Living with incontinence or caring for a loved one who does can feel overwhelming. Along with the physical and emotional challenges, many people face a common concern: how to afford the ongoing cost of incontinence supplies. What most people don’t realize is that incontinence supplies are often covered by insurance, including Medicaid and many private insurance plans. With the right documentation and an in-network provider, you may be able to receive adult diapers, pull-ups, pads, and other essential supplies at little to no cost.

This step-by-step guide explains how to get incontinence supplies through insurance, and what plans may cover them. 

While these steps may seem complicated, Neb Medical Services helps guide you through the process by verifying insurance, gathering documentation, and coordinating approvals on your behalf so you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Step 1: Understand Which Incontinence Supplies Are Covered by Insurance

Incontinence supplies are considered medically necessary when they are prescribed to manage a diagnosed medical condition. Coverage varies by insurance plan, but many policies include benefits for common products such as:

  • Adult diapers and briefs
  • Protective underwear (pull-ups)
  • Absorbent pads and liners
  • Underpads (bed and furniture protection)
  • Skin care items like wipes and barrier creams (in some plans)

Medicaid is the most common insurer to cover disposable incontinence products, but some private plans may also offer coverage or reimbursement when medical necessity is documented.

How to Get Incontinence Supplies Through Medicaid

For many individuals, Medicaid is often the solution to getting incontinence supplies covered through insurance. It’s the most reliable insurance option for incontinence coverage. In many states, Medicaid covers the above products you’d typically need when dealing with incontinence.

To qualify, you generally need:

  • Active Medicaid coverage
  • A medical diagnosis related to incontinence
  • A prescription or LMN (see step 3)
  • An approved Medicaid in-network supplier (see step 4)

How Neb Medical Services Helps

Working directly with Medicaid plans to ensure eligible patients receive supplies consistently and without unnecessary delays, Neb Medical helps streamline the process so you can focus on your health and not paperwork. 

So, what happens next? Let’s walk through it.

Step 2: Check Your Insurance Benefits

Before ordering supplies, it’s important to confirm whether your insurance plan includes incontinence coverage. You can do this by:

  • Calling the number on the back of your insurance card
  • Asking to speak with a benefits representative
  • Requesting a Declaration of Covered Benefits or Durable Medical Equipment (DME) coverage details

Be sure to ask specifically about:

  • Incontinence supplies covered by insurance
  • Monthly quantity limits
    • For many insurances, the typical quantity limits are:
      • Disposable Briefs: 150-300 per month
      • Protective Underwear: 150-200 per month
      • Underpads: 150-180 per month
      • Combination: Mixed products within limits
      • Additional: Can appeal for more if medically necessary
  • Preauthorization requirements
  • Whether an in-network supplier is required

If this feels confusing, you’re not alone. Navigating insurance is one of the biggest barriers people face when trying to get diapers covered by insurance.

How Neb Medical Services Helps

Neb Medical verifies your insurance benefits for you, confirms whether incontinence supplies are covered, reviews quantity limits, and identifies whether preauthorization is required – saving you time and unnecessary back-and-forth with your insurer.

To qualify for coverage and get the incontinence supplies you need. See if You Qualify Today

Step 3: Get a Prescription or Letter of Medical Necessity

To qualify for coverage, most insurance plans, especially Medicaid, require a doctor’s prescription or Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN). Neb Medical can assist you with capturing your prescription/LMN by obtaining pre-authorization (if needed) once your insurance is verified.

This documentation typically includes:

  • Patient name and date of birth
  • Medical diagnosis related to incontinence
  • ICD-10 diagnosis codes
  • Type of incontinence (urinary, bowel, or both)
  • Severity and frequency of incontinence
  • Quantity of supplies needed per day or month
  • Specific product type (briefs, pull-ups, pads, etc.)

Your primary care physician, urologist, neurologist, or other treating provider can typically supply this documentation.

How Neb Medical Services Helps

Neb Medical coordinates directly with your physician to obtain or complete missing documentation. If your prescription or LMN needs corrections, Neb handles follow-ups so your approval isn’t delayed.

Step 4: Choose an In-Network Incontinence Supplier

Even if your insurance covers incontinence supplies, not all suppliers accept insurance or are in-network with your plan. This is where most patients get stuck or denied, but Neb Medical eliminates this risk by being in-network with major insurers, including Anthem, Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, and Medicaid.

Working with an in-network provider is one of the most important steps in learning how to get incontinence supplies through Medicaid or private insurance without unexpected costs.

With Neb Medical, you select the products you need, and we handle insurance verification and billing directly.

Step 5: Insurance Verification and Preauthorization (If Required)

Some insurance plans require preauthorization before approving coverage for incontinence supplies. This means the insurer reviews your prescription and documentation before agreeing to pay.

Neb Medical Services manages this step for you by:

  • Verifying your insurance eligibility
  • Submitting required documentation
  • Communicating with your insurance provider
  • Confirming approved products and quantities

This eliminates the stress of paperwork and follow-ups, which is often where people get stuck when trying to get free incontinence supplies through insurance.

Step 6: Receive Your Incontinence Supplies

Once approved, your incontinence supplies are shipped directly to your home in discreet packaging, on a regular schedule. Depending on your plan, you may pay nothing out of pocket, have a small copay, or receive fully covered monthly shipments at no cost. 

Neb Medical Makes Getting Your Incontinence Supplies Easy

Although it may look easy to get incontinence supplies covered through insurance after the steps are broken down, sometimes all you need is a helping hand during the process. In fact, most people are surprised to learn they may qualify for incontinence supplies covered by insurance at all. With Neb Medical Services, support is available every step of the way. Have more than a provider, have a partner. 

Neb Medical Services helps thousands of people and their loved ones by simplifying the process of ordering, qualifying for, and receiving the supplies they need to live more comfortably. Once you qualify, we’ll take care of the paperwork and insurance coordination on your behalf. You’ll have access to trusted incontinence brands, the freedom to choose the products that work best for you, and billing is handled directly with your insurance provider – helping save time and reduce out-of-pocket costs.

If you’re looking to improve your quality of life with a team committed to your care, take a few moments to check your insurance eligibility below. There’s no obligation, just clear answers about what incontinence supplies may be covered for you, with support available every step of the way.

See If You Qualify Here – Order Incontinence and Mobility Supplies Covered by Insurance 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance-Covered Incontinence Supplies

How long will it take to get approved?

Approval timelines vary by insurance plan, but many patients receive confirmation within a few days once all required documentation is submitted. Medicaid approvals are often processed quickly when medical necessity is clearly documented.

What if my insurance denies coverage?

If coverage is denied, there may still be options, such as submitting additional documentation, appealing the decision, or reviewing alternative coverage pathways. Our team can help guide you through the next steps.

What if I’m unsure which products I need? 

Our team can help you understand your options and select products that best fit your needs and your insurance coverage.

Can I update my monthly shipment of supplies?

You can always adjust the amount of supplies you receive each month. Use our online portal to request fewer items easily. If you need more supplies, call us, and a Continence Care Specialist will check your coverage level for additional items.

How quickly will my order ship?

You should receive your order within 2 days of your shipping date. You will receive an email and a text with your tracking information. Please note that your order may arrive in multiple boxes, which can be delivered on separate days.

What incontinence brands are available?

We currently carry Cardinal Health, McKesson, and Medline in incontinence supplies.