Apria Problem again!

[PacificaSue]

On Monday Sept 1, 2008 we had a house fire. Of course since it was a holiday I had to wait until Tuesday to call, I get Apria and they say that since I rented the machine I could get a new one ( $1250 for rental?) but they could not give me a mask. I call Kaiser and they ordered a new fitting for me ( I was not aware that they asked for that.) Had to wait another day and Apria called to say they mailed a tube but no mask. I called again and they said I could come in a week or so for a fitting. I explained that I had a fire and could not use the machine or mask or anything I had so they decided that they could give me the mask I already had. I said I would be in that day and at first they said they had no mask available. I was frustrated and asked them to check and call me back. At 5:10 PM I called again and yes they found one. I drove over and the desk person takes my old humidifier and starts to put it on the new machine. I explain again about the fire so they say they had no idea I had a humidifier. I asked them if they had a computer! Obviously they know what I have since I had to pay the copay to them when I BOUGHT it all. They go get one, give me a mask and I look at the stuff and I ask where the tube is . They do not want to give one to me because they mailed one to me!! I pay for this- Kaiser pays double for all equipment from them and they act like I am bothering them! I got everything after about the usual 45 minutes I have to be there. They called the next day to say that they were mailing my mask! Unfortunately my husband told them I already picked it up. They are more than stupid.

[Snoredog]

Those people are ridiculous. It is why I only buy from cpap.com, I bet if I called them they would have sent a set up over night if wanted.

For $1250, you could have bought the top of the line autopap and gotten the software and mask. You would be better off setting up a savings account at work and just buying your supplies outright. Get a copy of your prescription from Kaiser doctor and you can order your own supplies.

[CorgiGirl]

I'm sorry you are having so many problems getting your machine replaced. It reminds me of the dealings we have had with Lincare up here. Apria in Tacoma has been good for us, but so much depends on the people employed at each branch. If you can switch providers, maybe that would help.

Hang in there. There is life after a fire, it just doesn't feel like it for a while.

[Patrick A]

Sue
I see by your post you are in Pacifica.......Well I'm in SoCal.....Mexifornia as I call it. Apria Sucks I had to deal with them.
I bought my last two Machines from Cpap.com.
Sorry you are having the same problems most people have with Apria Ripoff as I call them.
Pat

[GTOJim]

Sue

I'm sorry to hear about your fire, it's bad enough dealing with that without having to put up with Apria. You getting a double dose of troubles.

I hate Apria but it's the only DME my insurance will let me use. I feel your pain. My blood pressure goes up every time I deal with Apria.

My last few orders Apria insists I have a 20% co-pay. I have to go round and round with them because my insurance pays 100% for CPAP supplies. I've been using Aprea for 5 years and each and every time I have to deal with Aperia it has been a very unpleasant experience. Sometimes I get so frustrated with Apria I just pay for supplies out of my own pocket. I order from CPAP.com, they are always great to deal with.

[BoomersRock]

My husband had Apria and I had North Atlantic. He disliked Apria and based on my experience with North Atlantic, was able to move to them.

In 2007 we both bought new machines but didn't realize that our BCBS HMO had a lower limit of $1500 for the year. If you do a new machine (monthly rental) plus supplies (we tend to do them quarterly-mask, hose, filters, perhaps humidifier chamber) in order to have good backups. Well, we topped out that $1500 very quickly! I also became aware of buying new equipment directly through CPAP.com at that time. Not sure if you could purchase it yourself and then submit the cost to insurance which would make that $1500 last longer. Or time the purchase between two fiscal years.

Has anyone done this? Purchase outright then submitted to insurance company?

[bdp522]

Has anyone done this? Purchase outright then submitted to insurance company?

Yep, it's been done. Some insurances allow this and some don't. You'll need to check with your insurance co to find out their policy.

Brenda

[Guest]

Pacifica - it's a shame you obviously had to deal with a MORON that has no idea what it's like to use CPAP. The best thing is to document your experience with as much detail as you can. Then send a copy to Apria main office and to Respironics as well who will forward it to the salesperson in that area.

[PacificaSue]

Thanks everyone. I think it helped to vent to people who understand. I tried to tell the woman that there was a reason for the machine and probably exaggerating a bit I told her I could die without it. She could have cared less. Kaiser told me I had to use Apria but I think if I can prove that they would save money ( I know that I could)maybe I can use CPAP.com from now on. Thanks all for your support.

[Wulfman]

Has anyone done this? Purchase outright then submitted to insurance company?

Yep, it's been done. Some insurances allow this and some don't. You'll need to check with your insurance co to find out their policy.

Brenda

Worked for me. My insurance provider considers me to be "in-network" and through prior phone arrangements, they agreed to reimburse me for my purchase from CPAP.COM. I ordered my equipment and charged it to my credit card. Then, I created an invoice with myself as the billing party and with them as the party being billed. I essentially duplicated the invoice that I received from CPAP.COM as it had all the insurance billing codes in it. I sent it to them and they reimbursed me for 80% of it (except for the software and card reader)......which is their standard DME reimbursement. I also sent them a copy of my invoice just to show them that the amounts of the items were FOR REAL. They also reimburse for other out-of-pocket medical expenses if you fill out their forms and submit them......or at least apply them towards the deductible. We do this with the bills from my wife's chiropractor......which she pays for whenever she has to go.......and then we submit them to my insurance provider sometime during the year after they accumulate.

Den

[BoomersRock]

Great feedback; thanks! I broached the idea of an auto cpap to replace my 19 mos old cpap to my doctor. I will see what happens with the new pressures. I am leaning towards getting the software to monitor what is happening first prior to that.