I'm new on cpap, I read posts about people not being happy with there machines and return them, are these purchased from dme's thru there insurance companys,or out right purchases, mine was from a dme and choices were never mentioned to me, or maybe my Dr recomended the equipment i recieved. Any ideas cause from reading these posts I will need other choices eventually.
Thanks Hurricane
Returning Machines
8 posts
• Page 1 of 1
-
Guest
If you don't ask you most likely won't be asked. Docs and DMEs think for the most part we will do what they tell us.
Maybe they are right. I have no data to support this one way or the other. But many many people finding this forum come AFTER they accept what the Doc or DME gave.
You I see have a Plus machine. Cheapest option for DME to give you and collect the same Insurance reimbursement as they would have gotten if they had supplied a Pro2 or Auto.
I am glad you found this forum and you can now participate in any future procurement of medical supplies.
Many people return things when they are rent to own. I don't know about returning a straight purchase since I didn't make one (had to rent to own due to my insurance so I didn't ask). But if people are still in the rental period (usually 3 months but can be longer) it is just that, a rental period, and with a rental you can "stop renting". It is usually in the DMEs interest to change the machine to try to keep the rental stream $$$ coming in and make that final sale at the lovely local DME inflated price. So you will find DMEs willing to swap out machines. I don't know what happens to all those "used" machines. Maybe they end up on Yahoo auctions??
You don't say how long you have had your machine and if it is a straight purchase or are still in the rental stage. I am curious.
As for ideas. Consider looking at CPAP.coms product comparison charts. You can see easily what the differences are between any machines. These could include exhale relief, data collection, auto titration, ability to automatically adjust to altitude, size, can it run off DC current, etc etc....
To make an informed decision you need to look at the specs of all the machines, and see what people are saying here. Consider what is important to you in terms of features, and any other issues (for example right now there is a discussion on M series water leakage. I personally am quite happy with the slightly larger "tank" model and it I have no interest in watching my machine for leaks. So I would and will choose another of the older model.)
Maybe they are right. I have no data to support this one way or the other. But many many people finding this forum come AFTER they accept what the Doc or DME gave.
You I see have a Plus machine. Cheapest option for DME to give you and collect the same Insurance reimbursement as they would have gotten if they had supplied a Pro2 or Auto.
I am glad you found this forum and you can now participate in any future procurement of medical supplies.
Many people return things when they are rent to own. I don't know about returning a straight purchase since I didn't make one (had to rent to own due to my insurance so I didn't ask). But if people are still in the rental period (usually 3 months but can be longer) it is just that, a rental period, and with a rental you can "stop renting". It is usually in the DMEs interest to change the machine to try to keep the rental stream $$$ coming in and make that final sale at the lovely local DME inflated price. So you will find DMEs willing to swap out machines. I don't know what happens to all those "used" machines. Maybe they end up on Yahoo auctions??
You don't say how long you have had your machine and if it is a straight purchase or are still in the rental stage. I am curious.
As for ideas. Consider looking at CPAP.coms product comparison charts. You can see easily what the differences are between any machines. These could include exhale relief, data collection, auto titration, ability to automatically adjust to altitude, size, can it run off DC current, etc etc....
To make an informed decision you need to look at the specs of all the machines, and see what people are saying here. Consider what is important to you in terms of features, and any other issues (for example right now there is a discussion on M series water leakage. I personally am quite happy with the slightly larger "tank" model and it I have no interest in watching my machine for leaks. So I would and will choose another of the older model.)
Machine returns
Snoregirl you asked if I purchased my machine, no its rented, thats what was presented to me, didn't know about this site at the time, learning real Quick. LOL
Hurricane
Hurricane
Since it is a rental you have options. Step one is to see what your prescription is for. My guess is it just says CPAP... or CPAP with Cflex so the DME gave you what the doc ordered, and nothing more.
Step two is determine if you actually want anything more than what you have. Some are quite happy with the basic and going on how they feel others want the ability to look at their data. Others like me want even more.
At the very least you should have (since you have a Respironics machine) Cflex (and have it turned on so you can use it if you want) Big blue sticker on the machine shows if the machine actually has the feature. And an integrated heated humidifier.
Other than that it is your choice.
Also since you are renting and at the very beginning of the rental, I suggest you quickly run the numbers. For example how much will this machine cost you out of pocket. Total cost of the machine (insurance part and your copay) times the percent copay you owe. Go all the way until the machine is completely purchased.
Next question is when does your insurance year begin and will you meet all or some of your deductable through other medical issues. If you don't expect to meet your deductable for 2007 and your insurance year begins in Jan, you need to consider the portion of your deductable that you woudn't normally meet and add that to the out of your pocket cost of the machine. Since in 2007 you probably need to pay the full rental cost until you meet your deductable before insurance will kick in.
