Does Medi-Cal cover incontinence supplies? If you’ve recently been diagnosed with incontinence or have a loved one needing incontinence supplies, you may wonder if Medi-Cal can help with the cost.
Urinary Incontinence
Various medical factors can cause urinary incontinence. Still, statistics tell us that it is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States today, with about 13 million Americans currently experiencing it.
What Is Urinary Incontinence Exactly?
At its core, urinary incontinence is the inability to control urination. Here are several different types of incontinence:
- Functional Incontinence: Functional incontinence is most common in cases where conditions restricting movements, such as arthritis or mental impairments, impede a patient’s ability to urinate regularly in the toilet.
- Mixed Incontinence: When a patient experiences more than one type of incontinence, as discussed above, it’s known as mixed incontinence.
- Overflow Incontinence: This type of urinary incontinence occurs when there is a constant urinary dribble, according to the bladder not completely emptying.
- Stress Incontinence: When actions like sneezing, coughing, laughing, lifting, and exercising cause urine leaks, this is known as stress incontinence; this form of incontinence is most common in women.
- Urge Incontinence: An involuntary loss of urine following a sudden and intense urge to urinate. Diabetes or other neurological disorders cause this type of incontinence.
Incontinence supplies help manage these types of urinary incontinence.
What Is Medi-Cal?
Medicaid currently covers approximately 75.4 million Americans in the United States, including individuals, families, pregnant women, disabled patients, the elderly, and children. These individuals who meet low-income or other requirements established by state and federal guidelines can qualify for no-cost or low-cost healthcare coverage by Medicaid.
While a federal program, Medicaid is managed locally by each state. The Medicaid program is known as Medi-Cal in California. According to California’s Department of Healthcare Services, 12 million people currently use Medi-Cal.
Who Is Eligible For Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal is only available to those who qualify under the state’s requirements. These qualifications include but may not be limited to the following:
- Age over 65
- Caregivers or parents of disabled individuals
- Disabled
- Individuals who are refugees in the U.S. temporarily
- Pregnancy
- Recipients of CaWorks, SSI, CalFresh, refugee assistance, and more
- Youth under the age of 21
There are also certain income limitations and restrictions that also apply to Medi-Cal eligibility. You can view these income requirements here.
Does Medi-Cal Cover Incontinence Supplies?
Understanding the Medi-Cal coverage for these types of services and supplies is essential. Examples of standard supplies and services covered are:
- Chronic disease management
- Dental care
- Emergency medical services
- Hospitalization
- Incontinence supplies
- Maternity care
- Medical Equipment and supplies
- Mental health services
- Newborn care
- Outpatient services
- Prescription medication
- Substance abuse services
- Vision care
There needs to be documented medical conditions, along with a doctor’s prescription, to receive coverage.
What Kind Of Incontinence Supplies Are Covered By Medi-Cal?
The type of incontinence supplies covered by Medi-Cal will vary from patient to patient and depend on individual needs. The types of incontinence supplies that are commonly prescribed and covered by Medi-Cal can include:
- Booster Pads: Placed inside a diaper or pull-up for additional absorbency.
- Cream: Barrier cream can be applied to a patient’s skin while using incontinence supplies to help keep moisture from resting on the skin.
- Diapers/Briefs: A more traditional style of incontinence supply; briefs are used for moderate to heavy incontinence and have tape tabs on the side for secure fitting.
- Gloves: Used by a patient or caregiver to improve sanitation while changing incontinence supplies.
- Pads/Liners: Pads and liners come in all shapes and sizes and can be used inside a patient’s underwear for light to medium incontinence support.
- Pull-Ups: Pull-ups are a form of disposable underwear used by men and women for moderate to heavy incontinence.
- Underpads: Also referred to as chux, underpads protect beds and seating surfaces from any incontinence-related leaking.
- Wash: For some patients, cleansing can be more straightforward during changes by using an incontinence wash. With this cleanser, spray it onto the skin and wipe it clean.
- Wipes: Incontinence wipes can be used for cleansing in between changes to keep the patient’s skin clean.
Within each incontinence supply category, Medi-Cal has specific medical requirements and quantity limitations that your healthcare provider and supplier can help you understand.
How Active Life Medical Products Can Help You Incontinence Supplies
You need a trusted incontinence product supplier when you require incontinence supplies. Active Life Medical Products makes ordering the entire incontinence supply process easy. Our Product Specialists can help you get your prescribed incontinence supplies covered through most insurances. Everything will be delivered directly and discreetly to your front door.
Call Active Life Medical Products at (800) 319-2336 to place your order.
