With a doctor's recommendation, you could have all of your incontinence supplies (adult diapers, briefs, pads, bed pads, etc.) completely covered and delivered to your door!
Medicaid
Medicaid for individuals will supply adult diapers and other disposable, absorbent products. Most Medicaid Waivers that provide assistance to individuals living at home or in the community also provide assistance. This typically falls under the category of ‘home care supplies.’
Here is a list of what incontinence products could potentially be covered:
Bladder Control Pads
Male Guards
Booster Pads
Protective Underwear (Pull-Ups)
Adult Briefs
Underpads/Bedpads
In order for an incontinence product to be covered by a Medicaid plan, it must be considered “medically necessary.” Products deemed medically necessary are those considered as essential to the treatment or management of a particular condition. This can be determined by visiting a doctor and getting a diagnosis.
Medicare
Some Medicare Advantage plans might cover incontinence supplies such as catheters or adult diapers for qualified beneficiaries.
Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans can offer benefits that Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) doesn’t cover. This means that some Medicare Advantage plans might cover incontinence supplies for qualified plan beneficiaries.
Original Medicare does not cover incontinence supplies such as adult diapers and pads, however. This means that with Original Medicare, you must pay 100 percent of the costs for your incontinence supplies.
Veterans’ Administration (VA) Health Care
The VA is one 3rd party that provides help. While the VA does pay for adult diapers, many veterans advise caution with regards to the quality. Specifically, the standard issued brand of adult diapers is not considered to be of high quality. However, if a veteran has a preferred brand, such as Attends, Depend, Prevail, Tena or Tranquility, it is possible to have those paid for by the VA. However, a physician prescription or statement of medical justification that explains the medical reasons for which a particular brand of adult diaper is required is necessary.
Veterans Home and Community Based Services
For some veterans, Home and Community Based Services, also called Veterans Directed Care is an option. This program provides financial assistance for care and the flexibility to direct the financial assistance as the veteran feels is best for their needs. Incontinence supplies would most certainly be an eligible expense. For more details, visit https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/pages/Veteran-Directed_Care.asp
Other Options to Lower Costs on Incontinence Supplies
When all opportunities for financial assistance have been exhausted and one must pay out-of-pocket for adult diapers, the following is advised.
1) Look for adult diaper coupons. One can search by brand for coupons here: http://www.needymeds.org/coupons.taf
2) Use a discount prescription drug card. Often times, medical supplies, as well as prescriptions are discounted. One free card can be downloaded here: https://www.needymeds.org/
3) Keep all receipts. The total cost for adult diapers are tax deductible. Learn more about medical expense deductions here: https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/caregivers/dependent_medical_expenses
4) Shop online. Purchasing in bulk online can reduce the cost by as much as 50%, or even 80% over purchasing in a local pharmacy or grocery store. Furthermore, products can be shipped free of charge and in discreet packaging. One website to consider is: https://www.discountmedicalsupplies.com/
5) Request free samples. Many adult diaper companies, including well-known brands, provide samples free of charge. This often includes free shipping. (An easy way to find companies that offer free samples is to Google “free adult diaper samples”).