When you figure out all these numbers compare to the cost of buying online cash with no insurance to what you will be payinig the DME. Your machine costs either $375 or $414t to buy cash from CPAP.com depending of if it is a older model plus or an M series plus. Don't count the humidifier, hose, mask etc since you almost for sure already own these (check this out on your DME paperwork from the first visit where you took the equipment, usually humidifier is a straight purchase while the machine is a rental).
Make sure you aren't paying the DME more than $375 (older) or $414 (m series) in total out of your own pocket for the machine. If you are, you should consider giving them back their rental and buying your own machine online. If you are looking for a machine with more options the numbers will change slightly and a trade with the DME is required for that option to be used. If the DME doesn't want to change machines, and you want to, the act of returning a rental can help them see the light. Kind of like canceling a credit card..... WHy do you want to cancel this card, oh we can give you a card with no fee, or lower interest or bonus points... They want to keep your money...
If you have great insurance and the machine is costing less than a cash purchase and you are happy with that model, ignore everything I have said.
Step two is determine if you actually want anything more than what you have. Some are quite happy with the basic and going on how they feel others want the ability to look at their data. Others like me want even more.
At the very least you should have (since you have a Respironics machine) Cflex (and have it turned on so you can use it if you want) Big blue sticker on the machine shows if the machine actually has the feature. And an integrated heated humidifier.
Other than that it is your choice.
Also since you are renting and at the very beginning of the rental, I suggest you quickly run the numbers. For example how much will this machine cost you out of pocket. Total cost of the machine (insurance part and your copay) times the percent copay you owe. Go all the way until the machine is completely purchased.
Next question is when does your insurance year begin and will you meet all or some of your deductable through other medical issues. If you don't expect to meet your deductable for 2007 and your insurance year begins in Jan, you need to consider the portion of your deductable that you woudn't normally meet and add that to the out of your pocket cost of the machine. Since in 2007 you probably need to pay the full rental cost until you meet your deductable before insurance will kick in.
When you figure out all these numbers compare to the cost of buying online cash with no insurance to what you will be payinig the DME. Your machine costs either $375 or $414t to buy cash from CPAP.com depending of if it is a older model plus or an M series plus. Don't count the humidifier, hose, mask etc since you almost for sure already own these (check this out on your DME paperwork from the first visit where you took the equipment, usually humidifier is a straight purchase while the machine is a rental).
Make sure you aren't paying the DME more than $375 (older) or $414 (m series) in total out of your own pocket for the machine. If you are, you should consider giving them back their rental and buying your own machine online. If you are looking for a machine with more options the numbers will change slightly and a trade with the DME is required for that option to be used. If the DME doesn't want to change machines, and you want to, the act of returning a rental can help them see the light. Kind of like canceling a credit card..... WHy do you want to cancel this card, oh we can give you a card with no fee, or lower interest or bonus points... They want to keep your money...
If you have great insurance and the machine is costing less than a cash purchase and you are happy with that model, ignore everything I have said.
I switched from buying a RemStar M Plus CPAP with C-Flex to renting it and plan to buy the Auto M APAP with C-Flex. I tried to get the DME to change the humidifier from purchase to rental but they said that couldn't be done.
With this change to renting the CPAP I am just going to be out of pocket for $22 to the end of December 2006 as I had already met my $1,000 deductible. The only one getting scr*wed is HMO Blue who is paying $600 for the humidifier.
.
I have not yet had leakage problems with Respironics M humidifier but I was thinking of turning it in and getting a Fisher Paykel HC145.
Why will they switch on buying a CPAP to renting one but not for a humidifier? Should I call HMO Blue? (From other threads I think they do not care.)
With this change to renting the CPAP I am just going to be out of pocket for $22 to the end of December 2006 as I had already met my $1,000 deductible. The only one getting scr*wed is HMO Blue who is paying $600 for the humidifier.
.
I have not yet had leakage problems with Respironics M humidifier but I was thinking of turning it in and getting a Fisher Paykel HC145.
Why will they switch on buying a CPAP to renting one but not for a humidifier? Should I call HMO Blue? (From other threads I think they do not care.)
_________________
| Mask: Hans Rudolph 7600 Series V2 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
I think somewhere humidifiers are considered single patient use items hence the purchase outright. Seems silly since on my auto (not M) the only part of the humidifier that would be "contaminated is the water chamber and that can be replaced for $25. But that is how it is.
Keep the humidifier. I believe all the M series humidifiers are interchangable.
Keep the humidifier. I believe all the M series humidifiers are interchangable.
8 posts
• Page 1 of 1