Yes, private insurance for ostomy supplies here in Canada was difficult for me to get. I called about a dozen places.

Most didn't take me as an ostomy is a preexisting condition... One only covered a tiny fraction of the costs... One was over $200 a month just for the premium...

I ended up with Greenshield Canada and I've stuck with them for over four years now. They cover a generous amount of supplies and I can order anything I want as long as it's sold in Canada. 

But as our Ontario Ostomy grant has gotten better, I find that my $70+ insurance premium isn't saving me much anymore. 

I was "lucky " that  when i developed liver disease,  my doctor sent me to the social worker to apply for any and all of the government benefits that i was eligible for. And then i also bought a supplemental policy to cover whatever wasn't covered. 

With this in place , i guess I really am a million dollar man. Between the ttransplant  surgeries,  IBD CROHNS,  cancer of the rectum,  hernias and other medical  problems , I  have amassed billings of over a million bucks.  If I had to pay cash,  it wouldn't have happened. Considering that I payed into the system all those years, i feel grateful to God that I live in Baltimore  , USA.

I can not guess how others do it. 

I hear you my "z"  My illness cost a million dollars too.... Sure took a bite out of our savings. Now, Medicare, We pay to the hilt-- a nice $5,000 per year.. ++ Not going that route again.. Ahh-My million vacation--and I missed most of it.. I don't know how people afford being us.. I do try to help them within my orders..  If I can.. Not pouches tho-- 

Robert--R U in the floods?  Good night Eric................. :-)

I was lucky enough that my  doctor helped me to get on medicare n they cover my supplies to an extent so I don't have to pay for anything as long as I don't exceed the basics . And my wife has good insurance where she works so between the two I am pretty well covered . Otherwise you all know it can get real costly real quick .

Posted by: Robert

I was lucky enough that my  doctor helped me to get on medicare n they cover my supplies to an extent

Robert, how did the application process take?

Eric, it take a lot of reading...... we pay over $5,000 per year.. for just me.. So I am covered in All places, some major medications? nothing so far for me on that--but have to pay a %...... I believe u can pay more for that area.  I don't have heart issues, diabetic issues etc. things in that nature = Major money--!!!!! I think that one can pay (as always $$$$$) more for this.. 

Just have to pay out from the travel pans that we THOUGHT we would do when retired. :-(

But it takes much reading and understandings. Like when I tried to get my eye glass's fixed at the place I bought them--They fixed them and charged me over 100.00 for this.. I bitched.. They told me that I signed the form etc.... on the back.. This was typed very small in a very light blue color, and could not read it.. They never told or read this to me.. Cute huh? You need reading glass's and they do a write out in light blue that no one can see.  Be careful of what u all read when changing insurances, and medicare..  They had lawyers-now I just got to the dollar store.. 

Robert your were so lucky that a Doctor even bothered to help you with this change over.. 

The insurance industry is designed to make sure that THE COMPANY makes a profit. It makes it by selling peace of mind. For instance,  I am covered by Medicare plans A&B plus Medicare plan D for drugs.  In addition,  I bought Medigap plan F to supplement my coverage. This shield of protection is budgetable. The only out of pocket expense is to pay for copay of drugs.

Other people are enamored with Medicare Advantage.  Others do other things that work out to their respective benefits and needs. My way works for me. It did take a long time to get it to work out for me .

Also, I should live so long to see the system go bankrupt. Heaven help the elected officials who try to take away our safety net. And eric, I am not engaging in a political discussion,(  yet.)

Hey Eric

It took 22 months to get Medicare insurance after I became disabled .

Posted by: Robert

Hey Eric

It took 22 months to get Medicare insurance after I became disabled .

Wow, that's crazy. We're you able to get any reimbursement for out of pocket expenses while you waited? 

Hey Eric

I didn't have any out of pocket expenses . When I retired my insurance lasted for about 3 months before it ran out but then it was to expensive to self pay and I went on my wife's insurance then when I finally was able to get Medicare my wife's insurance stayed as my primary and Medicare is my secondary . So it covers my supplies to a certain amount and helps with co-pay's .