HS Wound Care FAQs

Do I need a referral, or can I order DME myself?
For insurance to cover DME, it needs to be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider, your primary care doctor, wound care specialist, or treating physician. You generally can’t purchase it directly and have insurance reimburse you.

What if my insurance denies the claim?
Denials happen, but they’re often not final. Many are due to incomplete paperwork and can be appealed. A good DME supplier will help you through the appeals process. Don’t give up after a first no.

How long does it take?
In many cases, HidraWear can be delivered within days to a couple of weeks, depending on insurance verification and any pre-authorisation requirements.

Will I have to pay anything out of pocket?
It depends on your plan. Many Medicare and Medicaid patients pay little to nothing. For commercial insurance, it depends on your deductible and copay structure. Call your insurance provider and ask whether your policy covers wound care DME.

What if my doctor isn’t familiar with HS wound care?
You can share our clinician information page directly with your healthcare provider; it’s designed to give physicians and nurses the clinical context they need to prescribe appropriately for HS patients.

The most common thing we hear from patients after they access insurance-covered wound care is:

“I wish I’d known about this sooner.”

If you’ve been managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa wounds with whatever you could find at the pharmacy, you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. You just might not know yet that another option exists, and that your insurance may already cover it.

Checking your coverage is free. There’s no obligation and no pressure. Call your insurance provider and ask whether your policy covers wound care DME.

How do I get HidraWear delivered to me?
Go to hidrawear.com – a form will pop up for you to complete – alternatively select ‘Patient resources’ and ‘prescription home delivery’ and complete the form here.

What happens once I complete the form?
A personal advisor from Bullen healthcare will give you a call.

They will explain the different types of HidraWear base layers and the wound dressings.

They will ask you for your doctors surgery name and address.

They will advise you to head to the HidraWear website and follow the instructions on how to measure yourself for each base layer that you require.

Once you have provided them with the size you require in each base layer (it is important you measure yourself for each item separately).

Who are Bullen healthcare and why do I need to provide them with my personal details?
Bullen are the independent company trusted to dispatch HidraWear in the UK. They need your details in order to take the pressure off you as the patient. They deal directly with your GP surgery to request the HidraWear items that you require and arrange delivery to your door.

What happens once I have provided my details to Bullen?
A personal advisor will be in touch with your GP surgery to request the prescription items – likely by email.

The personal advisor will let you know an expected delivery date of your prescription HidraWear items. They will also advise you that if there are any delays or problems with your prescription – they will be in touch with you.

How do I know what type of wound dressing I need?
HidraWear has two types of non-adhesive wound dressing. Super absorbent and foam. Superabsorbent is for high to medium exudate and Foam is for low exudate.

How do I know what type of exudate I have?
Looking at your current wound care or clothing items… Does the exudate soak through your dressing/clothing item? If yes – we recommend the super absorbent dressing. If the exudate just sits on the skin and does not transfer onto your dressing/clothing item then we recommend the foam dressing.

What happens if my doctor refuses to prescribe me HidraWear?
There are several reasons for a refusal – some are budget related, some are formulary related, and some are communication related. Bullen will assist if possible, but cannot “force” a prescription.

How much will this prescription cost me? Do I need to pay for delivery?
Your GP should prescribe all items and each item will be £9.90. Some patients may be exempt from prescription charges (we recommend checking this). Alternatively it may be better for you to purchase an NHS prepayment certificate: which is £32.05 for 3 months and £114.50 for 12 months. There is no charge for delivery.

Will I receive an order confirmation?
You will receive an automated text message from Bullen with an order confirmation notification. Along with a date that a personal advisor will call you again to see how you are getting on with your Hidrawear and if you need any more wound dressings.

What do I do if I need more wound dressings before my check in call with Bullen?
Call Bullen on: 0800 756 2428. An advisor will take your details and contact your doctor like usual

Is it okay to call Bullen before my check-in call if I require more wound dressings?
Yes, you can call Monday to Friday 09.00-17.30pm and ask the Bullen team to order you more wound dressings.