Free Diapers with Medicaid: 7 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Free diapers through Medicaid can be available for people of all ages in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and beyond. That doesn’t mean the process of getting free diapers through Medicaid is clear or easy to navigate. There are specific rules, eligibility requirements, and documentation needs, all of which must be addressed correctly in order to get free diapers with Medicaid.
If you make mistakes along the way, it could take longer to get the supplies you need. To help you avoid that hassle and take the right steps whenever necessary, here are the top missteps folks typically make when trying to get free diapers through Medicaid, along with pro tips on how to avoid one.
If you need help ASAP from a Medicaid expert in Washington, Idaho, or Oregon, call 888-441-1312 or click the button below to email us. We’re on standby, ready to assist you now.
7 Mistakes to Beware of When Seeking Free Diapers with Medicaid
Eligibility for free diapers with Medicaid isn’t a guarantee you’ll get those incontinence supplies. Making any of the following mistakes could create new challenges, issues, delays, or denials.
Before diving in, it’s crucial to point out that anyone can make these missteps, even the smartest folks going into the process with the best intentions.
To minimize the chances that these mistakes will create issues for you, we’ve shared a pro tip on how to steer clear of each misstep.
1. Misunderstanding State-Specific Requirements
Medicaid is administered at the state level, and:
- Each state has unique rules, limits, and requirements: Effectively, this means that getting free diapers with Medicaid in Washington may not follow the same process or yield the exact same results as it would in Oregon, Idaho, or another state.
- Each state has its own programs that administer Medicaid: Washington Medicaid is provided through Community Health Plan of WA, Coordinated Care, Molina, and United Healthcare. Oregon Medicaid is provided through CareOregon, Trillium, Pacificsource, Moda, Columbia Pacific, OHSU, and Yamhill. Idaho Medicaid is provided through Molina & Blue Cross of Idaho.
While some fail to understand the rules for Medicaid in their state, others mistakenly go off of the requirements for other states. Either way, this can cause headaches early on, potentially interfering with the required documentation and more.
Pro Tip: Check with state authorities or your Medicaid program provider for specifics. You can also reach out to a pro at MyMedSupplies who explain what types of diapers and incontinence supplies Medicaid covers in WA, OR, and ID.
2. Missing Essential Medical Documentation
Proper medical documentation is integral to establishing the need for incontinence supplies. Some people make the mistake of seeking these supplies before they have an official diagnosis or without obtaining the necessary prescription from an approved health care provider.
Additionally, problems can arise if medical records do not:
- Detail the severity of the condition(s).
- Establish a connection between the condition(s) and incontinence.
- Specify the type(s) of incontinence supplies needed on a month basis.
Some states also require proof of potty training plans and activities, with health care professionals signing off on these in some situations.
Pro Tip: Don’t use dated or older medical records here. Make sure your medical documentation is up to date and reflects your current condition. If it’s been more than a year or so since you’ve visited a doctor for an underlying condition associated with incontinence, it’s generally advisable to consult a physician.
3. Not Getting a Prescription or Updated Authorization
Anyone who wants free diapers with Medicaid in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho will need a prescription from a healthcare provider. If you try to seek these supplies without a prescription, you’ll run into a dead end and may end up having to come out of pocket for them.
Notably, prescriptions should typically include details like (and not limited to) the following:
- The required supplies: Will diapers, pull-ups, briefs, pant liners, bed pads, and/or gloves be needed each month? Or will only some of these incontinence supplies be necessary? The prescription should provide clear details about which types of supplies are necessary.
- The amount of supplies needed: How many diapers and other incontinence supplies does a given individual need each month? The prescription should generally specify this with, especially if someone will need more than the provided limit.
Pro Tip: Talk about your condition and situation with your physician to ensure your prescription adequately meets your needs. If you’re going to a new doctor, consider selecting a physician with experience in the Medicaid space, as these professionals will know what needs to be included in these prescriptions. They’re also better-versed in assisting patients in zeroing in on their incontinence supply needs.
4. Using Unapproved Suppliers
Medicaid diapers are typically provided through a state-approved supplier. In other words, every retailer that sells diapers is not an approved supplier.
For those who make the mistake of working with unapproved suppliers, diapers and other supplies won’t necessarily be free.
Pro Tip: Check a supplier’s website to verify that they are an approved Medicaid supplier. Legitimate suppliers, like MyMedSupplies, will clearly state this on their website, along with other credentials to establish their expertise in this space.
5. Ignoring Monthly Limits
A set number of diapers are covered each month, and that monthly limit is set by the state. If you don’t know what those limits are:
- You won’t know if the limits meet your needs.
- You could be left without sufficient diapers and/or incontinence supplies.
- You may not know when to apply for an exception.
Also, keep in mind that your monthly diaper and incontinence supply needs can shift over time, especially as condition(s) evolve or advance. Assuming your monthly needs will never change can be another aspect of this mistake.
Pro Tip: Familiarize yourself with the monthly limits, and talk to your health care provider to figure out if you need an exception to those limits. If you find that your needs exceed the limits that you thought would work, get an updated prescription detailing those needs.
6. Forgetting About Renewal Applications
Once you start getting free diapers with Medicaid in WA, OR, or ID, those supplies won’t come to you endlessly. Instead, you’ll need to renew your eligibility each year to continue getting the incontinence supplies you need. Forgetting about this can disrupt a steady supply of free diapers from Medicaid.
Pro Tip: Schedule renewals a month in advance, and try to pair them with other annual events, like tax season, to make them a yearly habit that doesn’t get swept under the rug.
7. Going Through the Process Alone
Navigating Medicaid can be tricky, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the system, state rules, prior authorizations, and what to expect from the process.
Those who dive in alone can have higher chances of making any of the above mistakes, which could end up costing them more time, stress, and money trying to obtain the free diapers they may actually be entitled to receive.
Pro Tip: Contact MyMedSupplies to talk to a Medicaid expert in WA, OR, or ID and get helpful answers now. We can take charge of administrative work, bill your insurance company, and set you up with free diapers with Medicaid and recurring deliveries in discreet packaging.
A Better Way to Get Free Diapers with Medicaid in WA, ID & OR
Obtaining free diapers with Medicaid doesn’t have to be a headache or guessing game. You also don’t have to do a lot of heavy lifting to get the diapers and other incontinence supplies you’re eligible for when you work with MyMedSupplies.
Our experts will work directly with Medicaid in WA, OR, or ID to verify your eligibility and get you set up with free diapers in your state. Then, we bill Medicaid directly, sending you the diapers and other supplies you need in unidentifiable packaging. We can also set you up with recurring monthly orders for optimal convenience, discretion, and peace of mind.
Call 888-441-1312 to talk to a real person, who cares and who is ready to help you or click below to contact us online and get a quick reply.