Update II: Someone (DME?) is Lying to Me...

[ThomasMcKean]

How do I get to the truth?

When the machine broke, the DME gave me a loaner with no humidifier. I had to go to the dr's office to get her to give me one.

She told me the reason she didn't give me one is because even though it is listed on the prescription, it does not apply to loaners on account of that the humidifiers are "single use only" (I have heard that before?) and so by giving me the humidifier, she was, she said, being overly nice and kind to me.

Is this true? Is the DME allowed to not give yew a loaner humidifier even if it is on the prescription, or is she just following a money trail?

How can I find out?

She also told me that since it was a loaner and single use, my insurance would not cover the cost. Is Medicare really like that?

[cowlypso]

Might depend specifically on the model.

I do know, though, that most humidifiers are NOT single-use only. At my sleep study in the lab, the machine had a humidifier. Most humidifiers and be adequately cleaned and sterilized between patients, and come with instructions for doing so (masks, too!).

But I'd say, more than likely, your DME is a little bit confused about the truth.

[Alshain]

I have to agree for logical reasons alone. Humidifiers are a hard plastic, which does not typically come into contact with bio hazardous material. It should be easily cleanable. Even if they think that your breathing into it... the very nature of the cpap would prevent outgoing CO2 from traveling all the way up to the humidifier. Sounds like hogwash to me.

[nanwilson]

I bought a used one from one of the members here and it was as clean as a whistle. I have been using it ever since....soooooo..... what she told you is a load of horse puckies. Its all about the $$$$$$$$$$. If it were me I would call the insurance company for a straight answer. Write down exactly what they say and then confront the DME with it.

[ThomasMcKean]

I bought a used one from one of the members here and it was as clean as a whistle. I have been using it ever since....soooooo..... what she told you is a load of horse puckies. Its all about the $$$$$$$$$$. If it were me I would call the insurance company for a straight answer. Write down exactly what they say and then confront the DME with it.

Yeah see I tried that. She told me the insurance company is lying. Mind yew, she did that without even knowing who they are or checking the policy, which of course can make one very suspect!

[DoriC]

I'm not sure about loaners but I do know that our machine was on rental for 13mos(Medicare) but the humidifier was considered a straight purchase and paid outright by insurance.

[Janknitz]

Kaiser does home titrations with loaner machines, but no humidifier because they claim that they are too hard to clean. I don't see the problem with cleaning them, personally, it just takes time. But I think that's why many consider them "single use items".

As for "the money trail", Medicare purchases humidifier units, they are not a rental. Many insurers follow Medicare guidelines, so it may be that since the DME doesn't expecte the insurance to pay for a humidifier it's not going to provide it. Not worth their time to clean or to bill you to try to get you to pay full price for it.

[DMEmomma]

He's the scoop.....most humidifiers are purchased out of the gate, therefore most DME's do not have used humidifiers sitting around for loaner use. Secondly, do you really want to use a water chamber that someone else used without being properly sanitized?

[ThomasMcKean]

He's the scoop.....most humidifiers are purchased out of the gate, therefore most DME's do not have used humidifiers sitting around for loaner use. Secondly, do you really want to use a water chamber that someone else used without being properly sanitized?

Cuz it is the only way I can sleep? As I said before, this whole thing has shown me the importance of having a backup. It just a whole lot higher on my list of priorities.

[ThomasMcKean]

Kaiser does home titrations with loaner machines, but no humidifier because they claim that they are too hard to clean. I don't see the problem with cleaning them, personally, it just takes time. But I think that's why many consider them "single use items".

As for "the money trail", Medicare purchases humidifier units, they are not a rental. Many insurers follow Medicare guidelines, so it may be that since the DME doesn't expecte the insurance to pay for a humidifier it's not going to provide it. Not worth their time to clean or to bill you to try to get you to pay full price for it.

If I am reading this correctly, yew are saying that the CPAP half is rented, but I own the humidifier half?

[DMEmomma]

you're right....you own the humidifier....PAP is rented.

[DMEmomma]

how old is your machine??? how did it break?

[ThomasMcKean]

how old is your machine??? how did it break?

Two years old. I put it on one night and it didn't blow no more.

[The Texan]

My DME provided a loaner WITH a humidifier for the 4-6 weeks my machine was back for warranty replacement. In my case, without a humidifier, I get nose bleeds within 3 nights. Your DME is cheap, nothing more.

[ThomasMcKean]

My DME provided a loaner WITH a humidifier for the 4-6 weeks my machine was back for warranty replacement. In my case, without a humidifier, I get nose bleeds within 3 nights. Your DME is cheap, nothing more.

That is sorta how I feel my investigation turned out today. I was here and elsewhere and what I have concluded is what while she was apparently within her rights to deny me the humidifier, it was overall a very low and uncaring thing for her to do.