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Turtletots
Turtletots Member Posts: 35
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

I went to a specialty store today (had a choice between them and Nordstroms), and got fitted for bras and prosthetics. She told me the prices of the ones I picked, and how much I would have to pay over the benefit from my insurance. Well, it was about $50 for three bras and the prosthetics, so I didn't think it was that bad.

Then I did a search online and saw how much cheaper they were, I decided to call Nordstroms to find out their prices. They were WAY cheaper than this place, and I would be able to get the same prosthetics for $0 out of pocket. Not sure how their bras compare though. I do know they will put pockets in any bra so the choices would be far more vast.

So here's my thing--should I make an appointment and check what Nordstrom has and see if I can get similar product for nothing out of pocket, or  just go with what I chose today? THe specialty store doesn't put in orders until Saturday, so I have some time. I was told by the durable medical folks that they would all be the same price no matter where I go. I guess that's not really true!

What would you do?

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited October 2010

    It seems your choice is between paying $50 or paying nothing for a wider choice.

    Go with the $0 payment. i'm sure you can find good use for the $50.

    Best of luck.

    Leah

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited October 2010

    Hi Turtletots,

    I agree with Leah, assuming that the breast forms you chose are made by Amoena, since I believe that's the only brand Nordstrom carries. That's true for mastectomy bras also -- Nordstrom only stocks Amoena, last time I checked.

    Also, regarding regular (non-mastectomy) bras, I've found that Nordstrom stocks mostly bras with underwires, which a lot of women (me included) no longer find comfortable after a mastectomy. I went to my local Nordstrom in the hopes of finding some regular bras I liked and having pockets sewn in, but wasn't successful because I couldn't find anything without an underwire.

    But Amoena makes some wonderful mastectomy bras and have recently come out with more seamless bras that compare in style to popular regular bras (the Lara is one and the new Dana bra is a great camisole bra). I'm about to add several Amoena bras to my list of recommended bras in the Bras and Camisoles section of BreastFree.org. I would expect that Nordstrom has a good selection of Amoena bras and could order any of them for you to try.

    It is annoying if (as your post suggests) the specialty store would charge you $50 out of pocket for the same items you could get at Nordstrom for $0. It sounds like Nordstrom is certainly worth checking out. Definitely good to save the money.

    Barbara

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  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited October 2010

    As someone dealing with bc while uninsured, believe me I am very sensitive to the cost factor! And sadly, although normally I am all in favor of supporting the small businessman (i.e. specialty shop) rather than a large well-funded corporation (i.e., retail chain) at times like these I must "vote with my pocketbook".

    I had a negative experience with the (one and only) specialty shop retailer of mastectomy products in my area, and the cap to it all was that they were only too happy to charge me $325 for the same foob that I could buy for $250 online. I understand that the shop has to pay rent, utilities, salary etc but to charge the customer who can least afford to pay (the uninsured) the highest possible price .. when the same shop would accept, what, $200 for it from Medicare?? -- Well, I'm sorry, that is just greed.  Every single one of my doctors (surgeon, oncologist, radiologist) discounted their fee for services, usually to either the Medicare rate or to their actual cost-for-drugs, and they have just as much overhead as Greedy Little Mastectomy Shop does. 

    By the way, I'm like Madalyn: a shop-o-phobic. Which reminds me that I had better take care of everything I need in brick-and-mortar stores before mid-November, because I absolutely REFUSE to set foot in a mall or department store between Nov 15th and Jan 15th!  I can't stand the holiday shopping OR holiday-gift-return seasons. A team of wild horses couldn't drag me to one of those Black Friday things!! Surprised

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