Need Recommendations for Reliable Medical Supplies Supplier in NJ

Currently using McKesson/AdaptHealth and they are the worst! Formerly used Edgepark when I first had surgery, they stopped accepting my insurance and I was assigned to McKesson. Horrible right from the start, now after their absorption into AdaptHealth I can't deal with them anymore. Spent a total of 55 minutes on hold (3 different calls, hold on until they disconnect you), the last call was with the "Supervisor".

I live in NJ and use Braven Health, does anyone know of a reliable medical supply company that speaks to you with respect, completes your order with a minimum of BS, and actually ships your supplies when ordered?

Since 2019 when I was assigned to them, I've had the same issues again and again, "Have you changed insurance?" Not in the last 4 years. "Have you changed your address?" Not in the last 37 years. Same phone #, 37 years, same cell # for 27 years. They offer one telephone number no matter what your issue is, and the results are largely the same, someone claims to be investigating the problem and puts me on hold. Eventually the call disconnects.

I'm thoroughly fed up! Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Jai

I use Byram. They're online, and they have always treated me well for the last 2 years. Hope that helps.

They have one in Somerset, NJ.

I have to go through this almost every order with the same company. I do have good luck in getting my order within 2 days. I think it is ridiculous that we even have to have a prescription in order to get our supplies. It's not like anyone would want to use them if they weren't necessary.

Come on, guys, lobby your political party and get together to do what Australia, England, and other forward-thinking countries do and supply all ostomates with their products for free. Someone has to start the ball rolling as they did in the other, obviously more advanced, countries. I have been pushing this before, but it seems no one is prepared to take the job on. Don't think someone else will do it. Form a group. Regards, IGGIE

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I use Liberator Medical. They are pretty awesome. They call me to revamp my 3-month medical supply.

I use 180 Medical and they are good so far. No issues at all.

Nothing is free. Do you not pay taxes? We are already taxed enough here, in my opinion, and I don't trust our government to use our taxes for what they're supposed to be used for if we were promised free health care as a result of paying more in taxes. Heck, our politicians and their sons get away with not paying taxes, but they still tell everyone to pay their fair share. Also, it's hard to compare a country like yours with a population that's probably smaller than California's. We have absorbed 5-20 million people in the last 3 years illegally, and our taxes are going to their care, which I doubt Australia is dealing with anything close to that. I'm pretty sure you have to have a sizable savings account and/or work lined up to immigrate to Australia or Canada. You are comparing apples to oranges. I think there should be a better system here, but it's not as easy as you think, and people are going to have to be realistic about a solution, and that would hurt some feelings.

I went through this as well with insurance companies and trying to find a supplier a couple of times. The best advice is to call the distribution companies and ask them if they take your insurance. They will know and can tell you right off the bat. Don't waste your time calling the insurance company; one, they literally have no idea what an ostomy even is, and two, they don't know what distribution company is or isn't covered, and a lot of the time they will give you ones that don't even pertain to you or the supplies you need. Read reviews and listen to others about distribution companies; there are a lot of bad ones out there. Prism and Edgepark, for me, have been by far the worst. One didn't even give me my bags in my order and left me sitting there. The best two I have used are Bryham and Comfort Medical. Hope that helps.

Well, Bob, you just went a long way around to say you, for one, won't do a goddamn thing about it. So, as you say, it looks like we have some great apples, and you will always have lousy oranges. I am sure you pay taxes as well, Bob, but you still don't get your ostomy products for free. You used to be great. Regards, IGGIE

It's odd how different insurance companies vary so much on the procedure to get supplies. My ostomy nurse has to renew my prescription once a year (unless I request something different), then the pharmacy I use here to get my stuff sends me a text each month asking if I need/ready to reorder my monthly supplies. I simply text back, yes. My supplies come a couple of days later to my door.

The question that the supplier also asks me is how many bags I have left. This really infuriates me. Like I am calling for the heck of it.

