Trusted By Thousands of Americans Nationwide For Their Catheter Supplies & Accessories

Frequently Asked Questions For Catheter Users

How much do catheter supplies cost? 

Your insurance plan will determine how much your catheter supplies cost. At Premier Catheter Supplies, we will contact your insurance provider directly to handle the process of billing. As always, do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions about your insurance coverage.

What products and services do you have?

Premier Catheter Supplies has a large number of products and brands, which include:

• Closed-system catheters
• Intermittent straight catheters
• Hydrophilic catheters
• Coudé tip catheters
• 100% silicone catheters

Can Premier Catheter Supplies help me decide which catheter is best for me?

Of course! Our catheter specialists are more than happy to help you find the right solution based on your unique needs. Call us at 866-206-8846 to discuss our catheter supplies!

How do I receive free catheter samples?

We are committed to your satisfaction, so we offer free catheter samples so that you can decide which product best fits your needs. To get your free catheter samples, fill out our contact form. We require some important information from you related to your prescription, insurance plan, and how to stay in contact with you.

Do I need a prescription to buy catheters?

It is required to have a prescription to buy catheters from any supplier. Your prescription should include a diagnosis and a monthly estimate of how many and what type of catheter you will require. Premier Catheter Supplies works to remove any stress related to this process by contacting both your insurance provider and your doctor directly to obtain any relevant information.

What is a catheter?

A catheter is a bendable tube that is usually made from silicone, plastic, or rubber. It first collects urine from your bladder and then drains it into a collection bag. People use catheters when they have trouble fully emptying their bladder, which may occur with urinary retention or incontinence, or if you lose control of your bladder.

Why do people use urinary catheters?

People use urinary catheters when their bladders cannot completely empty on their own. Some common reasons that this may happen are neurogenic bladder, urinary retention, and urinary incontinence. 

How do I use a catheter?

It can be stressful and unfamiliar to use a catheter for the first time. Luckily, the team at Premier Catheter Supplies consists of experts who can help you build the confidence you need to have a successful self-catheterization experience. Contact us today to speak with a catheter specialist.

What is urinary incontinence? 

Urinary incontinence is a general loss of bladder control. There are different ways in which this can happen, from a small loss of urine to a complete loss of control. Urinary incontinence is so common that millions of Americans experience symptoms. About one of four men and one of two women will suffer from urinary incontinence symptoms. 

What is self-catheterization? 

Self-catheterization, or self-cathing, is using a catheter to drain urine. People with self-cath to help with urinary retention and urinary incontinence symptoms. It is also common to self-cath after certain surgeries or when other health problems are present.

Are intermittent catheters covered by Medicare?

Medicare will cover 200 straight catheters and intermittent catheters for individual lubricant packs. Submit documentation from your doctor to receive coverage from Medicare. 

What types of catheter supplies do you offer? 

Premier Catheter Supplies offers a wide variety of coude and straight tip catheters in pediatric, female, and male lengths. Our catheters also come in a variety of different materials (latex-free, silicone, red rubber) and French sizes. To find out which catheter best fits your needs, familiarize yourself with the catheter products that Premier Catheter Supplies carries.

Intermittent Catheters: Basic “uncoated” catheters that require lubrication during the insertion and removal processes. The most standard type of catheter is generally the most affordable, which is a great option for patients who are under-insured or have no insurance coverage.

Hydrophilic Catheters: These catheters are ideal for people who experience any pain or discomfort when they self-cath. Hydrophilic catheters have a unique coating that is activated by water and acts as a lubricant. Once the coating is activated, it remains slippery throughout the self-catheterization process, which allows for smoother, painless insertion.

Closed System Catheters: These include a pre-lubricated, ready-to-use catheter as well as a collection chamber. This is an ideal option for people who are constantly on-the-go or for people who use wheelchairs. A closed-system catheter can decrease your risk of UTIs while giving you the comfort and convenience that you need.

