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How I got sodium chloride covered by Medicare part b
The problem: neither cvs or Walgreens would bill Medicare part b for 7% sodium chloride My part d prescriptions plan refused to pay because Medicare should pay since it is used with durable medical equipment (nebulizer) that Medicare supplies. So I was charged 50 dollars a month for sterile salt solution
The solution: I contacted the pharmacist at a large local hospital (Lee health in sw. Florida in my case). they have a special COPD pharmacist who deals with the ins and outs of Medicare billing . She did the paperwork and now I can pick up the prescription an the hospital pharmacy for 1 dollar.
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Brilliant!
@4712fridgie Good for you!!
@4712fridgie,
Thanks for that information.
Wow...you didn't give up and it paid off. You found one who knew how to handle it.
Do you have a contact number for them? What city is the pharmacy in? Do you know the name of the pharmacist you contacted? Do you mind sharing that information?
Barbara
Finally got it covered at U of Iowa Hospital through Medicare Part B!
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1 ReactionThat’s great! I am getting 3 months supply of 180 vials of 3% sodium chloride from Walgreens for $33 using GoodRx. Affordable but if that changes, I will try hospital pharmacy. Thanks.
@blm1007blm1007
I am in Ft Myers Florida and the hospital is Lee Memorial Hospital. We have an elderly population here and the hospital is large enough to have a dedicated hospital pharmacy, and a "Pharmacy clinical Specialist in Medication Therapy Management", AND, because of the patient volume, another specialized pharmacist who only deals with COPD medicare billing whose name I dont know. I think you need to find a large local hospital that has either/and a pharmacist who consults with patients on a one on one basis to discuss medication timing/interactions, or a pharmacist who works with medicare billing. I will contact my Pharmacy clinical specialist and ask her how someone in another city would locate her counterpart elsewhere. So stay tuned!
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2 Reactions@4712fridgie Thank you for reading and answering my post.
Yes, I know Florida fairly well and what you have said...an elderly population. Lived there, visited relatives there and vacationed there on both coasts.
That would be wonderful if you have the time to get that information.
I will also do some researching and visiting a pharmacy here in OKC that might be of help.
However I am glad to have that info you posted and to know what you are going to try to do and find out.
Thank you.
Barbara
@blm1007blm1007
I bet the University of Oklahoma Medical Center has comprehensive pharmacy services. I would start there.
@4712fridgie Started with the pharmacy in the Physicians Building at OU this past March and the saline was a good price, compared to what Walgreens and Costco quoted. but not covered under Medicare. Received 240 for $72.00. However, I am going to gather more information and do some more inquiry .
Barbara
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1 ReactionWhich hospital? I use Lee Health and go on Medicare in June