topic Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks in Wellness

Medical Grade Compression Socks

lavenderfields — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 18:37:04 GMT

I was recently diagnosed with an acute extensive blood clot in my thigh and calf. I'm on blood thinner now. My vascular surgeon's office recommended that I wear 20-30 mmHg compression socks. My insurance won't pay for them. I purchased a knee high pair of Sigvaris brand at my local medical supply store to the tune of $75 out the door! I really need more than one pair and my doctor said that thigh highs would benefit me.

My doctor didn't recommend a specific brand and I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a more economical , comfortable option.

Thanks for any recommendations.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

SilleeMee — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 18:49:04 GMT

Did your doctor write a Rx for your compression stockings? If so then Medicare may cover them.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

lavenderfields — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 18:53:44 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
Did your doctor write a Rx for your compression stockings? If so then Medicare may cover them.

I'm 3.5 years from being eligible for medicare. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

PinkyPetunia — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 19:06:24 GMT

Amazon sells all kinds of compression socks.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

SilleeMee — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 19:09:24 GMT

@lavenderfields wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
Did your doctor write a Rx for your compression stockings? If so then Medicare may cover them.
I'm 3.5 years from being eligible for medicare. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

You will still need a Rx from your doctor for your health insurance to cover the compression stockings. If the stockings are deemed a medical necessity then it should be covered.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

SilleeMee — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 19:35:17 GMT

Most all compression stockings need to be replaced every 6 months. They lose their compresssion over time. They also need to be washed daily and should not be worn longer than a day between washings.

I wear compression socks everyday b/c of a side effect from my medication causes my legs to swell. It's not a medical necessity for me to wear them but it's because of discomfort. I wear JOBST brand and they have to be short length for petites.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

JeanLouiseFinch — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 19:52:17 GMT

I've purchased compression hose from a website called discount surgical.

If you have never worn compression hose before, be advised that it can turn into a real wrestling match, trying to get them on. I highly recommended getting the open toe/toeless version. Put a baggie over your foot and work the sock over your foot and up your calf. When it's in place, pull the toe end of the sock up over your foot to remove the baggie and then readjust the sock back onto your foot.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

Kachina624 — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 20:57:47 GMT

@lavenderfields. Everytime I need such medical supplies, my doctor writes a prescription, i take it to the medical supply store, they give me the product and bill my insurance. I've never paid a penny.

I can't imagine your doctor sent you off to get the stocking without a prescription.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

BklynKinsey — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 21:35:47 GMT

I have worn Sigvaris knee highs 20-30 (with silicone band so they don't slip down) for years. They work and I find them very comfortable. I buy them online at foryourlegsdotcom. I pay for them myself.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

kate2357 — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 23:47:39 GMT

@BklynKinsey

Thank you for posting that site info. They also seem to have the same JOBST open toe thigh length compression socks on Amazon. Price was very close to the For Your Legs sale price.

I am going to try these soon. I have knee high compression socks now, but when they need to be replaced, I will be ordering thigh high. I will be wearing under my running pants.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

wagirl — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 15:30:38 GMT

@lavenderfields --I think I would check AMZ. Ridiculous that insurance won't pay for them!!! All you need is the info you already have------make sure AMZ excepts returns tho --sometimes they won't due to the nature of the item.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

Zoe — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 16:42:18 GMT

Been wearing compression socks for 15 years. They are ineed VERY expensive. The cheapest I've been able to find the exact full length socks I need is $65/pair.

Your doctor should write a prescription. Then, your insurance should cover it, though they may have a max number covered per year. NOTE: most insurance companies view an individual sock as a "unit" -- NOT a pair. Also, check around your area for local sellers. While most sellers won't work directly with insurance, some may.

All compression socks are not created equal. When I first was required to wear a compression sock, my medical practice brought in a local provider who went over all of the options -- color, edging, brands, style, etc. Seems your doctor's office should be offering a little more support. Do they have a patient advocate who can perhaps help? There are different types of compression socks that work best for different types of issues (clots vs. lymphedema vs. lipedema).

I've tried Sigvaris in the past and didn't like their foot pattern, which was straighter compared to other brands. It was creating a ligature at my ankle. My tried & true brand is Juzo.

Good luck! There are options out there. You just need to find your network. Lean on your doctor's office to provide more guidance, resources, and direction. Just a mention of a compression sock is the bare minimum a service provider could (should) do.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

lavenderfields — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 02:55:45 GMT

@Zoe wrote:
Been wearing compression socks for 15 years. They are ineed VERY expensive. The cheapest I've been able to find the exact full length socks I need is $65/pair.

Your doctor should write a prescription. Then, your insurance should cover it, though they may have a max number covered per year. NOTE: most insurance companies view an individual sock as a "unit" -- NOT a pair. Also, check around your area for local sellers. While most sellers won't work directly with insurance, some may.

All compression socks are not created equal. When I first was required to wear a compression sock, my medical practice brought in a local provider who went over all of the options -- color, edging, brands, style, etc. Seems your doctor's office should be offering a little more support. Do they have a patient advocate who can perhaps help? There are different types of compression socks that work best for different types of issues (clots vs. lymphedema vs. lipedema).

