If you want to live and live well, you need a good supplier for supplies. After Ostomy surgery, an ostomate typically uses whatever ostomy supplies are recommended and given to them by the hospital. It's common nurses and hospital staff only use one brand of Ostomy supplies, regardless if this is the best solution for that patient. This is due in part to the nurse's education in Ostomy products along with any insurance coverage for specific brand names. But there are many, many vendors of Ostomy appliances, and each person will find that certain products fit their needs more than others. While a certain brand given to them may work just fine, it never hurts to experiment with something that could be a little more convenient and useful.
Ostomy supplies are sold by medical supply retailers, online stores, mail order catalogs, and sometimes through local drugstores. Check with your nurse for recommendations and with your insurance for coverage by specific suppliers.
Here are some tips to scout out the best supplier for your ostomy supplies:
Reliability - Do they stock your items regularly? Do they have a system in place to ensure a regular supply of products when you need them? (On a more personal note, its a good idea to have an "emergency" stash aside just in case). Most vendors won't have a problem, but it never hurts to ask for them to carry your product regularly if anything you use is back-ordered.
Good Prices - Price is not everything, but Ostomy supplies are a necessity, so finding the best price on your supplies is always and advantage. Find a provider that consistently keeps their prices competitive. Many reputable online vendors will offer free shipping discounts, volume discounts, and/or promotions that can make your supplies more affordable. Your nurse may also be able to recommend good suppliers for your particular Ostomy supplies.
Wide Selection - If you're a new Ostomate, you should experiment a bit to see what products work best for you. Ostomy is a very individual-specific condition which is why the product selection is endless.
Continue to try products out and keep a log book of which ones work best for you. It's important to have a supplier who can provide you with the variety of supplies to do this kind of experimentation to find the ideal ostomy system for you.
Intelligent Staff - Good businesses that work with ostomy patients will have at least one nurse on staff with strong product and patient knowledge. They understand personal needs and concerns related to ostomy to recommend products and answer questions.
Handling Problems/Returns - If a product is defective or you receive the wrong item, how quickly can you get a replacement? Especially anything you order online, be sure to read the Sales policy to ensure your order is cared for. Many of the very low cost online vendors will not stock merchandise, instead paying a Warehouse stocking the merchandise to ship from a remote location.
Insurance Reimbursements - Some suppliers will accept some insurances and Medicare reimbursement. If you're using either, check the policy of the online vendors to see who can process your orders quickly and reliably so you can be properly reimbursed. Some will "take assignment" - meaning, they will process your claim directly with the Insurance company and you will pay your co-pay. Some will not "take assignment" - meaning, the order is processed and information is provided, but ultimately the end user is responsible for submitting their claim and getting reimbursed after purchasing from the supplier. Also, keep in mind that insurance prices are almost certainly different than standard retail pricing.
Kyle Jindel is a blogger and writer on various home health topics such as Ostomy, urological/urinary, catheterization, impotence, senior aid, patient care and more and recommends online supplier STLMedical.com for reliable service, knowledgeable staff and a wide inventory of affordable colostomy and illeostomy supplies from major brands and more home medical supplies.
