How do I bill Medicare for durable goods?

Tnx for your help, all.

Right, you call Anthem and ask how to submit the bill.

We have Medicare and Anthem Blue Cross as part B. So, we're covered during this enrollment time. The Home Health Care company, right now, is providing me catheters. (Found out after I bought a few at a Medicare distributer. He said I had to bill Medicare). So ----- I need to call Anthem Blue Cross?

Cheyenne, if you go through a Medical Provider that accepts Medicare (your version of it if you have an Advantage Plan - or your family member) they will verify what Medicare will pay for, what your copay will be and guarantee that the equipment matches prescription. If you just submit a bill to your insurance company that administers your Medicare plan, you run the risk of purchase being rejected or paid at lower amount (kinda like visiting a doctor out of network). Likewise with catheters, some insurance plans cover them under B and some do not (like some plans cover insulin but not syringes or test strips). Check with the insurance plan to find out what providers are part of their network to make sure you get the best coverage you can.

You ask your insurance carrier who they contract with. Medicare part B covers up to 200 catheters per month. I highly recommend you get a good Medicare Advantage or Supplemental policy. Open enrollment is NOW.

BTW, catheters aren't durable goods. From what I understand, a few companies will handle them using Medicare -- I believe it may be Part B, but I'm not sure.

From what I understand, durable goods have to be bought through a company that has been approved by Medicare. The company will handle the billing. I haven't dealt with this myself, so don't have any firsthand knowledge. Others that have dealt with it should be able to tell you more.