More cost-effective to rent vs. buy CPAP?

Does anyone have any experience with outright buying a CPAP vs. renting? My insurance made me rent for 3 months before they will allow me to buy it. I've asked the insurance co. and the DME if it's more cost effective to buy vs. rent to buy, and I can't get a straight answer. My sleep doc said they know the answer, and just won't tell me because it's more $$ out of their pocket.

How can I get more information? My third month is up in two weeks.

My DME is receiving from Medicare $113.85/mo for 13 months in rental and you can buy the same machine and humidifier new, for under $500. No, IMHO renting is NOT cost effective.

The Texan wrote:My DME is receiving from Medicare $113.85/mo for 13 months in rental and you can buy the same machine and humidifier new, for under $500. No, IMHO renting is NOT cost effective.

I agree with you Texan. But, either way, rent or buy, if you have to do it through an "insurance company" there is a rather significant markup because of the DME. Yet another way to drive up the cost of medicine.

I think "cost effective" is relative to what kind of insurance coverage you have. If your insurance pays for everything, then it really doesn't matter.

I have 50% copay for durable medical equipment if I buy from an in-plan DME. Well an in-plan DME jacks the prices up so high that my 50% copay is MORE than what it would cost me to just buy out of pocket from cpap.com.

I recently bought an Intellipap, heated humidifier, and Smartlink module with software. My in-plan DME would get $1254 for the machine and humidifier. I would be responsible for $627. Now add in the software. My insurance won't pay for ANY of it because they say it's not medically necessary. The DME quotes me $329.99 for teh Smartlink module and software. So my out of pocket would have been $956.99 and the DME would have about $1583 in his pocket.

I got everything from cpap.com for $634 and that included overnight shipping. I swear it's not the health care system that needs an overhaul. It's the damned MEDICAL INSURANCE system that needs an immediate castration.

Medical Insurance companies are leaches on society. We will never have decent health care as long as it's managed by private insurance.

Georgio wrote:Medical Insurance companies are leaches on society. We will never have decent health care as long as it's managed by private insurance.

Aye, but I'm concerned that government insurance would be even worse.

I haven't forgotten that a politician from Texas outlawed evening primrose oil in Texas for a time. I use EPO to prevent muscle spasms in my back. My alternative is codeine.

EPO was outlawed as an unsafe food additive. The food it was being added to? The gelatin capsule it came in! (The ruling was later rescinded, BUT....!)

Since no one will give you a straight answer, I will ... buy buy buy.

Now whether buying through insurance or out-of-pocket is more cost effective? That depends on your insurance plan.

What is your % copay amount?

What is your annual deductible? ... and how much of it have you met so far this year?

Dreamstalker is right. What are the specifics of your insurance plan?

I have insurance, but with a high deductible. For me, getting my equipment online through CPAP.com was cheaper than going through the DME with my insurance company. I also avoided the DME dance and got exactly what equipment I wanted.

Lisa

Don't rent, buy your own.

I recommend cpapauction.com. There's one there now for $150 (latest bid). And its a new m series with c-flex, a very good one.

Or, if you don't want to bid, you could get a new m series with a flex at this site for $586.
http://www.bestcpapprice.com/Respironic ... 0-256.html

talktobon wrote:...they know the answer, and just won't tell me because it's more $$ out of their pocket.

Seems to me your doc's statement DID tell you. If the DME is taking the option that makes them the most money, it's the most expensive for you.

I never got into that insurance/DME situation. I purchased all of my stuff outright from CPAP.COM and then submitted a bill to my insurance provider......for which they reimbursed me 80%......which saved both of us money.

"DO THE MATH"......but, I would suggest getting your insurance to do a buyout as soon as possible, since you're already into the monthly payment deal. The monthly payments seem to inflate the costs even more.
You've probably already purchased the humidifier because they can't be resold by the DME.

Den

talktobon wrote:Does anyone have any experience with outright buying a CPAP vs. renting? My insurance made me rent for 3 months before they will allow me to buy it. I've asked the insurance co. and the DME if it's more cost effective to buy vs. rent to buy, and I can't get a straight answer. My sleep doc said they know the answer, and just won't tell me because it's more $$ out of their pocket.

How can I get more information? My third month is up in two weeks.

I rented for 1 month and actually changed machine during that time. After speaking to a blue cross blue shield rep who was actually a CPAP user herself I changed to purchase as soon as i could because the sooner i purchase the sooner i can get a newer machine in 3 years time (and get onto APAP). If i rent to buy for 14 months then i have the same machine for 4 year 2 months.

DME charged insurance $1396 for my CPAP and $377 for the humidifier. i could have gotten both on cpap.com for $659.