what the...? $399 online vs. $2500 from doc?

lvehko · Post by **lvehko** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:51 pm

I was browsing around cpap.com, comparing the cost of the S8 escape to the S8 elite, because I think I'd like to upgrad to the elite so I can get efficacy data. Cpap.com lists the S8 escape at $399.00, but I'm paying my doctor $2500.00 for it. What the hell is going on?!?!

M.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:53 pm

sleep medicine is a racket and a ripoff and we wonder why our medical premiums are so high and keep going up.

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:58 pm

Are you sure you're paying your doctor for it? More likely the DME?

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:04 pm

minerva,

Thanks why this forum has nearly 10,000 members... and why many folks (especially the ones without insurance) are very grateful for finding cpap.com

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:37 pm

wading thru the muck! wrote:minerva,

Thanks why this forum has nearly 10,000 members... and why many folks (especially the ones without insurance) are very grateful for finding cpap.com

ALSO, the ones who want to save their insurance providers and themselves some money. Every little bit helps.
The insurance system (including Medicare) is a big "cash cow" for the medical industry......and they're sucking it out of our wallets, checkbooks, payroll deductions, etc.
They also use that money (OUR MONEY) to lobby OUR representatives in Congress!

Den

lvehko · Post by **lvehko** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:50 pm

So who here is using "bill my insurance" thru cpap.com?

I went to a sleep center in my city that is run by a couple of doctors who also supply equipment, so I guess they are also my "DME." I'm due for my first follow-up with the doc on Tuesday, at which I'm going to request a S8 Elite to replace my Escape, so that I can get daily efficacy data. Since I've gone thru so many masks, I want to make sure I'm still getting good results. I'm going to appear in his office a completely different person -- I've changed from someone who knew NOTHING about apnea to someone who now maybe knows too much -- I'm a little bit nervous, oddly. I'm hoping he doesn't turn out to be one of those people who doesn't like his patients being too self-directed, but if he does, that's gonna be a problem, because I'm one of those people who has to know and have control of EVERYTHING.

BMI will take my insurance, but I'm kind of wary of doing something that personal over the internet.

Min

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:50 pm

There are lots of threads on this problem.

I have a Remstar Auto, and am being charged about double what I could buy for cash at Cpap.com - $709

Only trouble is my insurance won't deal with Cpap.com and so if I want to use insurance (total copay with insurance is $280ish) I have to let the DME charge the insurance all that extra unless I want to foot the whole bill.

While it burns me to let the insurance pay way too much, I feel that since they won't listen to me and save themselves some money, I might as well pay less myself and save the $429.

Crazy isn't it?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:14 pm

minerva wrote:BMI will take my insurance, but I'm kind of wary of doing something that personal over the internet.

Min

Minerva, you are soooooo in luck, that BMI will work with your insurance!! BillMyInsurance is owned by the owners of cpap.com...the sponsors of this message board. I wouldn't hesitate an instant to deal with BMI over the internet! You'd get to choose exactly what machine you want...the setup instructions would come with it...none of the aggravation of having a traditional DME try to tell you what you can and can't have, yadda, yadda.

And while you're getting to pick what you want at BMI, I'd pick the M series Respironics Auto with C-Flex if you need something small; or the Respironics REMstar Auto with C-flex. I'd skip ResMed machines completely, considering what ResMed intends to do to the good internet cpap supply stores in Sept. But that's just me.

Besides, the Respironics autopaps (either size) are very good machines. And the Encore Pro software they use is much better (imho) than the Autoscan software used by ResMed.

Not that I'm trying to sway you, or anything!

MaskedMechanic · Post by **MaskedMechanic** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:39 pm

Don't worry. Resmed is working right now to fix this problem. It is not the doctor that is at fault. It is cpap.com and all the other internet sellers. They are selling products and services at prices that are lower that your doctor offers. Resmed will STOP this unfair pricing on September 4, 2006. Then all will be well.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:21 am

[quote="MaskedMechanic"]Don't worry. Resmed is working right now to fix this problem. It is not the doctor that is at fault. It is cpap.com and all the other internet sellers. They are selling products and services at prices that are lower that your doctor offers. Resmed will STOP this unfair pricing on September 4, 2006. Then all will be well.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:26 am

The one thing that supprised me though is when you go through billmyinsurance.com they charge the same rate the dme company did! I was told it's because it's how the insurance works, but that whoever sends the bill in gets that set rate. So if you have an amount you have to pay that won't change unfortunately.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:27 am

This is why Resmed is on the attack against online dealers.

What does one need to order from billmyinsurance.com ? Just a script from the Doctor with the XPAP brand mentioned? Does the insurance company always agree to pay or do some insist you go through their list of DME's? Is their any risk of ending up with the bill?

lvehko · Post by **lvehko** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:06 am

Fortunately, my DME is willing to swap out my Escape for an Elite, so I can monitor my efficacy settings. But man, this insurance thing is SUCH a scam!

M.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:12 am

MaskedMechanic wrote:Don't worry. Resmed is working right now to fix this problem. It is not the doctor that is at fault. It is cpap.com and all the other internet sellers. They are selling products and services at prices that are lower that your doctor offers. Resmed will STOP this unfair pricing on September 4, 2006. Then all will be well.

And if you believe THAT, I've got some ocean-front property for sale in Wyoming......

Den

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:14 am

Really??? Does it have protected deep-water anchorage or beach rights????

Chuck

Mask

Additional Comments: Started CPAP June 14, 2006, pressure set at 8.0

what the...? $399 online vs. $2500 from doc?

what the...? $399 online vs. $2500 from doc?

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