United Ostomy Associations of America

As of April 1, Medicare approved a more generous policy for urinary catheters.  You may see some suppliers begin to promote this, but the new policy applies to ALL suppliers.  Instead of just 4 a month, your physician can write an order for one sterile urinary catheter per use, and Medicare should cover the cost at their pre-set approved rate. It will probably be necessary to get a new physician order to place on file with your supplier. 

If you and your physician feel it is advisable to use a sterile catheter each time you catheterize your continent urostomy or natural bladder, this new Medicare policy allows that to happen with less financial burden on you.  But bear in mind that if you have been doing well with washing and re-using urinary catheters, it is not necessary for you to change your practice - don’t feel pressured by a supplier into accepting a larger number.