Healthwick.ca Launches ODSP Direct Billing

    TORONTO, ON, April 24, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Direct-to-home retailer Healthwick has announced the launch of their ODSP Direct Billing program for ODSP Beneficiaries today. This new Healthwick service allows Ontarians who require incontinence and healthcare products through the Mandatory Special Necessities benefit to receive their monthly allotment of products via the mail, with bills going directly to the Ministry of Community and Social Services ("MCSS").

The Mandatory Special Necessities benefit covers the cost of diabetic supplies, surgical supplies and incontinence supplies for ODSP recipients, when they are confirmed to be necessary by a doctor or nurse in Ontario, and the cost is not being covered by any other source (i.e. charitable programs or private insurance).

"The first ODSP Beneficiary who approached us for incontinence products was frustrated by the process of getting his necessary products at the local pharmacy," says Sharron Jones, Healthwick's Marketing and Customer Care Director. "He was on a fixed income and found it difficult to pay for product up-front and wait for re-imbursement, plus the store often didn't have the quantity of product he needed, so he had to make several trips each month. And the product he was getting in store wasn't absorbent enough for his needs anyways."

Through Healthwick's ODSP Direct Billing program, eligible Beneficiaries have access to Canada's largest selection of incontinence products, as well as catheter, ostomy, and skincare items. All items are shipped via Canada Post and generally arrive at the Beneficiary's home in one to two business days, with next day delivery in some areas of Ontario.

Eligible Beneficiaries are enrolled to automatically receive a monthly supply of the products they've selected, with billing being submitted on their behalf to their ODSP Caseworker, so there are no out-of-pocket expenses. Enrollment in the program is free for both the Caseworker and the Beneficiary, while the MCSS pays only for products and a $9 flat-fee shipping charge per month.

"We've been testing the Healthwick ODSP Direct Billing program since 2014 and we've found that enrollment makes the lives of both Beneficiaries and Caseworkers much easier," says Jones. "It's a simple 3-step process to enroll that can generally be completed in under 48 hours, and saves both the Beneficiary and Caseworker hours of time in shopping and processing receipts each month. And Beneficiaries receive a better selection of products to choose from, which often translates to better quality of life."

Healthwick also makes available their free sample program, allowing Beneficiaries to try up to 5 different products in the privacy of their home before choosing the products they'll require going forward.

"We're proud to be Canada's top choice for hard-to-find products, and hard-to-fit sizes from youth or extra-small up to XXXL," says Sean Neville, CEO of Healthwick. "Many of the Beneficiaries who come to us aren't even aware that they could be far more comfortable, have a better quality of life, or have better skin health by switching to the right product."

ODSP Beneficiaries and Caseworkers can learn more or enroll in the Healthwick ODSP Direct Billing program online at http://www.healthwick.ca/odsp or by calling toll-free at 1-877-775-6656.

Healthwick is Canada's largest online incontinence store, offering fast and discreet nation-wide shipping direct to Canadian homes. With over 500 products in stock daily, Healthwick carries all national and specialty brands including TENA, Depend, Prevail, Always, Tranquility, Abena, Coloplast and many more, in sizes XS/youth to XXXL/bariatric. Canadians can also take advantage of Healthwick's free sample program by requesting up to 5 samples to try in the privacy of their homes. Healthwick is headquartered in Oakville, Ontario and is proudly Canadian owned and operated.

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