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Medicare covers the expenses of external catheter supply, when medically necessary. Part B of Medicare is responsible for reimbursing 80% of the total cost required for catheter supply and patients are liable to pay 20% of any covered medical expense out of pocket after meeting the deductible. Approximately 30-35 external catheters are reimbursed per month per patient.

Original Medicare

Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is a federal health insurance program in United States for patients in one of three groups – people aged 65 or more, people with certain disabilities and under the age of 65, and people with end stage renal disease. This program is administered by Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Original Medicare is divided into four categories –

Part A (Hospital Insurance) – Part A covers the cost of inpatient care in a healthcare facility including hospitals or critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing institutions. Additionally, some home health care services and hospice care are also covered.

Part B (Medical Insurance) – Part B covers outpatient care, physician services, clinical lab tests and preventive services. It also covers some additional medical treatments not covered in Part A such as home health care and physical and occupational therapy services.

Part C (Medicare Advantage) – Part C is covered by a private health insurance company which adds to the benefits of Original Medicare (Part A and B). Medicare Advantage plans covers additional benefits such as dental and vision care. Most plans also include prescription drugs coverage (Part D).

Additionally, a Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) covers the out of pocket (20%) medical expenses associated with original Medicare.

Part D (Prescription drug coverage) – Part D covers medications which are not covered under parts A or B. This plan helps to cover cost of prescribed drugs and is optional coverage sold by private insurance companies.

Medicare Quick Glance

Quick glance at Medicare coverage choices

Medicare coverage for external catheters

Medicare provides coverage for external catheters used for urine management as a substitute to a foley catheter for incontinent patients. Patients may avail benefits of external catheters under Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage Plan. Part A of original Medicare covers cost of catheter when a patient is admitted in the hospital. Part B covers the cost of catheter administered during medical procedures at doctor’s clinic or outpatient’s setting. In most cases, use of 35 external catheters per month are considered necessary and are covered under Medicare. The Part B of original Medicare pays 80% of the cost and remaining 20% is out of pocket expense for the beneficiary or is paid through Medigap.

Different billing codes used by Medicare

Medicare being a federal program assigns certain codes to every task and service which are provided to a patient. This coding procedure is referred to as Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). HCPCS billing codes are monitored by Centre for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These are based on Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes which are developed by American Medical Association (AMA). The codes are regulated by HIPAA and requires all healthcare organizations to use a standard code for transaction involving healthcare information. HCPCS codes are categorised in two levels-

Level 1- This category consists of CPT codes that are built up to 5-digit numbers and are managed by AMA. These codes identify the procedures and services which are performed by physicians and other healthcare professionals

Level 2-. This is managed by CMS. The codes in this level include non-physician services such as ambulance, medical equipment, medications, etc. This category includes alphanumeric codes in series of an alphabet letter followed by four numerical values. For instance, code ‘A’ covers transportation, wide variety of medical and surgical supplies. Furthermore, A4310-A4360 covers incontinence device and supplies

HCPCS Code Code Description
A4324 Male external catheter w/ adhesive coating
A4325 Male external catheter w/ adhesive strip
A4326 Male external catheter integral collection chamber
A4327 Female external urinary collection device meatal
A4328 Female external urinary collection device pouch

Incontinence can affect both men and women of all age groups. Up to 33% of adults are affected with urinary incontinence in United States.

Traditional method of managing incontinence such as indwelling catheter or absorbent pads give rise to additional clinical complications. These complications increase hospital stay, complicate recovery and elevate economic burden.

External catheters are an excellent alternative to indwelling catheter or absorbent pads. These catheters help in preventing IAD, CAUTI urethral injuries and other severe complications. Medicare covers external urinary catheter for both men and women that cannot use indwelling catheter as an alternative.

Consure medical has developed a full spectrum of active incontinence management solution which can reduce clinical complications, HAIs/HACs by over 50%.

QiVi is a novel external catheter that diverts urine using an external suction source, minimizing CAUTI, IAD, MASD while providing up to 99.6% accurate output measurement.

QiVi MEC

QiVi MEC

QiVi FEC

QiVi FEC

  1. QiVi MEC can be reimbursed with the HCPCS code A4326 under male external catheter with integral collection chamber and QiVi FEC is covered under the category of “female external urinary collection device; pouch, each” with HCPCS code of A4328.
  2. About 30-35 QiVi devices are reimbursed per month with an amount ranging from $11.22-$13.96

QiVi AUM and QiVi Lite are designed for low resource setting and long-term urine incontinence care. QiVi AUM is a vacuum enabled drainage bag for accurate and real time output measurement, and improved patient comfort due to its low ambient noise.

QiVi Lite leverages the material and design properties from QiVi MEC and diverts the urine output into a drainage bag without any requirement of external suction resource.

