I live in NY and have strictly Medicare with a Medigap policy and Medicare part D program to cover some of my drugs. I don't have any Medicaid (which does cover IV's). Medicare sadly does not cover home IV's which explains why I usually wind up as an inpatient in the hospital for them. They may cover part of the drug costs (depending on what type of part D program you have) but they do not cover the supplies or the fees that the home company charges for you to have IV's at home. Last time my hospital tried to get me home, the home company did not budge with their costs, without the meds, I would have to pay $79 a day for supplies, their on call services, disposal services and supplies. That is without the meds. In NY if I am not mistaken, there aren't any part D policies that cover all types of meds, even through their doughnut hole. I have a policy that covers just generics through that part, last year the same policy included generics, brand names and specialty (IV's) through the gap (doughnut hole). This year, nope. I know...it doesn't make any sense to put someone in the hospital which costs much much more than home IV's. My last visit in the hospital topped at over $100,000 for 2 months of therapy. Now..I ask, how much do you think it would have cost if did my own meds at home? There goes our tax dollars.....
I hope that this has helped, I am sure others will chime in and give more info too. The bottom line is that if you have ONLY Medicare and no other insurance like Medicaid, then home IV's aren't covered.
Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
