Bioness Equipment

[Royjr]

Let's talk about the Bioness for MS. Why is this small yet effective device so expensive? Why you think the insurance companies will not cover the expense? Compared to the price of some medication, it's cheaper. Is it the Pharmaceutical companies? Even stroke patients have trouble getting the funding. Just thinking out loud. What you think?

[lightweaving]

I think the insurance companies try to cover as little as possible. It is so sad.

[rjoneslaw in reply to lightweaving]

My insurance paid for mine. You can get a Bioness rep to give you a sample letter to submit to the insurance company.

[Royjr in reply to rjoneslaw]

Thanks. What insurance do you have?

[rjoneslaw in reply to Royjr]

Blue Cross The letter is letting them know it is a medical necessity. The letter is really composed by your PT who is submitting documentation of your need for it. The Bioness rep has the sample letter you give to your insurance.

[Royjr in reply to rjoneslaw]

Thanks rjoneslaw

[rjoneslaw in reply to Royjr]

I know the frustration of dealing with insurance and dealing with vendors who don't want to submit a claim because they want you pay out of pocket go get the full price of the device. I went around the vendor and went straight to the Bioness rep who helped me a great deal.

[Sukie427]

It's interesting that you raise this issue. My husband was disabled by a stroke in 2005 and is paralyzed in his left arm and hand. One of the hospitals where he was taking physical therapy used the Bioness on him and it did stimulate the paralyzed hand but not a great deal. He was in fact able to get the unit (or something similar) because his Medigap insurance is the private, commercial insurance plan that he had as his primary plan while he was employed. If you recall, when the Affordable Care Act was passed, President Obama promised that Americans would be able to keep their plan if they liked it and their doctors if they liked them. Then, although approximately some 2 million new people became insured through the exchanges, some 5 million lost their insurance plans and were forced to go onto ACA plans which did not include their doctors or their medicines. That happened to me; I lost my good health plan--which had prescription coverage--and which I had planned to use as my Medigap insurance, was forced to take an ACA plan, paid higher premiums for worse coverage and lost two of my doctors and coverage for my MS meds. But because my ACA policy, which included prescription drugs, was commercial and not government assisted, I was able to get financial assistance from the manufacturers. I have never worked with a Bioness for my MS, and so I never tried to get one, and I have no idea whether Medicare covers them. Further, I don't know if the manufacturer of the Bioness offers a financial assistance program to help defray the cost to the patient, as do the manufacturers of the specialty medications used to treat MS.

[jimeka]

It's the same in the uk. I am going for mine fitting in November, to see if I qualify for funding. They don't do it on the NHS so funding has to be applied for. I cannot afford to buy it myself, it's £4300 for the lower bit and if you need the thigh bit as well its £7200. What that is in dollars I don't know. If it wasn't for this site I wouldn't have known about it. Apparently they have 4 different types to try when I go, they will probably try me with the cheaper one first, I have seen pictures of it , it's not wireless so there are wires to connect which is no good for me with my fingers. Something that can change the quality of someone's life and maybe get that person back in work you would thing it would be offered to us all. Anyway we will see on the day. The major problem with me is restless leg syndrome so I don't know how that will react to the stimulus. God willing!

[Royjr]

I know. THE IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE is what's most important. Get this; insurance company pays $3000-$7000 month for some ms medicines and will not pay apx. $5000-$7000 one time for the Bioness or the other devices. Last time I checked $7000 is less than $36000 year.

[Royjr]

I think Bioness have financial assistance or rental programs, but some people don't need another monthly bill.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Kj9681 didn't you just get one?

[Kj9681]

Hello, all!! I've still not received it as of yet. My insurance covers 75%, and I just discussed paying the remaining 2,000 with Bioness. Due to the fact that having MS caused me to lose my job...blah, blah 😖, shortened story, I was unable to get approved for CareCredit however, Bioness offered an internal payment plan. Just yesterday I was approved at 0% APR, monthly payments of 88 bucks or so. Next week I will finally get my own unit. So, my process began Oct 3...fiery hoops, denials, approvals...PRAYERS, and it'll be mine for a small monthly fee.

It is ludacrious that this isn't the FIRST line of treatment! It works, and it works well. Bioness did work with me however, yes, insurance would rather pay for my expensive drug habit that's caused me to become a habitual pill popper! Go figure!!

Still, I'm praising God that I'll have it soon enough. Blessings

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Kj9681]

HA! I knew it was you Kj9681 l thought l might have gotten it wrong

[Kj9681 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Yes! I've been scarce...I'm back!

[SueAB]

I have lived well with MS for almost 30 years and am pro active and keep informed. Please help me out - what is Bioness?

[Royjr in reply to SueAB]

Bioness is a company that makes devices for people who had stroke, Ms and etc. Google and they have good Web site.

[SueAB]

Thank you! Make it a great day!

[jimeka]

Since hearing about the bioness, my physiotherapist told me to look on line at the PACE by Odstock, the L300 and the Walkaide. After reading up about it I think the bioness L300 looks the best, but I can't wait to try them all. I am so pleased that you who have got them, that they work and I thank God that hopefully give you a better quality of life. Jimeka