  1. The AUM is covered under Medicare category “Bedside drainage bag. Day or night, with or without anti-reflux device, with or without tube, each” with HCPCS code A4357. The monthly reimbursement quantity is 2 within an amount of $10.10- $13.22.

    QiVi Lite

    QiVi Lite

  2. The Medicare reimbursement amount for QiVi Lite is $11.22-$13.96 under category “Male external catheter with integral collection chamber, any type, each” The quantity reimbursed is 30-35 per month.

To gain more information about Consure Medical’s novel incontinence product line, write to us at [email protected] or contact us at (800) 520-4714

20 replies on “Are External Catheters Covered By Medicare?”

Joansays:

I was wondering if one of these device would help my 90 year old Mother. She is not very mobile and uses a walker to get around, and just started to use O2. She drinks very little water due to the fact she has to pee at least every hour or 2 sometimes 1/2 hr. She cannot get a goodnight sleep due to the fact she needs to use bathroom all the time. Would this external unit possibly help her. She also has a prolapsed bladder which makes it difficult for her to pee at times.

Consure Medicalsays:

We understand your concern for your 90-year-old mother and the challenges she’s facing with urinary issues. It’s thoughtful of you to explore potential solutions to help improve her situation. However, external catheters are usually not designed to manage urinary incontinence in ambulatory patients. Catheters such as Purewick, Primafit, and QiVi work best when patients are bedridden.

QiVi Female External Catheter when used with a disposable undergarment helps patients get better sleep, recover faster, and prevent accidental falls due to repeated bathroom visits, especially at night.

These catheters (Purewick, Primafit, and QiVi) use suction/negative pressure from an external source to divert urine. For patients outside the hospitals and healthcare systems, a portable suction device is needed to use these external catheters. Consure Medical’s AUM is an external drainage bag that has an inbuilt suction mechanism and can be coupled with QiVi FEC or other external catheters to enhance their functionality.

Heather Pettygrovesays:

So what can be done to aid a person who has had repeated falls due to night time trips to the bathroom, is on diuretics and is limited ambulatory. My mother is in this situation and the purwick used in the hospital helped her so much but I am struggling to find an outpatient solution.

Consure Medicalsays:

Hi Heather

For patients outside the hospitals and healthcare systems, a portable suction device is needed to use these urine catheters. Consure Medical’s AUM is an external drainage bag that has an inbuilt suction mechanism and can be coupled with QiVi Female external catheter to divert urine effluents away from the body.

QiVi FEC is a truly external female catheter that fits over the labia which is secured with adhesive and mitigates the risk of IAD, and CAUTI. The novel derma-friendly adhesive helps offset device anchoring to the less sensitive area of the suprapubic to reduce discomfort and unwanted sensation It is designed to channel urine away from the body through negative pressure suction into a collection canister. QiVi Female External Catheter helps patients get better sleep, recover faster, and prevent accidental falls due to repeated bathroom visits, especially at night.

For price-related queries and to know more about QiVi Female external catheter, mail us at [email protected]

Grace Lidzbarskisays:

Hello,
My mom is 85 with urinary incontinence and gets up 2 to 3 times at night to empty her bladder. She will be having shoulder replacement soon and I concerned for her safety when get out of bed to use the restroom. Does medical/Medicare cover cost of Purewick catheters?

Consure Medicalsays:

Hello Grace, You could try code A4328 for Medicare but a DME would be able to assist you with billing.

Colleen Nikstenassays:

Hi, so, for a slightly more ambulatory patient, what would be the better choice of incontinence supply for a female with polyuria as well as incontinence? the diuretics increase her level of output as well. My mom has this, and is heading into some kidney and diabetes issues as well, and so has high output, but is still mildly ambulatory with assistance.

Consure Medicalsays:

Hi Colleen

Most external urine management devices for female incontinence require a source of negative pressure suction that can be obtained from portable suction devices (such as QiVi AUM). Our product QiVi female external catheter coupled with QiVi AUM could be a potential solution for your incontinence but only during bedridden times/sleeping hours.

QiVi FEC is a truly external female catheter which fits over the labia which is secured with adhesive and mitigates risk of IAD, CAUTI. The novel derma-friendly adhesive helps offset device anchoring to the less sensitive area of the suprapubic to reduce discomfort and skin irritation. The flexible frame contours the anatomy keeping the device in place and minimizing incidences of leakage. It is designed to channel urine away from the body through negative pressure suction into a collection canister. The device is soft, flexible, and can be worn for up to 24 hours

For price related queries and to know more about QiVi Female external catheter, mail us at [email protected]

Mary b womacksays:

I have incontinence bad. I can’t control my bladder function day or night. I am more concerned with nighttime protection. I use a walker to get around and wear diapers. What would you suggest for me to help that is covered by Medicare. My urologist said surgery and certain medications would not be advisable for me. I am 73

Consure Medicalsays:

Hi Mary,

Most external urine management devices for the female anatomy are designed for non-ambulatory bedridden patients. These devices require a source of negative pressure suction that can be obtained from portable suction devices (such as QiVi AUM). Our product QiVi female external catheter coupled with QiVi AUM could be a potential solution for your incontinence but only during bedridden times/sleeping hours.

