A bit of a rant

[ak-guy]

Earlier this year I wanted to get a new CPAP machine so I went to a clinic/supplier in my area. They said that yes my insurance would pay for a new machine and they would handle the paperwork. That sounded fine and I got the new machine, hose, humidifier etc. Recently I got a bill from that supplier for $680 which was my copay after my insurance paid their portion. The machine I got was a RESMED S9 Escape. The total price that the supplier charged was $3700. As most of you know I could have purchased everything myself for under $1000, submitted the paperwork myself to my insurance company and paid much less copay. I contacted the insurance company and they don't seem to care about this abuse of the system.

I was diagnosed with OSA about ten years ago and recently needed to go in for another sleep study, after getting the new machine in the spring. I am a licensed captain and the US Coast Guard wanted me to get another sleep study as my other one was ten years old. I went to another clinic, not the one I used to get the new machine. I did the study, the people were very nice until they learned that I wouldn't be needing a new machine as I had just gotten one. After that they were much less interested in me. It seems to be a conflict of interest that sleep clinics also sell equipment at incredibly inflated prices. I won't go so far as to say that sleep clinics are more prone to diagnose sleep apnea because they will benefit from selling equipment but I will say that selling equipment at hugely inflated prices should be illegal.

[chunkyfrog]

Knowledge is power. Spread the word.

[Goofproof]

Question, you have been on xpap treatment long enough to wear out a machine but you haven't found out how DME's operate??? You need to get your script and buy online even out of pocket is a better deal. Jim

[BlackSpinner]

RESMED S9 Escape

That is a lot of money for a brick that won't give you data worth anything.

[Todzo]

I think your local insurance commissioners, the Federal trade commission, your local congressmen, and the many consumer watch dogs should all be informed. We all pay for this kind of abuse. You would do us a favor.

Thanks!

Todzo

[Scooter32]

Insurers shouldn't make you have to go through a DME who pad their charges. I would think your insurance wouldn't have paid those crazy prices in the first place though!

[Sir NoddinOff]

It breaks my heart to hear these stories, especially from someone who served their country for as long as you did. Medical disgrace is too mild a term.

[49er]

Ak-guy, my heart also breaks in reading your story. I am not sure if it will do any good but have you considered trying to speak to a supervisor at your insurance company if you haven't done so already? If they won't listen, tell them you are going to contact the state insurance agency that regulates them.

When I felt an insurance company was ripping me off financially, I threatened to do that and it worked. Of course, every situation is different but since you are a veteran, you might have more influence.

I also might consider contacting your congressman and senator about this abuse.

To address your other point, yes sleep centers do care more about money than the patient generally. As one who doesn't have health insurance, I felt that way about sleep doctor number one and two since I didn't purchase anything from them. It is disgraceful.

But finally, the issue of you not being able to get data from your Escape is going to greatly hinder your treatment although obviously having a machine is better than nothing having one. When did you obtain it?

49er

Earlier this year I wanted to get a new CPAP machine so I went to a clinic/supplier in my area. They said that yes my insurance would pay for a new machine and they would handle the paperwork. That sounded fine and I got the new machine, hose, humidifier etc. Recently I got a bill from that supplier for $680 which was my copay after my insurance paid their portion. The machine I got was a RESMED S9 Escape. The total price that the supplier charged was $3700. As most of you know I could have purchased everything myself for under $1000, submitted the paperwork myself to my insurance company and paid much less copay. I contacted the insurance company and they don't seem to care about this abuse of the system.

I was diagnosed with OSA about ten years ago and recently needed to go in for another sleep study, after getting the new machine in the spring. I am a licensed captain and the US Coast Guard wanted me to get another sleep study as my other one was ten years old. I went to another clinic, not the one I used to get the new machine. I did the study, the people were very nice until they learned that I wouldn't be needing a new machine as I had just gotten one. After that they were much less interested in me. It seems to be a conflict of interest that sleep clinics also sell equipment at incredibly inflated prices. I won't go so far as to say that sleep clinics are more prone to diagnose sleep apnea because they will benefit from selling equipment but I will say that selling equipment at hugely inflated prices should be illegal.