Frequently asked questions

Yes, for eligible patients. Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage plans cover the system and the monthly external catheter supply when a doctor documents medical necessity. Many private plans and Medicaid cover it too.

We verify your specific plan before anything is ordered or billed. Check your coverage, or download the authorization form (PDF, opens in a new tab) if you already have paperwork in progress.

Often, yes. Most major US plans cover The Fischer as medically necessary durable medical equipment for hyperhidrosis when a licensed provider prescribes it. Plans that commonly cover it include Tricare, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Horizon BCBS, and Select Health.

Coverage varies by plan, and some insurers require prior authorization. We handle that process for you. Check your coverage.

Yes, and there is no obligation. A Treatment Specialist contacts your insurer, confirms eligibility, and explains what your plan covers before anything is ordered or billed.

Start with the coverage page for The Fischer or for BD® PureWick®, or call us on (800) 525-3467.

Your name and date of birth, a copy of the insurance card front and back, the prescribing doctor’s name and office phone number, and a prescription if you already have one. If you do not have a prescription yet, we will talk through next steps.

Forms are on the patient forms page.

Prior authorization is the insurer’s confirmation that a device is medically necessary before they agree to pay. Some plans require it, some do not.

It can be started by you, your doctor, or an RA Fischer Treatment Specialist. In practice we usually handle it, working with your doctor’s office on anything the insurer asks for. Approval is never guaranteed, but complete paperwork is the single biggest factor in how quickly it goes through.

A denial is not always the end of it. We can help with an appeal, and we provide an insurance reimbursement guide so you can submit a claim yourself after purchasing.

You can also order out of pocket and seek reimbursement afterwards. A Treatment Specialist will explain the options that apply to your plan.

Iontophoresis uses a gentle electrical current to carry mineral ions from ordinary tap water into the sweat pores, temporarily blocking them. It does not damage the sweat glands; it interrupts their ability to produce sweat.

Sessions run 15 to 20 minutes, and many patients see a meaningful reduction within two weeks of daily treatment. Read the full treatment guide.

No. Most patients describe a mild tingling, similar to pins and needles. It should never be painful, and the intensity is adjustable. If it feels uncomfortable, turn the current down.

Most patients start with 15 to 20 minute sessions, two to three times a week, though your doctor and Treatment Specialist will set a schedule that suits you. Once you reach dryness, most people drop to a maintenance schedule of weekly or monthly sessions.

Do not treat more than once a day. Overuse can cause irritation, redness, or excessive dryness. See the getting started guide.

Start at 1 to 3mA and build up gradually. Most patients settle at 10 to 15mA for hands and 15 to 18mA for feet.

Fill the trays with two to five cups of tap water, enough to dampen the blue foam inserts. More detail is in the hands and feet guide.

Some patients need five to ten sessions before reaching dryness, so give it a little time. If your tap water is low in minerals the current has less to carry, and a small amount of baking soda in the trays improves conductivity.

If results plateau, increasing session frequency temporarily is the usual fix. Call a Treatment Specialist on (800) 525-3467 and we will talk through your protocol.

Iontophoresis is not recommended if you are pregnant, are under the age of six, or have a pacemaker, an implanted cardiac device, metal hardware in the treatment area, epilepsy, or certain cardiac conditions. Wait for open wounds or significant skin irritation in the treatment area to heal first.

Talk to your doctor if you are unsure whether any of these apply to you.

The Fischer comes with a 4-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects, and a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. Support and repairs are handled in the US.

If you need to return a device, call (800) 525-3467 or contact us for a Return Authorization first. Please do not ship anything back before you have one.

Replacement parts, including pH-balancing foam inserts, are available. Contact us or call (800) 525-3467 and we will sort out what you need.

It is an external urine collection system for women managing urinary incontinence at home. A soft, flexible female external catheter rests outside the body and connects to a small bedside pump and a sealed collection canister. Low, continuous suction draws urine away as it is released, so skin stays dry.

People often search for it as a wicking system for incontinence or a urine suction machine. See the full product page.

No. The external catheter rests outside the body, which is the main difference from a traditional indwelling catheter. No insertion and no catheterisation are involved.

Every eight to twelve hours, or sooner if soiled, which usually works out at one per night. They are single use.

Eligible patients receive 30 external catheters every 30 days, shipped automatically, so there is nothing to reorder. The canister and tubing are reusable and need occasional cleaning.

Most patients and caregivers find it straightforward after the first night. Setup instructions come with every order, and a Treatment Specialist will walk you through it by phone, which usually takes about ten minutes.

There is also a guide written for caregivers and a step-by-step guide with photos.

RA Fischer supplies the female external catheter system only. If you are looking for urinary management for a man, contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

The system is a final purchase and cannot be returned once opened, which is standard for this category of medical supply. Unopened catheters or supplies can be returned within 7 days for a full refund.

This is exactly why we check coverage and talk through suitability before anything is ordered.

Yes, for both products, and insurers also ask for documentation of medical necessity.

If you already have a prescription, it can be faxed to (818) 775-2941, by you or by the prescriber’s office. We ask for documents by fax rather than email, because fax is the more secure route for health information. Forms are on the patient forms page.

Start with a coverage check for The Fischer or BD® PureWick®, or call (800) 525-3467 and we will take it from there.

Doctors can fax completed forms to (818) 775-2941. We accept debit and credit cards, and our insurance team handles prior authorization and claims.

With insurance, what you pay depends on your plan, deductible, and co-pay. Many patients pay nothing out of pocket.

Without insurance, The Fischer is a one-time cost with no consumables or replacement electrodes. Financing is available through Affirm, including 0% APR for qualified applicants, and prequalification takes a few minutes without affecting your credit score.

We usually ship the same or next day, with delivery in three to five business days depending on where you are. We ship via UPS, USPS, or FedEx, and expedited options are available.

Orders placed by 4:00pm Pacific go out the same day where possible.

Yes, via USPS or UPS Global services, with expedited options in some countries.

Customs fees and import taxes are not included in the shipping cost. They depend on the destination country and are the patient’s responsibility.

Supplies for AR Hinkel and RA Fischer electrolysis machines are available at ARHinkel.com (opens in a new tab).