By Hayley Milne
Last updated January 4, 2022
Medicaid: An Overview
Medicaid was first developed as an outcome of the Social Security Amendments of 1965. This long-standing program has been a crucial resource for many U.S. citizens over the past several decades.
Medicaid offers many benefits, which is largely why it has been so successful for so long. The primary benefit is that it provides coverage for medical supplies (including incontinence supplies), hospital services and other healthcare costs to low-income people and is one of the largest payers for healthcare in the U.S. Medicaid currently covers over 76.3 million people in the U.S. The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey reports there are about 332 million people in the U.S., which means that around 23% of the population relies on Medicaid. That’s a significant portion of the population! This massive program helps support those who otherwise have very limited options for healthcare.
Medicaid and Incontinence Supplies
One of the more challenging aspects of the program is the lack of clear information regarding benefits. Federal law requires states to provide certain mandatory benefits and allows states the choice of covering optional benefits, which increases the confusion, as benefits vary by state. Medicaid plans usually only cover incontinence supplies if they are determined to be medically necessary by a doctor. That means a doctor must confirm these medical supplies are essential to manage a health condition. Otherwise, Medicaid will not pay for the supplies. Paperwork will also need to be submitted to the insurance provider for the product to be covered. Each Medicaid plan has different requirements for what documents are necessary. So while it would be much easier just to pick up a local pack of adult diapers, pads or other incontinence supplies at a store, that is not always an option when you want it to be covered by Medicaid.
Whether you are searching for the right incontinence supplies for yourself or someone you are caring for who is managing incontinence, you may be wondering what incontinence supplies are covered and which are not covered by Medicaid. It is important to know what supplies are covered because purchasing incontinence supplies that are not covered can become a significant financial burden on one’s personal expenses
Does Medicaid Cover Depends?
Members of Medicaid plans can attest to the ambiguity of Medicaid plans; it is not always clear what incontinence supplies are covered by the program. Certain brands like Depend incontinence products, (often referred to as “Depends”), are only found in retail stores. This brand is sold in large stores like Target, Walmart and Walgreens. They also spend significant dollars to run ads on television and magazines. This means that you will likely find Depends adult diapers at your local supermarket or see it inside of a magazine ad, but unfortunately, they will not be covered by Medicaid.
Alternatives to Depends
Although Depends are not covered by Medicaid plans, it is easy to get similar pull-ons, adult diapers, briefs and incontinence pads which will suit your needs. There are dozens of incontinence supplies brands available today, and many of those can be purchased online. We offer many alternatives on our website ComfortPlusOnline.com. So many alternatives exist that offer the same quality as Depends, if not of even greater quality!
At ComfortPlusOnline.com web store we can help guide you to the right incontinence supplies.
On our website, you can browse different medical supplies categories, such as:
- Incontinence
- Hygiene
- Bedroom
- Daily living
- Samples
If you are struggling to find Medicaid-eligible incontinence supplies, we encourage you to contact our customer support team and ask for “Medicaid Support” specifically.
Quality Incontinence Product Alternatives
ComfortPlusOnline.com offers incontinence products from a variety of brands. We will happily work with you to ensure you find the right product(s) that best meet your needs. Whether you are struggling with light or heavy incontinence, urinary or fecal incontinence, or other incontinence-related issues – we carry incontinence supplies for every need.
The right adult diaper can transform your life, giving you the confidence to pursue the activities you love with the people you love. The best solution will be the most absorbent and comfortable, eliminating odors and keeping skin dry.
Not sure which is the best option for you? We recommend starting by exploring our best adult diapers guide to find the right alternative product for you. This guide is a robust breakdown of the best adult diapers based on specific needs.
You can also browse our product selection guide to search for adult diapers and other incontinence supplies by their level of absorbency (light, moderate, heavy, maximum, maximum plus) or by the type of incontinence. We have products specifically tailored to incontinent types, such as:
- Stress
- Urge
- Overflow
- Reflex
- Functional
- Extra needs
- Maximum protection plus
If you need additional assistance, our customer service team would be happy to help by phone at 1-888-656-8055 or by email at service@comfortplusonline.com. Phone lines are open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST. Whether you need alternative adult diapers, briefs or another solution, our customer service representatives have many years of experience. They will be able to expertly advise the best incontinence supplies for you. We will not give up until you are 100% satisfied!