QiVi FEC is a truly external female catheter which fits over the labia which is secured with adhesive and mitigates risk of IAD, CAUTI. The novel derma-friendly adhesive helps offset device anchoring to the less sensitive area of the suprapubic to reduce discomfort and unwanted sensation It is designed to channel urine away from the body through negative pressure suction into a collection canister.

You could reach out to your local DME provider that handles Medicare billing and request them to get in touch with us. For price related queries and to know more about QiVi Female external catheter, mail us at [email protected]

Heather Pettygrovesays:

My mother was recently hospitalized and used the Purwick system in the hospital; there was a commercial on TV stating that Medicare covered most of the cost of the at home system. Being my mom has fallen a lot over the past few years at night mostly due to attempts to get to the bathroom we are trying to locate how to get this benefit in her home.

Marysays:

My mother is cared for at home by private pay CNAs not an “in network” nurse.
An “in network” nurse visits once a week, but she needs daily care with her incontinence (she is bedridden).

Her PCP wrote a prescription for an external catheter, but not one currently covered by her United Healthcare plan. It was a Purwick.

If my mom gets a prescription from her PCP for your catheter QiVi FEC and portable suction device QiVi AUM, where do we send the prescription to get the equipment and supplies so that it is covered by Medicare?

It is not an “in network” provider that cares for her incontinence, but rather hired help so they wouldn’t get the supplies for us we would need to go directly to the supplier.

Thank you for your help.

Karen Briscosays:

Did you ever get the insurance to pay for it? My mom was in hospital and used it too. It was a lifesaver knowing she wasn’t sitting in urine all day. Mother has Medicare and United health care through Farm Bureau. Just wondering if it’s possible to get help. I probably won’t find this site again so please email me direct.

Karen in Tennessee

Cherylsays:

Mary, I don’t think any advantage Medicare program will help with the cost. However, call all the advantage Medicare programs and ask if the devices for incontinence is covered. If none, call go back on plan Medicare.

Cherylsays:

Mary, I don’t think any advantage Medicare program will help with the cost. However, call all the advantage Medicare programs and ask if the devices for incontinence is covered. If none, call go back on plain Medicare.

Jaimie Stricklandsays:

Hi! My Mom is bedridden with a broken femur and Lewy Body Dementia. She is being transferred from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility and we would like to get a Purewick for her so she doesn’t have to be rolled on her side as much as it’s quite traumatic for her. How do we get medicare to provide one of these? How do we order it or get it reimbursed? Any help would be so appreciated!

Consure Medicalsays:

Hey Jaimie

Sorry to hear that. We don’t have much information about purewick reimbursement. But Consure Medical has QiVi Female External Catheter which fits over the labia and is secured with adhesive . The adhesive helps offset device anchoring to the less sensitive area of the suprapubic region to reduce discomfort and skin irritation. The flexible frame contours the anatomy keeping the device in place and minimizing incidences of leakage. The device is soft, flexible, and can be worn for up to 24 hours.

As per CMS female external catheters are covered under medicare category of “female external urinary collection device; pouch, each” with HCPCS code of A4328. However, there is a limit on the number of devices and dollar value that can be covered per month. Depending on the product you chose, you may receive full coverage from your insurance provider. You may contact your local DME to procure the product.

For more information email us at [email protected]

Johnsays:

Hello, my family just purchased a Purewick system for our Mother who is 83. She has a rare skin condition called Pyoderma. Adhesives could potentially exacerbate pyoderma.
Use of the Purewick has been successful but are not being covered by any insurance currently.

We are hoping there is a path to be reimbursed for at least the cathers. Any guidance would be very appreciated.

Consure Medicalsays:

Hi John
Sorry to hear that. We donot have much information about purewick but Consure Medical’s QiVi Female External Catheter fits over the labia and is secured with derma friendly adhesive. The adhesive helps offset device anchoring to the less sensitive area of the suprapubic region to reduce discomfort and skin irritation. The flexible frame contours the anatomy keeping the device in place and minimizing incidences of leakage. The device is soft, flexible, and can be worn for up to 24 hours.

As per CMS female external catheters are covered under medicare category of “female external urinary collection device; pouch, each” with HCPCS code of A4328. However, there is a limit on the number of devices and dollar value that can be covered per month. Depending on the product you chose, you may receive full coverage from your insurance provider. You may contact your local DME to procure the product.

For more information email us at [email protected]

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