topic Re: Catheter Ads in Community Chat

Catheter Ads

Retiredpsych — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:43:35 GMT

Ok...so I was very curious about why we are seeing all these catheter ads on TV all of a sudden. I don't know anyone who uses or used a catheter at home on a daily basis. But I am assuming there must be a lot of people who do. So I Goggled it. We are seeing them because Medicare used to allow only 24 catheters a month to Medicare patients who have a chronic condition and need to use them to go to the bathroom. That is less than one a day. Apparently many who use them were washing and reusing them, causing infection and a return to the hospital for treatment. That just changed from 24 to 200! No need to reuse them. So the companies who make them want you to know about all of the choices out there. Basically it is sort of a public service announcement. Question answered

Re: Catheter Ads

Bird mama — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:47:33 GMT

I feel so bad that catheter patients are allowed only so many. For heaven's sake, if a person needs to use a catheter, the last thing he/she needs is a urinary tract infection.

Re: Catheter Ads

151949 — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:53:29 GMT

My Dad was a paraplegic who had to be cathed every 3 hours around the clock to prevent incontinence which would lead to skin problems. He had medicare and a supplement and all of his 8 catheters a day were paid for in total - he never reused any - we never got a bill for any.And he died in 1992. So someone was paying for them, either medicare or blue cross.

Re: Catheter Ads

ROMARY — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 18:04:02 GMT

Nice that they are available free of charge. Much needed for many folks.

Re: Catheter Ads

Retiredpsych — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 18:21:18 GMT

On 9/14/2014 happy housewife said:
My Dad was a paraplegic who had to be cathed every 3 hours around the clock to prevent incontinence which would lead to skin problems. He had medicare and a supplement and all of his 8 catheters a day were paid for in total - he never reused any - we never got a bill for any.And he died in 1992. So someone was paying for them, either medicare or blue cross.

Yes...based upon the article I read regarding Medicare patients, previously, Medicare covered 24 a month, then your father's secondary (Blue Cross) paid for the rest. Many people don't have a secondary and rely on Medicare alone. This jump from 24 to 200 a month is a great help to them.

Re: Catheter Ads

irishmama5 — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 18:55:11 GMT

You would be horrified if you knew what medical supplies are washed and re-washed in homecare. The cost of basic supplies and what insurance will not pay for. One ex. Is the cather.

Re: Catheter Ads

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 20:15:12 GMT

I'm going to file that under ""Need to Know in about 30 Years"".

Re: Catheter Ads

Kachina624 — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 23:36:28 GMT

Seems to me like I've been seeing those ads for a long time.

Re: Catheter Ads

gazelle77 — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:18:30 GMT

For years I saw those commercials...was clueless as to what it was. Just googled it. Ok now I get it....

Re: Catheter Ads

TaxyLady — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:21:33 GMT

I hate all these ads.

Re: Catheter Ads

ROMARY — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 02:11:32 GMT

Off topic: Regarding commercials..........Who here isn't crazy about the vampire A*&T/ U-verse commercial? BTW: Seems as though they have spent thousands on us on paper mail advertising, too. A couple of mailings per week: large ones, too. Everyone around here is saying the same............

Re: Catheter Ads

corita — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 21:35:04 GMT

Every time I see those commercials, the word that comes to mind is a big "Ouch!" Glad Medicare is doing the right thing!

Re: Catheter Ads

viva923 — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 22:12:41 GMT

My husband uses catheters when the need arises. He has problems that come on very suddenly. We always keep catheters on hand at all times.

Back in 012 when problems presented itself (while he was across country attending a family funeral-his side of the family), we were on regular medical insurance back then. He flew home in agony-he was catheterized by the hospital before he flew back home--he went straight to the hospital when he arrived back in our state. He was only given a few catheters when he left the hospital here at home. We were told to reuse them because we would not be able to order anymore. In 014 (we are on medicare now ) DH got sick again wound up in the hospital and needed catheters once again, this time it was better, we were contacted by a national company who sells catheters and we were sent a sampling of catheters so my husband could choose which to use. He found the style he likes and has them on hand when he begins having problems

Re: Catheter Ads

Lucky Charm — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 23:26:05 GMT

I always said I don't want to be 'coded' or 'cathed'.

Re: Catheter Ads

151949 — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 23:33:04 GMT

I once went to catheterize a patient who was unable to void post surgery and he said no - i tried to talk him into it and he said "You see this body? I am the CEO of this body and that is not ever going to happen to it." I laughed so hard i could not breathe, then brought him a urinal and told him he would have to get it done before he could go home.

Re: Catheter Ads

Pickwickpapers — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 01:24:56 GMT

24 for a month is mean.......am glad that the number was changed for those who require caths.......but why was the number set so low anyway??? Whoever was in charge needs to try using only 24 caths themselves for thirty days..........

Re: Catheter Ads

FUTURE — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 01:29:38 GMT

I could do a lot of medical things to myself (shots, take blood, etc), but I don't think I could EVER cath myself. It makes me want to pass out just thinking about it. I've seen pts cathed before surgery, and I thought it was the worst part! I am really glad that Medicare people are getting more paid for. The cost of a UTI in the elderly can be astronomical! I've had several pts that had severe UTI's that lived at home independently, and ended up being in a nursing home afterward, as they never fully recovered. It can be very sad and tragic.

Re: Catheter Ads

Lucky Charm — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 02:08:58 GMT

I don't even know where it is!!! Where it would go.......

Re: Catheter Ads

missy1 — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 05:26:47 GMT

I don't know anyone who uses them, but there are a lot of commercials on this.

Re: Catheter Ads

hyacinth003 — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 19:39:21 GMT

On 9/15/2014 Lucky Charm said:
I don't even know where it is!!! Where it would go.......

In a man, it is pretty obvious!

In a woman, more teaching may be needed!!

It's not that bad.

Hyacinth