March 1999

March 1999

The Voice of Courage
PUBLISHED TO ENLIGHTEN THE NEW LARYNGECTOMEES ABOUT THEIR FUTURE LIFE, SINCE MID 1972

By Dean Rosecrans P.O. Box 310 Nampa, Idaho 83653 1-800-237-3699 03/10/99

Comfort | Medicare |

| Comfort |

Over twenty five years ago I came across the ideal way to keep the stoma clean, warm and moist without any chemicals or uncomfortable apparatus. The foam filtering material was new on the market and available in different densities and porosity. Many were used to filter air depending on the size of the debris to be removed. This patented material was just beginning to be used in medical applications to retain moisture. Combined with surgical adhesive it made the perfect covering for my stoma. I was told to keep my stoma covered, warm and moist.

In 1972, a person that sat around the house or was not active, just left the stoma uncovered and put on a crocheted bib when company came or they left the comfort of their home. The laryngectomee of today wants to be active with their friends or out working the same as before surgery.

All of this is made possible with the Foam Filter. Not just a piece of plastic stuck over the hole in the neck but an active filtering system that needs to be changed often, depending on the atmosphere and activity of the user.

The time to change was left to the discretion of the user until recently when HFCA decided that the one time prescription must be upgraded to specify just how many changes per day can be done in any 90 day period.

Please take note of the enclosed prescription form. It has a few changes that will change your way of life. Now there is two distinct Medicare Diagnosis Codes, 161.9 and V44.0. One is for an artificial Larynx for a laryngectomee and one is for tracheostoma covers for a tracheostomy patient.

The artificial larynx code also covers two batteries every six months and repairs as needed. The regions that now pay Medicare claims have changed the codes that they use to pay for Stoma Care Products. Not only do you need to prove you have had your larynx removed to get an artificial larynx but you need to prove that you have a trach to receive tracheostoma covers.

A new prescription such as the one enclosed will shortly be needed by every Region that pays Medicare and/or most major medical insurance claims. This prescription can be signed by any Medical Doctor with a UPIN number. Yes, even an eye Doctor can prescribe your daily usage of Stoma Care Products.

Also added to the equation is the 90 day restriction. If you purchase Foam Filters in January and use them all in a short period of time you must wait until April to reorder if you want Medicare to pay.

If your Doctor can foresee any medical problem that might require more per day, more per day must be prescribed. We must have a prescription on file that allows for the purchase of more unless you want to pay for them yourself and not be reimbursed by your insurance.

My normal usage is at least four per day or 360 in a 90 day period. Important, take the enclosed prescription form with you when you next see a physician. Discuss your daily needs for Stoma Care Products, bearing in mind your occasional coughing bout, and have this prescription form properly completed.

Then make copies of the signed and dated prescription because it becomes your new one time prescription until they change it again. Keep the original and send a copy to all of your suppliers.

Oh, you say your are not on Medicare or don't have any Medical Insurance, well do it anyway. Someday soon, you might reach the age of 65 or find Medical insurance coverage.

| Medicare |

Medicare Part B is costly, but for a laryngectomee the return is more than the $600 annual premium. Part B pays for all Doctor visits. The Doctor visits alone can be more than cost of the premiums. Part B. also pays 80% of the cost for the Stoma Care Products used daily by a laryngectomee.

Yes, the deductible, each year can be met by the purchase of Stoma Care Products. Then 80% of all Doctor's fees and quarterly purchases of $100.00 or more (depending on the new prescription) in stoma Care products will be returned to the Medicare beneficiary.

Remember I will donate 10%, of the cost of your order, to your favorite laryngectomee charity or support group on any order over $100.00.

Comfort | Medicare |

< Back to In the News

[ Home ] [ About Us ] [ Contact Us ] [ In the News ] [ Products ] [ Guest Book ] [ Credit Card ]

March 1999
The Voice of Courage PUBLISHED TO ENLIGHTEN THE NEW LARYNGECTOMEES ABOUT THEIR FUTURE LIFE, SINCE MID 1972 By Dean Rosecrans P.O. Box 310 Nampa, Idaho 83653 1-800-237-3699 03/10/99
Comfort \| Medicare \|
\| Comfort \| Over twenty five years ago I came across the ideal way to keep the stoma clean, warm and moist without any chemicals or uncomfortable apparatus. The foam filtering material was new on the market and available in different densities and porosity. Many were used to filter air depending on the size of the debris to be removed. This patented material was just beginning to be used in medical applications to retain moisture. Combined with surgical adhesive it made the perfect covering for my stoma. I was told to keep my stoma covered, warm and moist. In 1972, a person that sat around the house or was not active, just left the stoma uncovered and put on a crocheted bib when company came or they left the comfort of their home. The laryngectomee of today wants to be active with their friends or out working the same as before surgery. All of this is made possible with the Foam Filter. Not just a piece of plastic stuck over the hole in the neck but an active filtering system that needs to be changed often, depending on the atmosphere and activity of the user. The time to change was left to the discretion of the user until recently when HFCA decided that the one time prescription must be upgraded to specify just how many changes per day can be done in any 90 day period. Please take note of the enclosed prescription form. It has a few changes that will change your way of life. Now there is two distinct Medicare Diagnosis Codes, 161.9 and V44.0. One is for an artificial Larynx for a laryngectomee and one is for tracheostoma covers for a tracheostomy patient. The artificial larynx code also covers two batteries every six months and repairs as needed. The regions that now pay Medicare claims have changed the codes that they use to pay for Stoma Care Products. Not only do you need to prove you have had your larynx removed to get an artificial larynx but you need to prove that you have a trach to receive tracheostoma covers. A new prescription such as the one enclosed will shortly be needed by every Region that pays Medicare and/or most major medical insurance claims. This prescription can be signed by any Medical Doctor with a UPIN number. Yes, even an eye Doctor can prescribe your daily usage of Stoma Care Products. Also added to the equation is the 90 day restriction. If you purchase Foam Filters in January and use them all in a short period of time you must wait until April to reorder if you want Medicare to pay. If your Doctor can foresee any medical problem that might require more per day, more per day must be prescribed. We must have a prescription on file that allows for the purchase of more unless you want to pay for them yourself and not be reimbursed by your insurance. My normal usage is at least four per day or 360 in a 90 day period. Important, take the enclosed prescription form with you when you next see a physician. Discuss your daily needs for Stoma Care Products, bearing in mind your occasional coughing bout, and have this prescription form properly completed. Then make copies of the signed and dated prescription because it becomes your new one time prescription until they change it again. Keep the original and send a copy to all of your suppliers. Oh, you say your are not on Medicare or don't have any Medical Insurance, well do it anyway. Someday soon, you might reach the age of 65 or find Medical insurance coverage.		\| Medicare \| Medicare Part B is costly, but for a laryngectomee the return is more than the $600 annual premium. Part B pays for all Doctor visits. The Doctor visits alone can be more than cost of the premiums. Part B. also pays 80% of the cost for the Stoma Care Products used daily by a laryngectomee. Yes, the deductible, each year can be met by the purchase of Stoma Care Products. Then 80% of all Doctor's fees and quarterly purchases of $100.00 or more (depending on the new prescription) in stoma Care products will be returned to the Medicare beneficiary. Remember I will donate 10%, of the cost of your order, to your favorite laryngectomee charity or support group on any order over $100.00.
Comfort \| Medicare \|