1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

7% Sodium Chloride & Medicare B

Posted by happyhealthyme @happyhealthyme, Mar 20 10:19am

My doctor sent a prescription to Rite Aid for 7% Sodium Chloride nebulizer solution, but Rite Aid is telling me that the Medicare website is down (for several weeks now) so they can't check whether my Medicare B would cover the cost. Otherwise, Rite Aid charges over $100 for the solution. Any suggestions on how to get around this?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 23 5:35pm
In reply to @dolllover "I get 9% sodium chloride from Amazon. Pack of 100 for 18.92. Came with first nebulizer...." + (show)
@dolllover

I get 9% sodium chloride from Amazon. Pack of 100 for 18.92. Came with first nebulizer. It is easy to order and comes to your door. I am home bound so can't get out and shop. I hope this helps someone. I also use raw Manuka Honey. This isn't honey most of us are used to and it's a bit pricey but it really brings up mucus. It may not work for everybody but certainly works for me. We must get healthier. 🙂

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I'm glad to hear you are using saline to help clear your airways, but could you check the label on the box? I don't think there is a 9% saline solution on the market - but rather 0.9%, which is not very strong. If you have MAC and are trying to tamp it down without antibiotics, 7% is the recommended strength, or 3% if you cannot tolerate 7%.
Some people also alternate 3% and 7% or mix the two together, which yields 5% (You can safely keep the open vials to use within 24 hours.)

Sue

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 23 5:43pm
In reply to @bateman "My pulmonologist says only use 7% sodium chloride & I do have to have a prescription...." + (show)
@bateman

My pulmonologist says only use 7% sodium chloride & I do have to have a prescription. My nebulizer is from medicare.

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If you have a prescription, you can buy it from a Medicare Part B Pharmacy (and Medicare Part B covers it when used in a prescribed nebulizer.
@ljostroga1973 - this is an exception to prescription meds being covered under Part D - medications used in a "durable medical device" - like albuterol, budosenide, 7% saline - are Part B items. I can't put my fingers on the Medicare document right now< but we have discussed it here before.

Also, to those who CANOT get a 7% saline Rx - it can be purchased without a prescription on Amazon and a few other places. When I was fighting over it with Medicare, I bought it once using my FSA (Flexible Spending Account) card - it is covered like OTC meds.

Silly games we have to play - but in the grand scheme of things, if it keeps me healthy, I'd rather pay for my own 7% saline than go back on the antibiotics.
Sue

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bateman | @bateman | Mar 23 6:20pm

My levalbuterol is free under Medicare B but 7% saline isn't. My Drug plan doesn't cover it either. Fortunately it's inexpensive through Krogers.

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happyhealthyme | @happyhealthyme | Mar 23 9:08pm
In reply to @dolllover "yes, I had the nebulizer from medicare and the meds the pulmonogist gave me made me..." + (show)
@dolllover

yes, I had the nebulizer from medicare and the meds the pulmonogist gave me made me real sick. I read on here that someone used hand held nebulizer with saline solution and it has really worked for me. I'm not saying it will work for everyone. The medicare nebulizer and meds were from medicare. Good Luck.

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I use an old Amron nebulizer and it works well for me.

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Toni D. | @tcd518 | Mar 24 9:38am
In reply to @bateman "After the saline, I use levalbuterol in nebulizer. He started me with albuterol but it made..." + (show)
@bateman

After the saline, I use levalbuterol in nebulizer. He started me with albuterol but it made me very nervous. The levalbuterol not so much.

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Hi Bateman. My pulmonologist is emphatic that the levalbuterol should be used before the 7% saline; he says the levalbuterol opens up the airways to allow the saline to do its "scrubbing" work. I had the same reaction to the albuterol as you, trembling and shaky. Stay well.

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