I've tried Sigvaris in the past and didn't like their foot pattern, which was straighter compared to other brands. It was creating a ligature at my ankle. My tried & true brand is Juzo.

Good luck! There are options out there. You just need to find your network. Lean on your doctor's office to provide more guidance, resources, and direction. Just a mention of a compression sock is the bare minimum a service provider could (should) do.

I live in a very small community with 2 vascular surgeons in the whole county. The nurse practitioner that I saw measured my leg and told me what size to buy. She said that they could write a prescription but insurance usually doesn't pay for compression socks. There is one small medical supply store in my area. The nurse practitioner told me to look on Amazon or buy at the medical supply store. I will look for the Juzo brand. Thank you for your suggestions.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

CelticCrafter — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:16:19 GMT

@lavenderfields wrote:
@Zoe wrote:
Been wearing compression socks for 15 years. They are ineed VERY expensive. The cheapest I've been able to find the exact full length socks I need is $65/pair.

Your doctor should write a prescription. Then, your insurance should cover it, though they may have a max number covered per year. NOTE: most insurance companies view an individual sock as a "unit" -- NOT a pair. Also, check around your area for local sellers. While most sellers won't work directly with insurance, some may.

All compression socks are not created equal. When I first was required to wear a compression sock, my medical practice brought in a local provider who went over all of the options -- color, edging, brands, style, etc. Seems your doctor's office should be offering a little more support. Do they have a patient advocate who can perhaps help? There are different types of compression socks that work best for different types of issues (clots vs. lymphedema vs. lipedema).

I've tried Sigvaris in the past and didn't like their foot pattern, which was straighter compared to other brands. It was creating a ligature at my ankle. My tried & true brand is Juzo.

Good luck! There are options out there. You just need to find your network. Lean on your doctor's office to provide more guidance, resources, and direction. Just a mention of a compression sock is the bare minimum a service provider could (should) do.
I live in a very small community with 2 vascular surgeons in the whole county. The nurse practitioner that I saw measured my leg and told me what size to buy. She said that they could write a prescription but insurance usually doesn't pay for compression socks. There is one small medical supply store in my area. The nurse practitioner told me to look on Amazon or buy at the medical supply store. I will look for the Juzo brand. Thank you for your suggestions.

@lavenderfields I would go back and tell them to write the prescription, not up to her to tell you that insurance doesn't pay for it. You have nothing to lose, submit it, if they pay they pay and if they don't then they don't.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

Trailrun23 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 20:48:00 GMT

Copperfit medical grade compression socks-20-30. DH must wear compression socks nonstop due to lymphedema and these are fabulous. I order them for him on the Copperfit website. The other brands the doctor mentioned are $80 and more. He tried a couple of pair of them but prefers these. The Copperfit have helped keep his numbers down. If you have any problems putting on compression socks, try the "sock puppet" method that we found on Youtube. The Copperfit socks come 2 pr to a pkg and they are far less expensive, but just as effective. He has been wearing this brand for over 2 years and they are helping him manage his condition well.Medicare pays zero for compression socks; Aetna said no and so did Medicare.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

jubilant — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:25:51 GMT

I wanted to add that I saw some Jobst advertised on Amazon for $58.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

SoCal Bred — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:42:42 GMT

You might want to try Ames Walker, they sell compression socks and pretty good sales at times too.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

conlt — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 18:57:53 GMT

I am wearing a thigh high compression hose right now on my left leg because I had a vein procedure the other day. I am a RN so I know how to put them on easy. Put your hand through so the heel of your hand is at the heel of the sock. Then put the sock over your foot, adjust the heel and pull them up a bit at a time. Don't try to put them on with the entire sock extended. That is to hard. I had to buy the compression sock at my doctor's office. 1 sock is $25, it is thigh high with the little silicone things to hold it up.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

SouthernBee — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 01:24:53 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch : Thank you. The baggie suggestion really makes it a lot easier to put the compression socks on. I am dealing with ulcerative colitis and on a high dose of prednisone with swollen feet . I hurt my back taking something out of the dryer. DH has really struggled trying to put my compression socks on. What a difference.

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I've purchased compression hose from a website called discount surgical.

If you have never worn compression hose before, be advised that it can turn into a real wrestling match, trying to get them on. I highly recommended getting the open toe/toeless version. Put a baggie over your foot and work the sock over your foot and up your calf. When it's in place, pull the toe end of the sock up over your foot to remove the baggie and then readjust the sock back onto your foot.

Re: Medical Grade Compression Socks

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 05:03:20 GMT

@SouthernBee wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch : Thank you. The baggie suggestion really makes it a lot easier to put the compression socks on. I am dealing with ulcerative colitis and on a high dose of prednisone with swollen feet . I hurt my back taking something out of the dryer. DH has really struggled trying to put my compression socks on. What a difference.
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I've purchased compression hose from a website called discount surgical.

If you have never worn compression hose before, be advised that it can turn into a real wrestling match, trying to get them on. I highly recommended getting the open toe/toeless version. Put a baggie over your foot and work the sock over your foot and up your calf. When it's in place, pull the toe end of the sock up over your foot to remove the baggie and then readjust the sock back onto your foot.

You're welcome, @SouthernBee. Glad I could be of some help. A nurse showed me that trick when I was in the hospital some years ago.