What are coudé catheters?

Coude catheters are curved tipped intermittent catheters. They are often used if standard straight tip catheters are uncomfortable for the wearer.

What are closed system catheters?

Closed system catheters are all-in-one catheter systems that feature touch-free catheterization, which reduces the risk of bacterial contamination related to UTIs. Also included in these systems are a collection bag and a flexible tip, which allows for comfortable catheterization.

Do I need a prescription for catheters?

Yes, a prescription is required to get a catheter. Since we are committed to your health, we will handle the entire prescription process for you. 

We have an entire department that will work with your doctor to get all the necessary paperwork required for your insurance provider to cover your catheters.

We work and communicate politely with your primary care physician or urologist in order to get your catheters to you as efficiently as we can.

Can I catheterize in a public restroom?

Absolutely. Sometimes people don’t have the ability to use their own bathrooms when they need to self-cath, so they will use a public restroom. Although certain public restrooms may be unfamiliar to you, self-cathing is still possible! Many patients opt to use a hydrophilic or closed system catheter in these circumstances to prevent any potential infections. 

Can I bring my catheters on an airplane?

Many people travel with their catheters when they are on-the-go. If you need to take catheters with you on an airplane, we recommend planning out the number of supplies that you will need while also account for extras in case of emergency. Our pocket-sized catheters are popular for travel due to their lightweight.

Wearing a catheter is painful. Does Premier Catheter Supplies have more comfortable catheters?

Every patient is different and there is no one catheter treatment plan that will fit each patient’s needs. Premier Catheter Supplies carries various products and brands to ensure that all of our customers are taken care of. If you would like some help deciding which catheters may be best for you, contact one of our catheter experts to talk about your options and get some free samples.

Can I reuse catheters?

It can be unsafe and unsanitary to reuse your catheters. Reusing catheters can introduce bacteria to your urethra that may lead to urinary tract infections. With this in mind, Premier Catheter Supplies recommends using a new sterile catheter each time you need to self-cath. 

How can I prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs)?

Urinary tract infections can be uncomfortable and are very common. People contract UTIs when their urethra becomes contaminated with bacteria. There are some ways that you can prevent this bacterial contamination: 

• Wash your hands before self-cathing
• Use sterile, one-time-use catheters 
• Use touch-free catheters

How do I insert a catheter?

Self-cathing for the first time can be stressful. Our catheter specialists recommend relaxing, using ample lubrication, and being mindful of any paint that comes with insertion.

What are catheters made of?

Most catheters are made of silicone, red rubber latex, or vinyl. Contact one of our catheter specialists for free samples to see if you prefer a certain material.

When should I use an intermittent catheter?

Intermittent catheters are recommended for patients with bladders that are unable to empty on their own. If you are able to insert your own catheter, or if someone you know is willing to do so for you, we recommend using intermittent catheters. These catheters are useful because they remove the need for a separate collection bag. Contact your doctor to see if intermittent catheters can help you with your unique needs.

What catheter products and services do you provide? 

Since we carry a wide range of products, we are confident in our ability to help you with whatever needs you may have. We offer catheters for children, coude and straight tip catheters, hydrophilic and closed system catheters, as well as pocket catheters that are perfect for patients who are always on-the-go. We also are happy to provide you with essential insertion supplies.

Where do you ship catheter supplies to? 

We ship to all addresses located within the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Where can I buy catheters near me? 

Premier Catheter Supplies has an online ordering system that is easy to use and can get your catheters to you as fast as possible. Contact our catheter specialists today for more information.

What catheter brands do you offer?

We are dedicated to helping each of our customers find the perfect catheter for their individual needs. Because of this, we carry many different brands of catheters to ensure that each patient can find their perfect fit. If you are looking to try new brands, please contact us to learn more about our free catheter samples. We carry some popular catheter brands, such as Coloplast, Hollister, Bard, GentleCath, Cure, and more. To see the entirety of our collection, look through our product catalog. 

