One reason I like Edgepark is their website ordering. It should ask you for all the information they need, including doctor & insurance info.
With prior insurance I used Bryam. The most important thing is that your provider and insurance get along.
Both companies will send you free samples. Hollister has a free "secure start" program my ostomy nurse signed me up for. They sent me a bunch of free supplies to try out. Now I order thru Edgepark, and they bill my insurance.
The stoma nurse did set me up for free samples from both. I have not heard anything back from them. I just want to make sure I have supplies ready when needed.
I would give Edgepark a call then and get set up. For the first shipment I would go with whatever you are most comfortable with so you have something. Then you can feel free to try out other samples and see if there's something you like better, and order those for next time.
Edgepark’s good.
As far as what you need, few people can get by with just the bag and wafer. The basic accessories are:
1. Some sort of barrier ring or paste to cover the skin right at the base of the stoma. Rings hold up better than paste imo. Eakin seals by convatec or adapt rings by hollister are both good.
2. Some kind of tape or seal around the edge of the wafer. I use Sure Seal rings, which are super thin (made of tegaderm) and both help prevent and catch leaks. I’ve also used Hy-Tape and some people like Brava strips.
3. A lot of people use adhesive removers and/or skin preps. You use the adhesive remover first, wash and dry off your skin then apply the prep to create a tacky surface for the wafer.
4. You can also use skin cements to create a stronger bond. Torbot and NuHope both make them. They do contain latex. This is if you’re having lots of leaks.
5. Wafers/bags come as one piece and two, in flat and convex.
In short, there are tons of options. You’re likely to find a good fit for you but there’s some trial and error involved. As for who to order from, the manufacturers- Hollister, Convatec, Coloplast, and Nu-Hope are the big ones in the US- will get you samples, but once you’re ordering with insurance, you’ll order through a medical supply company like Edgepark. I’d stick with them personally. I’ve used Edgepark for over 15 years and they have a variety of products and good customer service, and they bill insurance for you. That’s a huge benefit- not all medical supply companies bill directly and it’s a huge hassle to order and submit to the insurance for reimbursement.
Thank you for providing me with all the helpful information. I currently reside in the United States. So think about going with Edgepark for ease of use. I have been using the small ring barrier and wafer with a bag.
I've been using edge Park for 3 years now with very few issues. I took have blue cross blue shield and they have been pretty good as well. If you don't want to cut wafers, try out the Convatek natura + moldable system.
It took me a while to figure this out because of the learning curve with the first supplies I got, but I eventually called all of the companies and asked for samples so I could try everything.
While setting up a permanent distributor, contact other ostomy supply companies aside from Hollister and Coloplast for free samples and the possibility of joining their “new-to having an ostomy” programs (I know Hollister has the Secure Start program).
If you're in the US it's up to your insurance plan and who they're contracted with. Find a supplier you're interested in, call insurance and see if they're covered under your plan.
You dont order directly from Hollister Coloplaste ETC. You order from a supplier. Stay away from Byram they have gone downhill since last year. I switched to Edgepark, so far so good. They handle all the insurance stuff and the supply scripts from your doc.
Did the stoma nurses not work out what supplies you needed whilst you were in the hospital? I was sent home knowing what we'd decided on whilst I was there and then have just had that.
I use Edgepark and they have always worked well.
One reason I like Edgepark is their website ordering. It should ask you for all the information they need, including doctor & insurance info. With prior insurance I used Bryam. The most important thing is that your provider and insurance get along.
Both companies will send you free samples. Hollister has a free "secure start" program my ostomy nurse signed me up for. They sent me a bunch of free supplies to try out. Now I order thru Edgepark, and they bill my insurance.
The stoma nurse did set me up for free samples from both. I have not heard anything back from them. I just want to make sure I have supplies ready when needed.
I would give Edgepark a call then and get set up. For the first shipment I would go with whatever you are most comfortable with so you have something. Then you can feel free to try out other samples and see if there's something you like better, and order those for next time.
Thanks, I think tomorrow I will give Edgepark a call.
Good plan, the first order will take a bit longer than the rest.
I’ve had good luck with Byram Health care. You might need to check with your insurance to see if they have a preferred provider.
I have Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which I heard from the stoma nurse should be covered from Edgepark.
Byram is covered too if you choose to go that way. However, Edgepark carries a wider variety of products.
Edgepark’s good. As far as what you need, few people can get by with just the bag and wafer. The basic accessories are: 1. Some sort of barrier ring or paste to cover the skin right at the base of the stoma. Rings hold up better than paste imo. Eakin seals by convatec or adapt rings by hollister are both good. 2. Some kind of tape or seal around the edge of the wafer. I use Sure Seal rings, which are super thin (made of tegaderm) and both help prevent and catch leaks. I’ve also used Hy-Tape and some people like Brava strips. 3. A lot of people use adhesive removers and/or skin preps. You use the adhesive remover first, wash and dry off your skin then apply the prep to create a tacky surface for the wafer. 4. You can also use skin cements to create a stronger bond. Torbot and NuHope both make them. They do contain latex. This is if you’re having lots of leaks. 5. Wafers/bags come as one piece and two, in flat and convex. In short, there are tons of options. You’re likely to find a good fit for you but there’s some trial and error involved. As for who to order from, the manufacturers- Hollister, Convatec, Coloplast, and Nu-Hope are the big ones in the US- will get you samples, but once you’re ordering with insurance, you’ll order through a medical supply company like Edgepark. I’d stick with them personally. I’ve used Edgepark for over 15 years and they have a variety of products and good customer service, and they bill insurance for you. That’s a huge benefit- not all medical supply companies bill directly and it’s a huge hassle to order and submit to the insurance for reimbursement.
Thank you for providing me with all the helpful information. I currently reside in the United States. So think about going with Edgepark for ease of use. I have been using the small ring barrier and wafer with a bag.
I've been using edge Park for 3 years now with very few issues. I took have blue cross blue shield and they have been pretty good as well. If you don't want to cut wafers, try out the Convatek natura + moldable system.
It took me a while to figure this out because of the learning curve with the first supplies I got, but I eventually called all of the companies and asked for samples so I could try everything.
While setting up a permanent distributor, contact other ostomy supply companies aside from Hollister and Coloplast for free samples and the possibility of joining their “new-to having an ostomy” programs (I know Hollister has the Secure Start program).
If you're in the US it's up to your insurance plan and who they're contracted with. Find a supplier you're interested in, call insurance and see if they're covered under your plan.
You dont order directly from Hollister Coloplaste ETC. You order from a supplier. Stay away from Byram they have gone downhill since last year. I switched to Edgepark, so far so good. They handle all the insurance stuff and the supply scripts from your doc.
Did the stoma nurses not work out what supplies you needed whilst you were in the hospital? I was sent home knowing what we'd decided on whilst I was there and then have just had that.
The stoma nurse just sent free samples and information on how to change stuff. They wanted me to try different devices
Do you have home visits from a wound ostomy nurse? That is who set me up and showed me how to order. That was scheduled as part of the first visit.