Where do go for prosthesis

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I found a home health supply store near me in Tampa. Is that the type of place to go to get fitted and order my prosthesis? They have lots of bras in their catalog but not in stock. Where should I go for these? So the stores will go thru insurance? I would love some advise here.

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  • Letlet
    Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
    edited April 2011

    I had to call my insurance first and they gave me a list of in-network places where i could get my post mastectomy bra and prosthesis. They would not pay for them if i got them somewhere else. So try calling them first before you buy anything.

  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited April 2011

    Most places have specialty stores just for us..there are at least three in our area,

    plus Nordstoms also has them. I think it is important to get a good fitting rather

    than go through a catalog, at least for the first time.

    Most places take insurance if your doc writes up a RX for one.

  • skippyrcis
    skippyrcis Member Posts: 186
    edited April 2011

    Thank you.  I did not know about the insurance at all.  When I did call the insurance company they gave me the names of two home health supply stores.  Both are about an hour away.  So I may have to check Nordstroms for the bras.  That is a big help. : )

  • Letlet
    Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
    edited April 2011

    Skippy, though it may be far, the hour drive may be worth it. I was shocked to find out my prosthesis (it was silicone) cost $250 and my post mastectomy bra was around $30. I recently got a 'post surgical' bra at another place and was told it was $58! I didnt pay anything since insurance covered it but i was still taken aback at how much it would cost.

  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited April 2011

    The Nordstoms here also sells prostheses

  • TokyoSing
    TokyoSing Member Posts: 140
    edited April 2011

    If you are going to Nordstrom's, call ahead and set up an appointment with the fitter.  Not every person at the store knows what to do with prosthesis and mastectomy bras.  Nordstrom's will do the paper work for your insurance company.  You are charged only what the insurance does not pay. Also, if you want a regular bra instead of a mstectomy bra, they will sew the pockets for you for free.

    Happy shopping! 

  • skippyrcis
    skippyrcis Member Posts: 186
    edited April 2011

    Wow, I will make time to go to HR today and call Nordstroms.  I had no clue.  Thank you!!!!

    (Can you tell, I'm excited!)

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited April 2011

    Hi skippyrcis,

    It can be overwhelming facing the task of finding breast forms (prostheses) and bras, but there are many choices out there. And there are new bras and breast forms coming out all the time. Nordstroms provides a great service. The only caveat there is that I believe they only sell Amoena products. Amoena makes excellent breast forms and nice bras, but there are other options, too.

    I agree with others that home health supply stores might not be the best place to start. They sometimes don't have much of a selection. Other than Nordstroms, maybe do a search in Tampa for mastectomy bras. Someone on a prior thread here, who lives in Pinellas, says she went to a place called Beautiful Transitions, which has locations in Largo and St. Pete. Not sure if that's too far for you. 

    You might also find it helpful to check out my non-profit website, BeastFree.org. In addition to sections recommending bras and breast forms that many women find comfortable and attractive, I have a "Helpful Links" section with links to online sites that sell a wide range of products. It's definitely better to find a good fitter right now and try things on in person. But browsing the online sites will give you a good idea of what's out there.  

  • skippyrcis
    skippyrcis Member Posts: 186
    edited April 2011

    Thank you.  I will check that site out.

  • skippyrcis
    skippyrcis Member Posts: 186
    edited April 2011

    I was searching through paperwork that my HR department gave me and in the back I found a mastectomy boutique.  Both HR and the insurance company failed to mention this one to me.  I have any appointment for next week.  Yay!  The boutique has already called my insurance company and has everything all worked out.  Whew!  Thanks for your advise here.  I sure needed it!

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