What size catheter should I use?

What French size you should use depends on your body, so talk to your doctor for some advice on which sizes will work best for you. It is important to use the proper French size to ensure that you can self-cath more easily and comfortably.

How long does it take to get my catheters?

The most ideal situation is to have your complete order sitting on your doorstep within 48 hours. To accomplish this, we contact your doctor’s office within 2 hours of verifying your insurance coverage.

If your doctor’s office can complete and return the necessary paperwork by the end of the business day, it is very possible that you will receive your first order within 24 hours!

It is important to note that doctor’s offices vary in size, and it depends on their availability to determine how fast they can return the required paperwork back to us.

If your order is particularly urgent, you are more than welcome to reach out personally to your provider. It is common that hearing from patients directly can speed along the paperwork process.

What do I do if my insurance doesn’t cover catheters?

Since insurance coverage can change from month to month, it is possible that it has changed in regards to your catheter supplies eligibility.

We are happy to contact your insurance provider to learn of your most updated plan and the current status regarding your catheter coverage. 

If we are not able to work with your specific provider, we can set up follow-ups with them and will notify you of any changes in your insurance policy’s coverage for catheters.

As always, we welcome you as our patient, regardless of any changes to your insurance plan!

What if the catheter I am using no longer works for me?

We are willing and happy to send different samples of our products so that you can find the best fit for you!

Once Premier Catheter Supplies has my paperwork on file, does that cover my catheter supplies for life?

Most insurance coverage plans require an annual doctor’s appointment to assess your catheter usage.

We will remind you 3 months before your paperwork on file expires so that you don’t have to experience any delays in receiving your orders.

How do I know when my next order of supplies will ship?

We will contact you up to 14 days before your upcoming order to let you know when it is eligible for shipping. 

We have different contacting options depending on how you’d like to be reached, including phone calls, emails, and text messages.

Can anyone sign a prescription/RX and/or addendum to chart notes?

Insurance guidelines are strictly enforced, so only the medical provider who has seen the patient can sign their prescription.

There is an exception to this – under Medicare, another medical provider can prescribe catheters to a patient that they have seen in the past six months.

Why do insurance companies need justification for coude tip catheters?

Insurance companies will only reimburse for coude tip catheters if a patient has certain needs to be met. Some of these needs include BPH, prostate cancer, and urethral strictures.

Why does Premier Catheter Supplies request Addendums to Chart Notes?

We must ensure that patient prescriptions and chart notes match in terms of both criteria and qualifications. For example, Medicare is strict about their requirements for specific wordage about catheter type, frequency of use, and diagnoses that are included in the Chart Notes.

How do I know what catheter is best for me? There are so many brands to choose from.

Our team of experts are eager to help you find the most effective catheter for you specifically. We are always happy to assist you in finding the choice that best fits your situation and circumstances.

I have insurance. Why am I getting a bill for my catheter supplies?

We are required to bill you for any unpaid coinsurance and/or deductible for your order of supplies. Luckily, you may fill out a financial hardship form to see if you qualify for free supplies!

How do I find out if my catheter items are covered by my insurance?

Our finance department will contact your insurance company directly to discuss and verify the catheter benefits on your policy.

Why did my insurance company send me a check after I ordered catheter supplies?

Sometimes, claims to insurance providers may be processed as an out of network provider. There are some insurance policies that pay you directly because of our status as an out of network provider instead of distributing the reimbursement to us. When this happens, we will send you a convenient, pre-paid envelope so that you can forward the payment for the cost of your supplies to us. 

How does catheter reordering work?

The catheter reordering process depends on your insurance plan requirements. If they require regular check-ins, Premier Catheter Supplies will contact you each month to evaluate your current supplies and will ship whatever supplies you need based on your stock. If your insurance provider does not require these regular check-ins, you can set up your shipments to recur based on how many supplies you estimate needing.