I've used Edgepark for a year. So far, no problems. Always available if I call. They know my insurance limits and advise me accordingly.

Maybe different insurance companies influence the medical supply process.

You might want to check with your insurance company that your insurance is thorough and ask them what your coverage covers. For example, I have Medicare Advantage PPO and I go through Binsons. Under the insurance I have, I can have four boxes with 10 bags in each box, making it 40 bags a month. I get the same multiple rings, I get the same adhesive remover, but stoma powder and skin prep I get a little less. They tape the half tapes that I use to tape and secure my bag to me; they only cover 20 pieces a month, so I pay out-of-pocket for an extra box because I like them.

So I would say contact your insurance company, Aetna or Medicare or Blue Cross or whoever your carrier is, and ask them what your contract covers. Ask them what are the payable medical suppliers in your area. And yes, my script is for a whole year, and it has taken me three years to have my medical supplier get it right. Now they have it right, and all I have to do is ask my doctor to update my script in a year. I should still get the same amount of supplies. Not all insurance companies are the same; all may not cover the same, so check with your insurance company and find out what is and who is covered on your policy. I hope it helps. Good luck.

I use Liberator Medical. They are awesome. They call me to revamp my stash :)

Simply say... I'm on my last one. Would you like it thrown on your desk when I'm done to make sure I used it too?

I use Byram without any problems.

I started off with Byram but found a local pharmacy. I also like H.P.F.Y. Health Products For You. Their website is www.shopostomysupplies.com. They have the best deals and I've always received my orders within 3 days.

Thanks, Ryan. Always good to know alternate suppliers.

I buy most of my products from eBay, and bypass the insurance company altogether. The resulting cost to me is cheaper than going through a distributor and paying deductibles. What I can buy on eBay for $200 would cost over $1,000 from a distributor. Everyone's situation is different. I am thankful and lucky that I found a product I like, and I can get them from multiple sources.

Very good point. My family (just a spouse), deductible is $2000. Both of us are required to pay off the deductible. I had a couple of CT scans and blood work. I paid $2200. I called insurance and said, "After $2000, the $200 should have been reduced to $40, (20%)."

Insurance said: No, each member on the insurance can only pay off a certain percentage of the deductible.

They must hire experts to figure ways of screwing us.

I just had a shipment of ostomy supplies arrive. Since my wife and I haven't satisfied our insurance deductible this year, (even though I paid way more than $2000 in medical bills), I paid $248.00. About the same cost as buying the stuff on Amazon. If my deductible was met, I'm charged $48.

I use Edgepark online to order my stuff, and that's not a problem. They keep track of that. They have this Continued Care thing, so you put in what you want, and then they say they have to check with your doctor. Once that's done, they send you a message saying that you have to reconfirm the order. That means you have to call into the place twice or use the online form twice, which is ridiculous. I personally don't like using the telephone; I rarely use it, but the online services so far have been okay. I just don't like the protocol where you have to actually reconfirm your order. The doctor said it was okay to get these products, and then I have to recertify that, saying, "Well, yes, of course, I need these products. That's why I ordered them in the first place!" It should be more efficient, and why do they have to call the doctor for approval each and every time you order something? Totally ridiculous.

I think what you may need to do is just try to find an insurance company that the supplier will accept and just try to make it less of a hassle if you have that option. Then eBay works too.

Good luck.

I hate Edgepark - I've recently switched to Comfort Medical - so far kind and competent.

Edgepark came through for me, but that took 3 calls to get it done. The 3 reps were all kind and sincere.

Professionals. I do not have a complaint with the reps.

The company CEO itself needs an enema.

If you have B/C B/S

of NJ as an insurance carrier, you have to call them first for coverage on their vendors.

Also, get this, the Coloplast rep said the same thing. She knew the deal and saved me a call into BC BS NJ.

She told me

3 suppliers exist in NJ:

Edgepark.

Byram.

Comfort Medical.

I was tempted to replace Edgepark. My experience has been good using them until recently with a bad order.

It's all good now.