Feeding equipment

Becky · #1 06-02-2003, 09:22 PM

Hi Kath, I have a feeding tube also. I get usually get 4 or 5 extention tubes a month from my medical supplier. So that is usually one a week, and since I only get feed throw my tube at night that is enough for me. Have you asked your doctor for a letter of medical neccessity and a precription and have it state you have to say, for example, 6 a month. Your insurance has to give it to you then. I had to do with suction catheters because they were only going to allow me 90 catheters a month and my doctor did not want me reusing them. So he wrote out a letter of neccessity for 300 a month, along with a precription and thats how I was able to get the extra suction catheters. Might work for the feeding tube extentions as well. Good luck!

Becky

cariaad · #2 06-03-2003, 07:44 AM

I usually order 4 with the y port and 2 straight port (right abgle) every other month. When we had private insurance I knew we were allowed 4 per month but I've just always made them last longer because they are expensive and were eating away at the cap. I clean them out with soap and water every day and vinegar and baking soda every few days. I've found that the fizzinf action loosens anything that soap and water misses. Also, it makes a big difference which formula you use--for some reason certain formulas are harder to clean out. ANd if you put meds thru it it will also make a difference (for example I found diflucan really ruined not only the extension sets but also caused her button to break after a shorter time). ASk your insurer directly before you trust what the supply company says, sometimes they "think" they know what you're allowed but are wrong. Deb

Jacob's Mom · #3 06-03-2003, 11:15 AM

I have also found that taking a 5 or 10cc syringe filled with warm, soapy water and holding the tubing securely (at both ends) while pushing the water through (with force) helps to remove some of the build up.

We are allowed 4 per month, but I usually only order 2 because I have private insurance with a cap as well. I try to stretch as many supplies as I can, without sacrificing cleanliness and durability.

J&Jsmomee · #4 06-03-2003, 06:09 PM

Check to see if CRS (Chidren's Rehabilitative Services) is near you. It is for the entire state I'm sure. Lili would most likely qualify and they will help pay for equipment and supplies that insurance won't. Also, many doctor's appts. too. They'd probably pay for the extra extension tubes. We need new ones as well. WE were using an AMT button which we really liked, but the extension tubes started losing their gripe and would fall out during the night and make a huge mess. Now we're using the Mickey and only have 1 extension tube. Its ridiculous! I'm working on this problem myself. I'll let you know if I get any answers!

Jimmysmom · #5 06-03-2003, 10:48 PM

Hi

We are allowed 4 extension tubes a month. Jimmy is on Pediasure and takes just a few medications. We order 4 every month even though I usually use them longer then a week. I rinse it out in the morning but I don't have any problems with it getting clogged up.

Good Luck with getting more tubes

Anne, mom to Jimmy ( 3 1/2) Infantile Axonal Neuropathy, trach, vent dependent, g-tube