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The Real Cost of a Bag

Hey everyone, hope everyone is doing well.
I just need to vent a little anger right now. It's been just over ten years living with an ostomy. I really can't complain about it, it's saved my life and I am alive because of it.
I have always been with insurance, really really great insurance for a long time. I didn't have a co-pay for ever. Then my job got outscourced, insurance started to suck a bit. Now I had a 100 buck co-pay for 3 months worth of supplies. Now, my job got outscourced again a few months ago and no insurance. This isn't my bitch of poor me part of my anger.
I went to find out how much a month supply was going to run me. I literally shit my bag when I heard it. I was talking to an owner of a medical supply store. He said ostomy bags are extrememly over priced by the manifactures because they can, you need them so they stick it to you. Lovely isn't it?
I mean really, it's a thicker ziplock bag with duct tape and some plastic.
If I had the money I would make and sell bags for 1/4 the cost and would probably still by robbing patients blind.... thanks for reading.

Ron
 
Well looking on line at prices the things I need/want: Bag, paste, powder, skin prep wipes, removal wipes, and a couple other things I can't remember right now it would range from anywhere from $180 to about $380 depending on the company/website. Of course I have to get expensive bags, wipes and other things because I have an allergy to medical tape.
 

PsychoJane

Moderator
You for sure would be making a fortune I believe... It's incredibly expensive, all is. I guess its a mix of knowing that most have insurances and the fact they they know we can't go without it... Maybe we should start our company Ron, I think id be in lol :)

I quickly see it when I go to my store and see that some equivalent care products are like 5$ versus 23$... Unfortunately this does not happen with the bags/wafers. I know that everything here is crazy expensive. I have to use my product in a way I spent 1-2 days a weeks without being perfectly comfortable because I have to think of the money involved... no insurance and being a student makes it that way...

But yeah... it's unfortunate that essential supplies like these aren't more affordable. The only thing that is almost affordable are the transparent one... I don't know many that uses them, and I mean, that's quite understandable...

I hope you find a way to have some insurance or help with that... maybe some programs exist.
 
That's why I feel REALLY lucky that because of the NHS, all my supplies are completely free. Not only that but because my ileostomy is permanent, I get free prescriptions for everything for life. Obviously I try not to waste stuff though.

When anyone complains about how much tax they are paying, I tell them that I appreciate it and it's going to a good cause lol.
 
I have to use my product in a way I spent 1-2 days a weeks without being perfectly comfortable because I have to think of the money involved...QUOTE]

I do the same thing. I pray at night that it makes it through the night when I know I should change it but just want to squeeze another day out of it.

Other then that I've been rejected by almost all assist programs because I make to much money. Insurance, to buy on my own would be over 800 bucks a month and it wouldn't cover hardly anything 70/30 and have a 5000 buck deductable. So really what would be the point to buy it myself?

I can't really complain or "poor me" about this know I have A LOT better off then a lot of people in this kind of situation, but my heart goes out to those that don't have it as lucky as I have/had it.
 

ameslouise

Moderator
I hear ya - I see the "list price" of the bags I use - $95 for 5 bags! Seriously!

What are you using? Let us know in case anyone has any samples or leftovers they are not using!

- Amy
 
Amy, that's just insane.
I use colopast and if you ask for samples their customer service will call you like ever few weeks. Sometimes they are helpful and nice, sometimes not so much. When I told an agent that I didn't like a certain wafer and it didn't stick to well to me he told me I must be apply it wrong. Really? Does he think I was trying to apply it while I was in a hot tube wearing a wetsuit? Seriously? I don't know, anways.. sorry got a little off topic. I think next time I'm going to ask for their marketing/cost analysis/profit margin spread sheets on the bag that I use. I probably be told "no" or something along those lines. If for some odd maracle that they provide me with that information I probably go insane with rage. Hopefully if that happens I turn into some type of Howard Beale character. I hope that isn't too obscure of a reference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_qgVn-Op7Q
 

Nyx

Moderator
I pay for all of my supplies out of pocket. On average I spend about $180 a month, and I reuse my bags. I don't use pastes, seals, or removers or any other things...just flanges and bags. If I didn't reuse my bags, it would closer to $500 a month. If I used paste, remover, wipes, drops, seals, etc. it would be closer to $600. I have a permanent colostomy and receive a grant from the government of a piddly $600 a year for my supplies.
 

ameslouise

Moderator
LOL - or you could be like Michael Douglas in "Falling Down!"

I have some Coloplast Assura #15861 that you are welcome to - let me know. I have 9 bags (not using because i switched to convex). I also have two barely used tubes of Hollister adapt paste. PM me if any of this will work for you.

