Catheter Coverage Through Insurance
A healthcare provider can prescribe urinary catheters to treat conditions that cause urinary incontinence or cause the bladder to retain urine or not drain completely. These symptoms can be due to a spinal injury, a surgical procedure, an obstruction in the urinary tract, and more.
The good news is that most insurance plans cover the catheter supplies you need, lowering catheter costs and bringing you cost savings on high-quality catheter medical supplies.
Types of Catheters Covered by Insurance
There are many different types of catheters that can be covered by insurance. Each person has varying catheter needs based on their continence problems. Talk with your healthcare professional about which type of catheter is right for you.
Take a look at our male catheter and female catheter pages, and read about the different types of urinary catheters below.
Intermittent Catheter
An intermittent catheter, or a short-term catheter, is a thin, flexible tube that a user temporarily inserts into their bladder through the urethra to drain urine. The end of the tube may be left open allowing you to direct your urine stream into a receptacle.
This type of disposable catheter can be used multiple times during the day or can be disposed of after each use. This may help protect against the risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Intermittent catheters eliminate the need to continuously wear a drainage bag, making them ideal for more active lifestyles. Intermittent catheters require lubrication to be placed on the catheter before it is used.
Good For
- Single-use.
- High-functioning patients.
- Self-catheterization.
- Active lifestyle.
Intermittent Catheter Types
Straight Tip
An intermittent catheter, or a short-term catheter, is a thin, flexible tube that a user temporarily inserts into their bladder through the urethra to drain urine. The end of the tube may be left open allowing you to direct your urine stream into a receptacle.
This type of disposable catheter can be used multiple times during the day or can be disposed of after each use. This may help protect against the risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Intermittent catheters eliminate the need to continuously wear a drainage bag, making them ideal for more active lifestyles. Intermittent catheters require lubrication to be placed on the catheter before it is used.
Good For
- Single-use.
- High-functioning patients.
- Self-catheterization.
- Active lifestyle.
Straight Tip
An intermittent catheter, or a short-term catheter, is a thin, flexible tube that a user temporarily inserts into their bladder through the urethra to drain urine. The end of the tube may be left open allowing you to direct your urine stream into a receptacle.
This type of disposable catheter can be used multiple times during the day or can be disposed of after each use. This may help protect against the risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Intermittent catheters eliminate the need to continuously wear a drainage bag, making them ideal for more active lifestyles. Intermittent catheters require lubrication to be placed on the catheter before it is used.
Good For
- Single-use.
- High-functioning patients.
- Self-catheterization.
- Active lifestyle.
Straight Tip
An intermittent catheter, or a short-term catheter, is a thin, flexible tube that a user temporarily inserts into their bladder through the urethra to drain urine. The end of the tube may be left open allowing you to direct your urine stream into a receptacle.
This type of disposable catheter can be used multiple times during the day or can be disposed of after each use. This may help protect against the risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Intermittent catheters eliminate the need to continuously wear a drainage bag, making them ideal for more active lifestyles. Intermittent catheters require lubrication to be placed on the catheter before it is used.
Good For
- Single-use.
- High-functioning patients.
- Self-catheterization.
- Active lifestyle.
Find Your Perfect Product
We understand that choosing the right adult incontinence products to fit your specific needs can be tricky. Whether you're experiencing light bladder leakage or heavier fecal and urinary incontinence, Aeroflow Urology has the perfect product to fit your needs and lifestyle.
What Causes Adult Incontinence?
There are a variety of underlying conditions that contribute to bladder leakage. These include, but are not limited to:
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Overactive Bladder Muscles
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or Enlarged Prostate
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Menopause
- A Disability or Mobility Impairment
- Prostatitis
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Kidney or Bladder Stones
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Weight Gain
Diagnosing Adult Incontinence
After seeing your primary care healthcare provider, you will most likely be referred to a urologist. It’s also common for women to see a gynecologist who has been specially trained in female bladder and urinary disorders.
You may be asked questions about whether you experience leakage while laughing or sneezing and how much caffeine or alcohol you drink. A bladder control diary can be incredibly helpful to have. Record the type and how much fluid you drink, how often you pass urine, the amount of urine you pass, and how many urine leakage episodes you experience.
Based on your medical history and symptoms, tests may be performed to rule out certain conditions that cause incontinence. Common tests include a cystoscopy to look inside of your bladder for abnormalities, measuring the pressure level in your bladder and stomach, a dipstick test to see if you have a urinary tract infection, a urodynamic test, and more.
Based on the results, your doctor will be able to create a treatment plan. Urinary incontinence treatment options vary based on the type and severity you are diagnosed with. Some options include simple lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine and spicy foods, doing kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, or taking medication.
Adult Incontinence Supplies
Once you begin to experience bladder control problems, it is important to contact your healthcare provider. In the meantime, you can explore options for absorbent products to help manage symptoms. Incontinence supplies are typically covered by Medicaid insurance plans for those with a qualifying diagnosis.
There are a wide variety of discreet incontinence products available with different features and levels of absorbency. Adult briefs may work well for some who need an overnight product or one that can handle heavy bladder or bowel leakage. They are also commonly used by people with mobility issues who require the help of a caregiver as they are designed for easy application and removal. Protective underwear, also called incontinence underwear, may work better for those who need a moderate level of absorbency and can be pulled on and off, similar to standard underwear. An incontinence pad, sometimes referred to as a poise pad or bladder control pad, is an option for those who need a product that is similar to a menstrual pad that can be secured to undergarments, but can hold more fluid. There are also absorbent products like underpads or bed pads available to help protect bedding and furniture.
Many people will find that some combination of incontinence products and treatments works well for their particular diagnosis, and it's important to work with a healthcare provider to find the best solution. No matter what type of adult incontinence you have, with the right products you can remain confident, clean, and most importantly, in control.
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Mica Phillips
Mica has been at Aeroflow for over six years. He brings creativity to a sometimes stagnant and complacent industry and tries his best to uncomplicate the complex world of Insurance. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English. In addition to his daily responsibilities as Vice President of Aeroflow Urology, he’s contributed to numerous articles for online journals regarding senior care, incontinence, and navigating insurance benefits. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to live music, visiting breweries, and traveling the world with his wife.
Information provided on the Aeroflow Urology website is not intended as a substitute to medical advice or care from a healthcare professional. Aeroflow recommends consulting your healthcare provider if you are experiencing medical issues relating to continence care.