180 Medical Informs Catheter Users of Change in Medicare Policy
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- (Marketwire) -- 04/30/09 -- Although a year has passed since U.S. Medicare coverage policy changed to allow intermittent catheter users access to single-use catheters, many catheter users are still unaware of the change, and how it affects them. Today 180 Medical, one of America's fastest growing "Nationally Accredited" providers of sterile use catheters, urologic and disposable medical supplies, released a summary of Medicare's new rules and changes in policy for catheter users.
Effective April 1, 2008, all consumers, with or without a history of recurring urinary tract infections, can now receive one sterile urological catheter (and one packet of lubricant) for each catheterization. Intermittent catheter users are allowed a maximum of 200 catheters per month instead of the four catheters per month allowed under previous policy. 180 Medical works with each patient to find the optimal number of catheters per month whether that is 30 catheters a month or 200 catheters.
"This change in Medicare coverage policy has improved the quality of life for many intermittent catheter users, and will continue to improve even more lives as more people learn about the change," said Todd Brown, founder of 180 Medical. "By using a new intermittent catheter each time rather then cleaning and re-using catheters, users reduce UTI risk and have greater independence than with the alternative choice of indwelling catheters."
Primary beneficiaries of this change are those who have neurogenic bladders, which is common among individuals with spinal cord injuries, spina bifida and multiple sclerosis. This population represents nearly 1 million Americans.
180 Medical carries a wide range of sterile use catheters including closed system catheters, female urinary catheters, hydrophilic catheters and pediatric catheters. Catheterization can be easy to learn with the right tools. To learn the procedure, you must learn where the catheter is inserted and how to use the product correctly, as well as precautions to take in order to avoid infection.
For additional information call 877-688-2729 or visit www.180Medical.com.
About 180 Medical:
180 Medical is one of America's fastest growing "Nationally Accredited" providers of sterile use catheters, urologic and disposable medical supplies. 180 Medical is used as a referral source for some of the top Rehabilitation Facilities in the world because of their extensive knowledge and customer care. 180 Medical is networked with and covered by thousands of Health Plans, Insurance Networks, and State Medicaids; they also offer Medicare-covered catheters and catheter kits.
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