- Amy
 
Wow, this was an eye opener Ron. What little experience I have with stomas has been on this forum, and since so many here have the UK's NHS and such, I just assumed that all the supplies were cheap and easy to acquire. That's just awful. I feel so bad. When I compare people with NHS and people from America on this forum, and their coverage and ease of treatment, ability to take what meds are necessary and get necessary supplies, etc, I see such a clear difference and it floors me that anyone could be against a national health care system. It's not like people pick their illnesses.
sorry, little rant over.
 
America can be so ass backward sometimes. now don't get me wrong I don't hate government assistant but it annoys me that some (not all) sponge off the government and not even try to better themselves, I'm talking about able bodied people. But those that work there ass off and try to do the right thing get shafted. honestly what would stop me to stop trying and go on permanent disability? I'm able bodied and am able to work. I know there are people here on disability, I am not talking about you or putting anyone down by any means....
I don't even know what kind of point I am trying to make. I guess it would be if we had NHS here in America the playing field would be a little more level for us. but of course that's socialist thinking.....alert the FBI or the Tea Party on my ass.
 
I'm in the same situation as misty, I literally get everything I need delivered to my door all for free and also get free prescriptions. It sucks that through no fault of your own your own you can be expected to pay all this money for something that you cannot live without. The companies are effectively taking advantage of this by charging so much. It would be interesting to see what the cost of making the product is against the profit margin that they make. It is unethical imo.
 

Terriernut

Moderator
This is why I will not move back to the USA. I've lived abroad for 12 years and have no intention whatsoever to go back. I appreciate the NHS every day. And I thank my lucky stars to live here because of it.
 

PsychoJane

Moderator
Misty, if I may ask, you were not diagnosed before moving to UK? I once been told I could never think of living there with preexisting condition of crohn due to the NHS fact. They information I was given might be wrong though. I just took it for granted as it seemed pretty logical considering I must cost a 30 000$ in medical treatment a year. And again, I don't have to complain... my meds and exams are paid by national health care here. But not the totality of our supplies though.
 

Terriernut

Moderator
I had suspected Crohns but no diagnosis. No, there is no issue with pre existing conditions. Nor was there in Germany when I lived there.

I paid in to the NHS for a good 8 years before I ever used it. Only seeing a Dr, and never a GI for refills on mesalazine when required.
 
Hey everyone, hope everyone is doing well.
I just need to vent a little anger right now. It's been just over ten years living with an ostomy. I really can't complain about it, it's saved my life and I am alive because of it.
I have always been with insurance, really really great insurance for a long time. I didn't have a co-pay for ever. Then my job got outscourced, insurance started to suck a bit. Now I had a 100 buck co-pay for 3 months worth of supplies. Now, my job got outscourced again a few months ago and no insurance. This isn't my bitch of poor me part of my anger.
I went to find out how much a month supply was going to run me. I literally shit my bag when I heard it. I was talking to an owner of a medical supply store. He said ostomy bags are extrememly over priced by the manifactures because they can, you need them so they stick it to you. Lovely isn't it?
I mean really, it's a thicker ziplock bag with duct tape and some plastic.
If I had the money I would make and sell bags for 1/4 the cost and would probably still by robbing patients blind.... thanks for reading.

Ron
SO sorry I know about insurance change.... have you tried looking on line for bags in bulk sometimes you find your own deals are better in cases like this??
 
Hey everyone, hope everyone is doing well.
I just need to vent a little anger right now. It's been just over ten years living with an ostomy. I really can't complain about it, it's saved my life and I am alive because of it.
I have always been with insurance, really really great insurance for a long time. I didn't have a co-pay for ever. Then my job got outscourced, insurance started to suck a bit. Now I had a 100 buck co-pay for 3 months worth of supplies. Now, my job got outscourced again a few months ago and no insurance. This isn't my bitch of poor me part of my anger.
I went to find out how much a month supply was going to run me. I literally shit my bag when I heard it. I was talking to an owner of a medical supply store. He said ostomy bags are extrememly over priced by the manifactures because they can, you need them so they stick it to you. Lovely isn't it?
I mean really, it's a thicker ziplock bag with duct tape and some plastic.
If I had the money I would make and sell bags for 1/4 the cost and would probably still by robbing patients blind.... thanks for reading.

Ron
Ron here is a box of 30 on ebay for $40.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hollister-3...731?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f10247e4b
 
Thank you for your bargin hunting for me. Sadly, I am allergic to medical tape and need to use a special brand. But I really do appreciate you looking for me.
No problem sweetie... I worry about stuff like that not sure what I will be able to use I am allergic to everything including 8 antibiotics :(
I hope you get this straightened out I am on 8 meds all ready so I know meds are for the birds....
 
No problem sweetie... I worry about stuff like that not sure what I will be able to use I am allergic to everything including 8 antibiotics :(
I hope you get this straightened out I am on 8 meds all ready so I know meds are for the birds....

Thankfully I have an awesome stoma nurse that has helped me out on a lot of different issues over the years. If ever find you have skin breaking down around the stoma seek out a good stoma nurse. They are life savers!
 
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