At a glance
Incontinence supplies are not covered by Original Medicare (Medicare Part and Medicare Part B) but may be covered by a Medicare Advantage plan from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem).
Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, provides coverage for all benefits found in Original Medicare as well as additional coverage for things like prescription drugs, dental, vision, or hearing care.
While Medicare Advantage plans do not usually cover incontinence supplies, they may be covered if your plan has an over-the-counter (OTC) benefit.
Keep reading below for more information on OTC benefits, incontinence supplies and Anthem Medicare Advantage plans.
Coverage of adult diapers and incontinence liners may be offered as an additional benefit in some Anthem Medicare Advantage plans. However, most incontinence products are covered under a plan’s over-the-counter benefits.
OTC benefits typically work by providing a monthly, quarterly or annual allowance on a prepaid debit card. OTC benefits are popular for purchasing non-prescription medications, but in many cases, the card may also be used to purchase other approved OTC products from your local pharmacy or through a catalog offering home delivery.
The list of over-the-counter products covered by Medicare Advantage plans may vary from one plan to another but may include things like cold and cough medications, bandages, vitamins and other items you might find in the pharmacy aisle at your local grocery store.
Medicare Part B and Anthem Medicare Advantage plans provide coverage for durable medical equipment (DME), which includes things like wheelchairs, crutches or walkers. However, incontinence supplies do not meet Medicare’s requirements to be classified as DME and are therefore not covered in this manner.
Some of the incontinence supplies that may be covered by a Medicare Advantage plan include:
To qualify for incontinence product coverage, you must be a member of a Medicare Advantage plan that includes OTC benefits, and the list of approved items must include incontinence supplies. Another way to qualify is being enrolled in a plan that offers direct coverage of adult diapers or liners.
You may need to purchase your incontinence supplies from a participating retailer in order to use your OTC benefits or coverage.
A licensed insurance agent will be able to help you find Anthem Medicare Advantage plans available in your area that provide over-the-counter benefits or other coverage for incontinence supplies.
A licensed insurance agent can also help confirm your Medicare Advantage eligibility and get you enrolled over the phone if you’re eligible.
Compare your Medigap plan options by visiting MedicareSupplement.com
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