How are you doing?

[@kevinbowers388]

Why not eBay?

[@natalie6663]

Who do you contact for free supplies? My husband has an ileostomy and has a one piece but would like to try a 2 piece system.

[@katebc9148]

Natalie Brown You might want to call the provider company (Hollister, Coloplast, etc.) directly, seeking a customer service rep. for free samples.

[@lasartdesignz7087]

Where are you from?

[@nancywilliams6777]

Why on earth would an insurance company not approve ostomy supplies when a hospital is saying you need them?

[@lilbritt4403]

Australia 1.Independence Australia 2.Brightsky

[@stephensonselina48]

I wished they sold ostomy supplies at Walmart

[@VelveteenBippy]

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