My new insurance no longer covers sodium chloride solution 7%

@blm1007blm1007 The only choice I had in my area was Aetna Medicare Complete. (Not supplemental). The only problem I'm having is their refusal to authorize the saline I need since they claim not FDA approved. Unbelievable.

@heidi0974 I want to be sure I understood correctly regarding using the DME supply store at the hospital.
Are you saying when having checked your EOB you could see that Medicare paid for your.
1. Compressor
2. Nebulizing items....cups/tubing
3. Saline solution, Pari Vios
Barbara

@blm1007blm1007
Barbara, I have not received the EOB yet. The DME at the hospital has billed my nebulizer and accessories, after checking my Medicare first to assure it was a covered item and it was. The saline I received at the specialty pharmacy same hospital. They also checked, it was not approved . I paid $21 for 60 vials of 70% saline. This is a big University hospital system right here in my town. Jeanne

@ronneee I'm sorry I don't understand what you are asking. My cost was $22.00 with the GoodRX coupon

@ronneee Mine is labeled “sterile and pyrogenic”. I was required to get it through the specialty pharmacy at the hospital. They also manage my Brinsupri. Jeanne

@heidi0974 I found out there is a DME supply store at another major hospital than where I have been going. I am going to eventually have the pulmonologist write a prescription for the compressor and nebulizing items and see what happens.
If you have time and think of it when the EOB comes, I would be interested to see how it all turned out.
Thanks for taking time to reply.
Barbara

@blm1007blm1007 I will be sure to report back after the Medicare DME claim is processed. I don’t expect it for several weeks. An independent DME supplier I checked with first said that the Pari prescribed would be a special order taking three weeks.Then a prior approval process with Medicare. Quite a hassle. When I went to order at my hospital supplier it all took about 30 minutes, and I walked out with everything I needed plus training.
Jeanne

Check GoodRx. The price varies significantly between Walmart, CVS, Walgreens etc. Choose lowest priced option and show coupon from the GoodRx app to pharmacy when you go to purchase. For me, Walgreens has best deal so far.

@mjb24 I was on chat with Medicare at length after talking to the pharmacy. Although pharmacy billed under Part B, Medicare did not approve my saline solution although I was clearly eligible under their guidelines. The explanation Medicare gave me was circuitous and ended with me frustrated because I was directed to check my prescription plan again (which does not cover the saline ) but said it should be covered by Part B. I don’t need this kind of aggravation so I will pay out of pocket for now.

I get it for about $12 at Walgreens using GoodRx coupon (60 vials 7%)