Lincare Sending Stuff

My DME (J&L) was acquired by Lincare. Last week I got a box of stuff from Lincare. It contains a mask, additional cushion for the mask, CPAP filters, climate air tube for CPAP etc. They billed $541 to my insurance for all these. I did not order any of these. I have a high deductible insurance, this just get added to my deductible anyway. I called a company called Carecentrix, the label says they sent it. They say they are working for my insurance and they sent it on Lincare's request. They say, according to Lincare, my doctor has ordered them for me. My doctor does not know even which mask I use. The mask they sent was the last one I got, but it leaks a lot. That last mask is on my shelf brand new. My current hose works just fine, don't need a new one. Called insurance and asked them not to process the claims. I could not call Lincare yet. I am calling them tomorrow and requesting a postage paid return label to return.

My questions to the community is:
1. Did any of you encounter a similar situation and how did you handle it?
2. How can I find a better DME in Connecticut?
3. Should I report this to authorities as a scam?

Thanks,

atab

You are the customer..Tell them to stop sending supplies that you did not order. Call your insurance company and tell Lincare to TAKE IT BACK. Then ask your insurance company who else is in network or buy your supplies from Amazon at about half the cost. If you have a high deductible and are paying out of pocket...you don't need a DME.

atab wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 16, 2019 7:08 pm

How can I find a better DME in Connecticut?

If you are paying out of pocket, buy from internet suppliers. They are cheaper. Members here can help you find good deals - then you learn to do it yourself.

In my experience, hoses and masks last a very long time. In a year's time, I don't spend much money on them.

atab wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 16, 2019 7:08 pm

Should I report this to authorities as a scam?

Don't waste your time. Nothing will come of it. Just don't you participate in this nonsense.

Maybe somewhere deep in the bowels of whatever your contract was with J & L the DME there is a little mention about "auto ship" and you probably agreed to it without realizing it.

When LinCare acquired J & L...they either spotted the auto ship okay or just made it up and hoped you wouldn't notice because they wanted to turn on the cash cow.

If you report it as a scam...they will just turn around and say that you agreed to auto shipment of supplies and you will have a hard time proving you didn't agree to it because they have all the paperwork...and I bet you don't.

Just make it crystal clear that you aren't accepting this shipment and you won't pay for it and they had better take you off any future auto ship lists...or else you will consider anything they send as a gift.

Classic DME behavior.

Not long after receiving my CPAP machine Healthline DME in Dallas did the same to me. I received a box with enough masks, hoses, filters, etc. to last YEARS. I do have good insurance with minimal deductable but the DME's obvious abuse of it was very irritating.

When speaking with Healthline's accounting department about the inflated invoice cost and the volume of products sent, they angrily said, "Why do you even care? Your insurance pays for it!"

I returned most of the supplies for credit back to the insuror and complained to the DME management. Damned if they didn't do exactly the same thing 6 months later! I complained directly to the insuror and it hasn't happened again.

Since those episodes I buy my all supplies online from CPAP.COM who hosts this forum - they provide consistently good prices and great service.

If you are on Medicare, and this happens---
CALL MEDICARE.
Autoship is not tolerated by Medicare.
They may even consider it CRIMINAL.
I know I do.

Thank you very much for all the suggestions. It is nice to have a forum like this where we can get different inputs.

I called Lincare and asked for a return form. I will call them later, after this episode, and try to cancel any auto shipping. I also have to order a mask, but I don't want to confuse the situation.

My insurance deductible is $2500. Last year I exceeded that. It is likely I exceed that this year too. That is why I don't order from the host's web site. I agree they are cheaper than most DMEs. They are also convenient.

This Auto Shopping is close to insurance fraud. I will later try to find out the relevant authorities in state and do an official complaint. I had very efficient and effective results when I called state DPUC (Department of Public Utility Control) some years ago.

atab

The autoshipping IS insurance fraud, unless you asked for it.

I would contact your insurer (Carecentrix is a middleman, not your actual insurance provider) and complain IN WRITING. Cc to Carecentrix and to Lincare.

If your primary insurance is Medicare, you can make a fraud claim.

Read This....................
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0 ... erchandise

Sigh, Lincare is terrible.

I had a sleep study and everything done. Lincare took 4-5 months from the time of prescription to CPAP schedule. I called weekly and always got one hell of a run around with them. The week before my trial CPAP was finally to be delivered I started a new job and was going to have new insurance. I couldn't get any solid answers from them as to if they worked with my new insurance and everyone there was just unbelievably rude. So I just canceled the appointment and got my own damn CPAP from craigslist.