Adult Diaper Alternatives
We offer many incontinence supplies alternatives to Depends, including options from these great brands:
- Tranquility Premium
- Tranquility Essential
- Tranquility Specialty, including Swimmates
- ReliaMed
- TENA
- Attends
- Aloe Vesta
- Abena
One of our most popular incontinence supplies options is the Tranquility Disposable Overnight Absorbent Underwear. It absorbs over a quart of liquid and has a soft, full-rise waist for a comfortable fit. This product also features a peach mat core which guarantees skin dryness, odor reduction, pH neutralization and inhibition of bacterial growth. It has a simple “pull-on” design, making it super easy to put on or take off. There is also both a daytime and an overnight version of this disposable underwear. Sometimes we find that customer reviews tell a product story best. We love this review of the Tranquility Disposable Overnight Absorbent Underwear from current Comfort Plus customer, RBB:
“Bought these pull ups and boosters for my mom at the recommendation of Lisa at Tranquility. Lisa was recommended to me by a social worker who is caring for my mom. I cannot thank Lisa enough for the time she spent explaining this whole process and product line to me. She was 100% correct in her recommendations and how to best use these Tranquility products. The leaking has stopped and frankly although these are slightly more expensive, in the end it’s cheaper than store bought. We will continue to use these products.”
We love seeing happy customers and strive to make every customer experience great! Our goal is to make sure you feel empowered and satisfied, so that you want to return to our store again and again.
While these specific incontinence supplies mentioned are among our best sellers, keep in mind that everyone has unique needs. Adult diapers that work for one person, may not work for someone else. It is very common to need to try a couple of different incontinence supplies options to find the best one for you. When exploring for the right solution, keep in mind your unique needs.
Please check out our best adult diapers guide for an overview of all products and their unique benefits or contact a member of our customer service team for additional support.
Where to shop
At Comfort Plus, we have many alternative adult diaper, briefs and incontinence solutions to Depends. We pride ourselves on quality customer service. Our customer service teams are available via phone Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST. Outside of those hours (or anytime), they can be reached via email at service@comfortplusonline.com. You can also leave a message through our online Contact Us form which can be found here.
We also offer subscriptions on most of our products, so you do not need to remember to order again online or over the phone – it just shows up at your door! You also save 5% on every subscription order and free shipping on any order $50+!
All of our products arrive in discreet packaging and boxes to maintain your privacy. No nosey neighbor needs to know what is inside!
If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you may return any product that is unopened, unmarked and in the original packaging within 30 days of the purchase for a full refund.
We have proudly been in business since 1992. Throughout the years, our mission has always remained the same: to provide those we serve with freedom, confidence and self-esteem to enjoy the things they have always enjoyed. Comfort Plus is committed to helping our customers achieve this by providing the very best adult diapers, disposable underwear and other incontinence products with personalized customer support at reasonable prices.
Comfort Plus Story
One of the best ways to tell our story at Comfort Plus, is to share this letter that our founder, Martha O’Neill, wrote to customers during the starting years of her business. Please see below –
"Bessie Shippey, my grandmother, music teacher, substitute mother, mentor and my personal hero was, at 98, physically abused in a residential care home. Unfortunately, as a result of 14 months of abuse, she became incontinent. I became the caregiver in my own home because she was suffering from skin breakdown, odor and embarrassment due to inferior incontinence products being used. I felt compelled to search for a product that would keep her free from this distress and allow her to regain her dignity.
This situation motivated me to attend the Medtrade Show in Atlanta, Georgia to search for a solution. At this largest of medical trade shows I was able to see every incontinence product on the market and review their merits. I was thoroughly impressed with Tranquility Incontinence Products; they were simply the best!
To my surprise not only did I find a product to help my grandmother but also I was able to become the Southwest distributor for Tranquility. I felt this opportunity was the answer to my prayers and Comfort Plus Medical Supply, Inc. was born."
We are so thankful for Martha’s never-ending drive and courage to start ComfortPlus. From a hard situation, she spread so much positivity and hope into other peoples’ lives. We aim to continue her legacy by helping every incontinent patient regain their independence and freedom.
If you are searching for an alternative to Depends for Medicaid-covered medical supplies, please check out all of our adult diapers, disposable underwear and other incontinence supplies at ComfortPlusOnline.com or contact our customer service for support.
Popular Products
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Hayley Milne
Hayley Milne is a digital marketer for a leading continence care product manufacturer. She has over 10 years of experience developing marketing and communication plans, leading tactical integration of business objectives, guiding brand creative execution, and measuring success through quantifiable results.
For more information or questions about this article, please call Comfort Plus at 1-888-656-8055 or email service@comfortplusonline.com.