Mountain View Medical Supply

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Better Living Corner - Automatic Pill Dispenser

"My patient can do everything on their own, but they need help taking their medicine.  Do you carry medicine dispensers?"

Taking medication on time and in the correct dose is critical, so we recommend the MED-E-LERT to help administer medication automatically:


MIMEDELERT - $76.36
This fully automatic pill dispenser is easy to use and setup.  Features long duration buzzer that sounds continuously until the pills are removed.  Holds one weeks supply of pills taken up to 4 times per day (28 compartments) and for safety, the unit is lockable.  Battery operated with low battery alarm.


Monday, January 28, 2013

I (Heart) These Scrub Tops!

LUKO178 - $25.99

LUCH84724 - $18.99-$21.99

LUCH82840C - $24.49-$26.49

LUCHY82849C - $24.49-$26.49

LUCH6741C - $27.49-$29.49

LUCH3728cmb - $25.49

LUCH84724C - $18.99-$21.99

To shop our full line of heart-friendly Holiday Scrubs, click HERE.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

New Year, New Shoes!

We have three new Dansko shoes for the new year! 
Whether you are in health care or food service, we have something for everyone!

Dansko PROFESSIONAL in Silver Opal Leather - $131.99
Same classic down curve and rocker movement that you know and love!

Dansko SEDONA Elise in Suede - $96.99
A flexible, featherweight show with all day comfort and support.  Slip resistant in wet or oily conditions!

Dansko PRO XP in Vintage Floral - $146.99
The PRO XP now comes in patterns!  Features same details as the Professional but with a lighter weight and memory foam removable foot bed.

Because Dansko shoes are designed for maximum support and comfort, a perfect fit must be obtained.  Unless you are a current Dansko wearer, trying on these shoes is extremely important, and if you have your eye on a different Dansko shoe, you will definitely want to be sized again.  Because of this fit requirement, we only sell Dansko shoes in our store.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Insurance and Your Osotomy Supplies

Adapted from State of the Insurance Industry and Your Ostomy Supplies, an update by Bruce Frishman, President, New Hampshire Pharmacy and Medical Equipment, Washington, DC, September 2012, Metro Maryland

Rarely, if ever, are ostomy supplies NOT covered, at least partially, by a medical insurance policy.  If your insurance company informs you that ostomy supplies are not a covered item, more often than not it is miscommunication.  If you are told your supplies are not covered, asked to speak to a supervisor.

When speaking to your insurance company, it is helpful to know proper "insurance jargon".  Most of the time, ostomy supplies are categorized as DMEPOS, or "Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic, Orthotics and Supplies".  Knowing the HCPC code (pronounced HICPIC) for your specific ostomy supplies is also helpful.  All ostomy supply manufacturer's can provide you with a HCPC code that corresponds with your ostomy system. 
How to obtain your HCPC code:
1)  On the box of your ostomy supplies, look for a toll-free phone number for the manufacturer.  All major manufacturers such as Hollister, Coloplast and ConvaTec put a phone number on their boxes. 
2)  Simply call that number and tell them you need the HCPC code for your exact supplies. 
3)  Keep that HCPC code in a safe place such as your address book for future reference. If you switch ostomy products, you may need a new HCPC code.
HCPC stands for Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Coding System and is a code that is used by insurance companies to describe a particular product.  These codes are also used by Medicare/Medicaid. 
Since a prosthetic is something that replaces a normally functioning body part, ostomy supplies are usually categorized as prosthetic supplies.  Sometimes ostomy supplies are placed within the DME, or "Durable Medical Equipment" category.  This occurs when an insurance company will not cover prosthetic devices but choose to cover ostomy supplies. 
As an ostomate, its important to know how your insurance company categorizes ostomy supplies. 

With the changes in health care coverage and limited reimbursements, there is an increased disincentive for ostomy manufacturers to spend funds on research and development of new ostomy products.  Insurance companies in particular, are always asking, "How can we cut expenses?" and some insurance companies are saying, "If it can be purchased without a prescription from a doctor, we aren't covering it."  While your doctor may tell you what type of ostomy system to use, a prescription is generally not required.

Every ostomate should be aware and diligent when dealing with current health insurance or assessing a potential insurance plan.  If you find an insurance company does not offer ostomy supply coverage, speak to your personnel office or human resources manager, explain what an ostomy is, and see if they can get the benefit added to the policy.  Some people have had the benefit added within a week.  It is also helpful to get the medical justification from your physician for coverage for your ostomy supplies in writing.  If a new appliance is added or changed with your ostomy system, you should get an updated justification from your doctor. 

Even if you have an ostomy supply benefit with your insurance company, it most likely will not cover all products you may need.  There are approximately 10 to 15 items that are related to the ostomies themselves.  Medicare's maximum allowed quantities are outlined in their billing manuals.  As a general rule, the published maximums include the following monthly supply:
60 closed pouches
20 drainable pouches
31 stoma caps
20 urinary pouches
4oz of paste
20 wafers/skin barriers
20 seals
If you require, for example, both drainable and closed pouches to manage your ostomy, you will likely get a combined maximum amount. 

If you have to pay out of pocket for some or all of your ostomy supplies, shopping around for best pricing is sound advice and you could save up to hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars per year.  Most supply companies that accept insurance, or rather "accept assignment" for payment from your insurance company, are much higher priced overall.  So, for example if you need 40 drainable pouches per month and your insurance company only pays for 20 drainable pouches, you will have to pay out of pocket for the extra 20 that you need.  One supplier might charge $40 for the same exact product another supplier charges $60 for.  The reason suppliers charge more if they accept insurance is because their overhead is higher.  Managing insurance claims can be time-intensive, plus having to float an accounts payable balance until payment is made from the insurance company can be costly. 
It is also important to note that most ostomy supplies are tax-free so you should not be paying tax on your supplies.


