Urological catheters are critical to the well-being of millions of individuals in the US today. The market size of these medical devices was valued at $2.1 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $3 billion by 2024.
If you’re a long-term user of urological catheters, you know how crucial it is to get your supplies replenished in a timely manner. Sometimes problems related to their usage arise out of nowhere, which requires you to change them immediately. Plus, running out simply isn’t an option as it can have grave consequences.
That’s why you need a reliable and easily accessible supplier that ensures you have an uninterrupted catheter supply.
If your current provider falls short, it may be time for you to switch. This may seem scary at first, but don’t worry. This article will break down the process and answer all your questions about switching to a new catheter vendor.
Why do patients switch suppliers?
There are several reasons that compel patients to look for a new catheter vendor. Here are some of the most common ones:
Poor customer service. Users want to be able to reach their catheter supplier easily whenever they need to. They want to talk to someone knowledgeable who can not only answer their queries but also provide the support they need when they need it. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with most providers.
As our Office Manager Monica puts it,
"One of the most common reasons I've heard from patients wanting to switch is customer service. They can never get hold of a live representative. It's always some kind of automated phone tree."
Insurance coverage. Often, patients are compelled to switch vendors because their current provider is no longer contracted with their insurance company. In such situations, it’s imperative that they quickly find a new provider (or a new doctor) that has a contract with their insurance company.
Forced switch. This may sound strange but it happens all the time. Your catheter supplier may no longer want to provide the specific product that you like to use. Not all catheters cost the same. Essentially, they’re forcing you to switch because they are more focused on profitability than patient care
Unreliability. As concerning as that might sound, there are patients who don't receive their supplies in a timely manner each month from their vendor. Not only does this create unnecessary stress, anxiety, and hassle for patients, there’s also a huge risk associated with not getting their supplies replenished on time.
What concerns do patients have about switching?
Most patients get jittery at the thought of switching catheter suppliers — even if they’re not happy with their current provider. If you’ve been cathing for the last five years or more, switching can seem scary.
As Monica says,
"Some patients are scared to switch because they don't know if they're going to get their supplies on time. They don't want to miss even a day. They want security. So sometimes they’re hesitant to switch, even if they're unhappy with their provider.”
How to switch
If you’ve been self-cathing a long time, switching vendors may seem like a scary proposition. But don’t be too overwhelmed — once you’re familiar with our process, you’ll be surprised at how simple it is. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1. Keep the following information handy.
- Your insurance ID number
- Your address
- Your doctor's name
- The supply that you use (the reference number). If you don’t know how to read this off the product, just take a picture of it on your phone.
Step 2. Call us, text us, or email us.
Rest assured, you are going to reach one of our knowledgeable specialists every single time. Just tell them you want to switch and share the above information with them. Text them the picture of your product if you don’t know how to read the reference number.
They’ll pull up the necessary information to ensure that you get the exact supply you need. Our staff will also work with your doctor’s office and insurance company to get all the necessary documentation, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Step 3. Cancel your previous vendor.
That’s really the only thing we need you to do on your own. Call your current provider to cancel your subscription or stop placing new orders with them — whatever works best for you. As long as we can confirm that your current vendor has been canceled, we’re good to go.
Why choose Urology Pros
We understand that switching your catheter supplier can seem overwhelming. We’re here to make that process as smooth and easy as possible. Here’s how:
- Reliability. With Urology Pros, you can rest assured that you’re going to get your supplies on time, every time. You don’t even need to call us to reorder. Our staff will track your supply needs and make sure you automatically get your supplies around the same date every month.
- Accessibility. Anytime you text, email, or call us, you're going to reach a real person who cares about your needs. Not an automated phone tree.
- Personalized service. We assign every individual their own personal customer service representative. You'll be interacting only with them for all your needs. Our staff has driven far, sometimes on weekends, to deliver catheters to patients who needed them. With Urology Pros, you’re not just a number. You’re part of the family.
- Simplicity. We know you have enough to deal with already. You shouldn’t have to worry about the nitty-gritty of switching providers too. That’s why we take care of the whole process for you. We work with your doctor’s office and your insurance provider to handle the fine details, so you don’t have to. Just call us, and we'll take care of everything.
- Easy refilling. With us, you’ll never have to worry about running out of catheters when you switch. Our staff will always check with you if you’ve got enough supplies at hand and make sure you get your next order whenever it’s due. Even if you need supplies that very day, we can get them to you. We understand its importance, so we can have your prescription backdated, as a courtesy.
The bottom line
By choosing Urology Pros, you’ll never have to worry about running out of catheter supplies. Our staff goes the extra mile to ensure you get exactly what you need when you need it. We’ll track your supply needs and make sure you get your monthly or 90-day orders on time, every time. Call us to speak to your personal service representative and make the switch today!
