Price of Mastectomy Bras!

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nelia48
nelia48 Member Posts: 539
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

On Thursday, I went to to the only store I could find that accepted Medicare/Medicaid for payment of the breast form and the bras.  They allow 2 bras per year.  So. . . . she tells me that yes, they do accept it, but that they only pay so much and that I will still owe about $40.00 each for the bras.  So I paid it.

I was looking on line and on Ebay and now I see the same bras selling for less than what I paid out of my own pocket for these bras, no less what was paid by the Medicare/Medicaid!

I'm wondering what you all have paid for these bras.  I feel like I was ripped off!!!!!

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  • mthomp2020
    mthomp2020 Member Posts: 1,959
    edited July 2009

    I'm surprised that Medicare/Medicaid  only pays for 2 bras per year.  I'd heard that Medicare cover s 4 per year.  Plus, it really does sound like they totally ripped you off.   My insurance only covers 2 per year, and only certain bras.  Many of the mastectomy bras cost under 40 dollars, though there are a number of them that cost more.  I've bought bras without insurance, and I haven't paid $40 for them.  What bra/model did you buy?  In my area, there are more providers who accept Medicare then my insurance, and you can get more bras per year.

    I would look into reporting the provider, since it really does sound like they might have really ripped you off.  I hate the way some of these people take advantage of someone in our situation. 

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited July 2009

    I think mastectomy bras are expensive. Granted they have that little pocket in them and some design changes, but still.....

    The retail stores that sell them undoubtly mark them up.  I also think the specality nature of the product lends itself to markup.  They're kept kind of hidden.

    The HanesPlace web site sells one mastectomy bra, and it's not that unreasonable. Check Penny's as well. 

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited July 2009

    Yes, I think they are expensive.  I almost always spend more than $40 for each bra.  Many of mine were closer to the $60 - $70 range.  I find that the ones that look the best on me and are the most comfortable are almost always at the higher end.

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  • jenni__ca
    jenni__ca Member Posts: 461
    edited July 2009
    j c penney's has a catalog in their lingerie department ( they partner with  http://www.jodee.com/  ) .... they take medicare too
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  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited July 2009

    Thank you for all the hints and links!!!!  I'm new to all this!  You gals are so full of information, and I'm so grateful for that!  I love the idea of the sew-in pockets available from the Cancer Society.  I wondered how to do that, but they took all the guess work out of it.  Thanks again!

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  • purplemb
    purplemb Member Posts: 1,542
    edited July 2009

    nelia,

    I have a small BC closet and some very nice bra's.. let me know if there is anything I can do to help..

    Mb

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