Friday, January 11, 2013

Friday Funny


Monday, January 7, 2013

Introducing More Affordable Koi Scrubs!

Meet Orange Standard.  Fashion, fit and comfort for under $20.



The Laguna Cargo G3700 Pant features style, comfort and plenty of pockets!  This pant has a drawstring waist, double cargo pocket on left side, J pockets at waist, double needle stitching for durability.  Made of 65% polyester, 35% cotton.  Available in navy, black, slate gray, fierce fuchsia or electric blue. 

$19.99



The Catalina Flare G3701 Pant features striking style for the professional!  This pant has a flat front waistline for a flattering look, flare leg, slash pockets for easy access, two large cargo pockets and side slits at the bottom hem.  Made of 65% polyester, 35% cotton.  Available in navy, black or slate gray. 

$17.99
The Redondo Top G3102 is fashion forward with a flattering fit!  Split v-neckline, longer fitted body, darts in back for a more fitted shape, two "phantom pockets" with hidden contrast pocket bags, contrast screen print at pocket, contrast back neck facing, and side slits.  Made of 65% polyester, 35% cotton.  Available in navy, black and slate gray.

$19.99


The Malibu Top G3100 is sporty and stylish for all body types!  The Y-neck mock wrap has tonal screen print at neckline and patch pockets sewn into hem for durability.  Side slits, made of 65% polyester and 35% cotton.  Available in navy, black, slate gray, fierce fuchsia and electric blue. 


$17.99




To shop our full line of Koi Scrubs, visit www.laureluniforms.com



Friday, January 4, 2013

Laurel Uniforms is now a PERKA Merchant





We are pleased to announce that Laurel Uniforms and Apparel is now a PERKA merchant!  What is PERKA, you ask?

PERKA is a smartphone loyal customer reward program app that you use on either your iPhone or Android phone.  If you don't have a smartphone, (you just use a basic cell phone), you can still continue to use our Laurel Customer Loyalty Cards to earn rewards. 

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR PERKA:   
A:  From your smartphone, text “Laurel” to 330-400-3300 and then follow the text instructions - it’s THAT easy!   
B:  Or, visit our website at www.laureluniforms.com, and click on the “We Love Regulars” icon in the upper left corner.  Once you click the icon, simply follow the prompts to download the app and start earning points!

And to get you started, just for signing up,   you automatically earn 25 points!

HOW TO CONTINUE EARNING POINTS:  When you visit Laurel Uniforms, simply open the PERKA app on your smartphone and click “check in” at the bottom.  This will notify us that you have arrived!  Then, once you make your selections, let us know you want to earn more PERKA points and we will then confirm your purchase points to your PERKA account at the time of purchase.  At any point, we are happy to let you know how many “available points” you currently have.

REWARDS:  To start earning rewards, download the PERKA app to your smartphone and sign up as a Laurel Loyal Customer, and you will automatically get 25 points!  Then, when you earn 200 or more points, you then receive $20 off your next purchase.  Each dollar spent is equal to one point.

Again, this is just for Laurel Uniform customers at this point, but we do hope to add Mountain View Medical Supply as a PERKA merchant sometime in the future. 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Vitamin B-12 Replacement Therapy for Ileostomates

by Bob Baumel, Ostomy Association of North Central Oklahoma, UOAA update 7/2012

Vitamin B-12 is, under normal conditions, absorbed in only a small section of the terminal small intestine (ileum), raising the possibility of B-12 deficiency if that section of the ileum has been removed surgically or damaged by disease.  People who may have lost that portion of ileum include some ileostomates, people who had a J-pouch or Kock pouch, and some people with urinary diversions (especially continent urinary diversions) made using the terminal ileum.  A condition such as Crohn's disease may have damaged the terminal ileum, even if it hasn't been removed surgically.

Vitamin B-12 is necessary for many metabolic processes including development of red blood cells, and also maintains normal functioning of the nervous system.  Deficiency causes anemia (reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood resulting in fatigue) and can also cause nervous system damage.  It's worth noting that folic acid (another B vitamin) can correct the anemia caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency, but it will not correct the nerve damage caused by B-12 deficiency.  So it's important to get enough vitamin B-12. 

If you think you are at risk for vitamin B-12 deficiency, you can ask your doctor to check your serum (blood) B-12 level.  This test can be added easily to routine blood testing.  If your ability to absorb vitamin B-12 by the normal pathway involving the terminal ileum has been impaired, you can supplement the vitamin by three basic methods.

By Injection:  This method bypasses the normal gastrointestinal process of B-12 absorption by inserting it into the body by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.  B-12 injections may be self-administered in the same way that diabetic patients can give themselves insulin shots.  Maintenance therapy may require only one B-12 injection per month.

Nasally:  This method bypasses the normal gastrointestinal absorption process, as vitamin B-12 can be absorbed through nasal mucous membranes.  The nasal form of B-12 was developed first as a nasally applied gel and later a true nasal spray (brand name Nascobal).  This product is marketed by the company Strativa Pharmaceuticals, who promotes it as the only FDA-approved form of vitamin B-12 besides the injectable form.  Nasal B-12 can be effective, but because one company has sole rights to distribute it in the U.S., it can be an expensive way to get your vitamin B-12.

Orally:  Until recently, doctors believed that B-12 taken orally was useless to people who lack the normal absorption mechanism involving the terminal ileum.  That opinion has changed, however, as research has revealed that even in such people, when a large dose of vitamin B-12 is taken orally, a small fraction (typically 1%) gets absorbed by mass-action transport across the gut. 

Note:  Time Released medications should, in general, be avoided if you have an ileostomy, as they may pass through your gut.