Close  

Does Medicare Cover Ostomy Supplies?


Millions rely on Medicare to cover ostomy supplies. Without coverage, ostomy supplies may run anywhere from $300-$600 each month.  Medicare provides coverage for prosthetic devices, Durable Medical Equipment, orthotics, and supplies, also known as DMEPOS. Ostomy supplies are prosthetic devices under Medicare.

Find Medicare Plans in 3 Easy Steps

We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today

Medicare Guidelines for Ostomy Supplies

An ostomy is a surgical procedure. This procedure creates an opening which is known as a stoma. The stoma goes from an organ or system within the body – to the outside of the body.

Medicare Part B pays for 80% of allowable charges for ostomy supplies after you meet the Medicare Part B deductible. The need for ostomy supplies must be due to specific procedures, including ileostomy, urinary ostomy surgery, or a colostomy. Beneficiaries must use both providers and suppliers that accept and participate in Medicare assignment to receive coverage.

Stomas may be permanent or, in some cases, temporary depending on a patient’s condition. Ostomy supplies are necessary to collect bodily wastes for all ostomies. Ostomy supplies may include scissors, stoma powder, skin wipes, pouch clips, and paper towels.

Example of Temporary Medicare Coverage for Ostomy Supplies

Linda had an infection requiring her bowels to need temporary rest. Linda’s healthcare provider performed a temporary “loop colostomy.” During this procedure, a hole was cut into the side of the colon. Then a certain hole in the wall of the abdomen creates an opening known as a stoma. Thus, creating a way for her stool to drain from the stoma into a bag or pouch that her healthcare provider attaches to the abdomen.

Once Linda was clear of infection, this procedure was easily undone by detaching the colon from the wall of the abdomen. Then, the stoma was closed, allowing the normal flow of stool through the colon.

Example of Permanent Medicare Coverage for Ostomy Supplies

Robert needs a colostomy requiring permanent ostomy supplies. He suffers from cancer requiring the removal of the rectum. After surgery, Robert needs a permanent ostomy bag to allow his stool to drain. In this case, Robert’s medical condition requires him to always use ostomy supplies. Since it’s medically necessary for treating his condition, Medicare will cover most of the costs.

What is the Medicare Limit on Ostomy Supplies?

Medicare will cover up to a three-month supply of ostomy products at one time. You must have a prescription from your doctor to receive coverage under Medicare. The supplier must also be accredited and contracted with Medicare.

Ostomy Supplies Covered by Medicare Amount Allowed Per Month
Bedside drainage bag 2 each / month
Solid skin barrier 4×4 20 each / month
Ostomy belt 1 each / month
Ostomy pouch filter ** no maximum listed
Skin barrier, liquid, per ounce 2 ounces / month
Skin barrier, powder, per ounce 10 ounces / 6 months
Skin barrier with flange, convex ** no maximum listed
Ostomy drainable pouch with extended wear barrier ** no maximum listed
Ostomy drainable pouch with barrier, convex ** no maximum listed
Ostomy pouch liquid deodorant 8 ounces / month
Ostomy ring 10 each / month
Ostomy paste (non-pectin based) 4 ounces / month
Ostomy paste (pectin based) 4 ounces / month
Skin barrier with flange, extended wear, convex (4×4 inches or smaller) ** no maximum listed
Skin barrier with flange, extended wear (4×4 inches or smaller) ** no maximum listed
Skin barrier with flange, standard wear (4×4 inches or smaller) 20 each / month
Ostomy standard wear skin barrier greater than 4×4 20 each / month
Ostomy closed end pouch with filter 60 each / month
Ostomy closed end pouch with barrier, convex, filter, one-piece 60 each / month
Ostomy closed end pouch with filter on non-locking system 60 each / month
Ostomy closed end pouch for locking system, with filter 60 each / month
Ostomy drainable pouch with barrier, filter, one-piece 20 each / month
Ostomy drainable pouch for non-locking system, with filter 20 each / month
Ostomy drainable pouch for locking system, non-filter 20 each / month
Ostomy drainable pouch for locking system, with filter 20 each / month
Ostomy urinary pouch for locking system 20 each / month
Stoma cap 31 each / month
Ostomy drainable pouch with extended wear barrier, filter, one-piece 40 each / month
Ostomy drainable pouch with extended wear barrier, convex, filter, one-piece 40 each / month
Ostomy drainable pouch with barrier attached; one-piece 20 each / month
Ostomy drainable pouch with flange, non-filter 20 each / month
Urinary pouch with barrier 20 each / month
Urinary pouch for use on barrier with flange, two-piece 20 each / month
Skin barrier wipes or swab, each 150 each / 6 months

Does Medicare Cover the Full Cost of Ostomy Supplies?

