For breast cancer survivors, navigating treatment is only part of the journey. Rebuilding life after a mastectomy brings its own set of challenges — physically, emotionally, and financially. Unfortunately, many women aren’t informed about important Medicare benefits that can help during recovery. One of the most commonly overlooked benefits? Coverage for breast prostheses and mastectomy bras. We hear it far too often: “I’ve been paying out of pocket for years — I didn’t know Medicare would help!”
Let’s make sure you know your options.
What Does Medicare Cover?
Silicone Breast Forms
- One every two years for single mastectomy
- Two every two years for bilateral mastectomy
Foam Breast Forms
- One every six months for single mastectomy
- Two every six months for bilateral mastectomy
Nipple Prostheses
- Covered as part of post-mastectomy prosthetic benefits
Mastectomy Bras
- Covered when prescribed by a doctor — a benefit many women aren’t made aware of
Why Don’t More People Know About This?
Too often, survivors are simply not informed of this coverage — or they may purchase items from suppliers that are not Medicare-approved, resulting in unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
Another common misconception is that these items don’t qualify as “medical equipment.” In fact, Medicare covers them under prosthetic benefits when prescribed by your physician.
We see it time and again: women paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars unnecessarily, when Medicare would have covered most or all of the cost. It’s both frustrating and avoidable with the right information.
How to Access These Benefits
- Talk to your doctor and ensure they write a prescription for the needed items.
- Work with a Medicare-approved DME supplier. This step is crucial to avoid surprise expenses.
- If you’re not sure where to start, our team is happy to help connect you with trusted, approved suppliers.
The Just Us Final Take
Breast cancer recovery is challenging enough. Paying out of pocket for equipment that should be covered doesn’t need to be part of the burden.
At Just Us Retirement, we’re committed to helping our clients understand all of their Medicare benefits — especially the ones that too often get overlooked.
If you or a loved one have questions about prostheses, mastectomy bras, or any other DME coverage, stay connected with us:
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justusretirement
Join our private Facebook group for Medicare Q&A: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wvmedicarequestions
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You don’t have to navigate this alone — we’re here to help!”