Medicare does not cover everything. Through Medicare Part A, you are left with deductibles and other cost-sharing. Under Medicare Part B, you are responsible for the remaining 20% of all your medical costs as well as deductibles.

Find Medicare Plans in 3 Easy Steps

We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today

There are a few ways you can get supplemental coverage. One option is through a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same medical services and treatments as Original Medicare. However, how much they cover is up to them. Meaning, Part B may cover 80% of your Ostomy supplies, but Medicare Advantage may cover less than that.

They also come with copays for each visit, while Original Medicare does not. If your goal with supplemental insurance is to have fewer out-of-pocket costs, then a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan is the better option for you.

Medicare Supplements will cover the coinsurance and deductibles left behind by Medicare. Some letter plans will leave you with zero out-of-pocket costs outside the monthly premium. There are no copays with Medicare Supplements.

How to Get Supplemental Medicare Coverage for Ostomy Supplies

Whether you would like to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, Medicare Advantage plan, or Medicare Part D for prescription coverage to help with ostomy supplies and treatment, we can help. Our team of licensed Medicare agents are experts on all things Medicare.

If you would like to review the options available to you in your area, give us a call. We can prepare a list of all the plans and carriers in your area side-by-side to find you the most affordable option. If you prefer, you can complete our rate comparison form to see your Medicare options for ostomy supplies today.

Enter ZIP Code

Enter ZIP Code

Enter your ZIP code to pull plan options available in your area.

Compare Plans

Compare Plans

Select which Medicare plans you would like to compare in your area.

Get Quote

Get Quote

Compare rates side by side with plans & carriers available in your area.

Jagger Esch

Jagger Esch is the Medicare expert for MedicareFAQ and the founder, president, and CEO of Elite Insurance Partners and MedicareFAQ.com. Since the inception of his first company in 2012, he has been dedicated to helping those eligible for Medicare by providing them with resources to educate themselves on all their Medicare options. He is featured in many publications as well as writes regularly for other expert columns regarding Medicare.

16 thoughts on “Does Medicare Cover Ostomy Supplies?

  1. I NEED TO FIND OUT HOW LONG A PRESCRIPTION IS GOOD ON OSTOMY SUPPLIES, I HAVE ALWAY HAD ONE I HAD BIRTH DEFECTS AND I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THEM.

    1. Vicki, the doctor who writes the prescription determines the length of validity. I recommend speaking with your doctor about the expiration date of your script.

  2. My DME company says “they require an office visit to prove I still need ileostomy supplies for a permananent ileostomy” or they will not get paid from Medicare. How often do I have to go to the doctor per year for this? One company said twice per year one said once per year – what does Medicare say for DME supplies??

    1. Thank you for reaching out! Medicare will provide ileostomy supplies for up to 3 months at a time with a valid prescription from your doctor. If your doctor continues to write the prescription, you can receive the supplies. The number of times you need to be rechecked is up to your doctor and supplier.

    1. Patricia, the chart above shows the allowances of each type of pouch. Depending on the pouch style, you can receive up to 60 pouches per month.

  3. I was getting supplies from the nurse that came out to help my husband with Physical Therapy. The Physical Therapy ended so I was ordering supplies from a pharmacy. Now that Physical Therapy started again the pharmacy will not fill the supplies stating I need to go through the Physical Therapy office to get the supplies covered but the Physical Therapy office is not familiar with this process and said they have no idea what the pharmacy is talking about. Where should I be getting my husband medical supplies from for his colostomy care.

    1. Hi Lisa – as Part B covers colostomy supplies, your husband should ask his primary care physician or specialist where he can get his medically necessary equipment.

  4. my ostomy supplies supplier keeps telling me that Medicare only allows me to use one supplier. They do not handle a certain product that I need while a different supplier does. I want to stay with my supplier but will I have to change because they don’t offer this one item??

  5. Can you tell me the amount that Medicare covers for: 1) Adapt Adhesive Remover Spray and 2) Adapt Adhesive Remover Wipes?
    The facility where I order my products has limited the order to ~ either two bottles of the spray every 3 months; or 3 boxes of the wipes every 3 months. Although the names are similiar for these products, I use them for different reasons and need both of them.
    Thank you for more information and help.
    NH

    1. Hi Nadine! All Durable Medicare Equipment will be covered 80% under Part B as long as the supplier is approved by Medicare. If you have a Medigap plan, it will cover the remaining 20%. Since each supplier charges differently, you would need to ask them how much they charge Medicare to find out how much your out of pocket costs will be.

  6. Regarding ostomy supplies, I have a permanent ileostomy and need supplies every month. How often does the doctor have to approve the prescription for supplies?

    1. Hi Frank! Normally the doctor approves a 3-month supply at one time. If you contact the distributor, they may be able to work something out with you where you get a 3-month supply sent to you at one time automatically every 3-months.

Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *