Getting the run around with my equipment provider? Costs?

~Was 'assigned' a BPAP machine and it did not work for me.

~Did not use it the necessary amount of time (4 hours a day) but was told that, because I have BCBS, I didn't have to worry about paying anything.

~Went to the doctor and he said I needed the pressure raised, weeks went by and *bunch of back and forth* finally the equipment providers called me.

~ They said that they messed up and couldn't raise the pressure with my current machine, I'd have to wait for the new one to arrive (about 3 weeks), and to just ignore the bill collectors until my balance 'cycled out'. I was assured that I wouldn't owe anything on the current machine.

~ 4 weeks have passed and I'm calling them and they seem to have forgotten everything about me. "Let me ask _____ and we'll call you this afternoon" No call. This has happened before. Many times.

~ Next day, "Oh, let me put you on hold" *phone disconnects* I call right back (twice) and am put through immediately to answering service.

~ I know from experience that they will not call me. And, now I'm afraid that I'll owe thousands of dollars!

~ The last 2-3 months, I have lost about 20+ pounds and do not seem to be suffering from sleep apnea anymore. Am ready to scrap the whole thing.


QUESTION: What should I do? Turn in machine? Call Blue Cross Blue Shield? Just keep waiting?
My main concern is that I will be billed the full amount for a machine that is of no use to me.


Thank you.

I_AM_NOT_AN_ANIMAL wrote:~Was 'assigned' a BPAP machine and it did not work for me.

~Did not use it the necessary amount of time (4 hours a day) but was told that, because I have BCBS, I didn't have to worry about paying anything.

~Went to the doctor and he said I needed the pressure raised, weeks went by and *bunch of back and forth* finally the equipment providers called me.

~ They said that they messed up and couldn't raise the pressure with my current machine, I'd have to wait for the new one to arrive (about 3 weeks), and to just ignore the bill collectors until my balance 'cycled out'. I was assured that I wouldn't owe anything on the current machine.

~ 4 weeks has passed and I'm calling them and they seem to have forgotten everything about me. "Let me ask _____ and we'll call you this afternoon" No call. This has happened before. Many times.

~ Next day, "Oh, let me put you on hold" *phone disconnects* I call right back (twice) and am put through immediately to answering service.

~ I know from experience that they will not call me. And, now I'm afraid that I'll owe thousands of dollars!

~ The last 2-3 months, I have lost about 20+ pounds and do not seem to be suffering from sleep apnea anymore. Am ready to scrap the whole thing.


QUESTION: What should I do? Turn in machine? Call Blue Cross Blue Shield? Just keep waiting?
My main concern is that I will be billed the full amount for a machine that is of no use to me.


Thank you.

I don't understand that first part. How did it not work for you?
Did you even try?
How many hours did you put on the machine?

If you didn't use it the required amount of time, why would you NOT have to pay for it? Maybe you should read your agreement with the DME (equipment provider) company. You may be in for a VERY BAD SHOCK to your wallet, credit card or legal ramifications. I predict you're going to experience some very harsh legal difficulties........SOON!

Obviously, they have caller ID and your name/reputation is........ummmmm........not good.

Why aren't you using the friggin' machine???
It was prescribed to you for a reason.
Just because you've lost some weight doesn't mean your sleep apnea has gone away or diminished.


Den

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I didn't wear it because I kept feeling like I was suffocating.

They assured me, when I went to turn in the machine that I owed nothing, but should hold on to the machine until the new one arrived.

This was close to a month ago. Now they're acting fishy. Not returning my calls. Claiming they have no record of ordering a new machine.

Etc. All the things I relayed to you in the first post. I may owe thousands. But, I'm not sure what else I could've done. They told me to wait.

They told me not to turn the machine in right then, even though I (supposedly) owed nothing. Anyways, what to do now. Is the question.


Thanks for the response.

I_AM_NOT_AN_ANIMAL wrote:I didn't wear it because I kept feeling like I was suffocating.

They assured me, when I went to turn in the machine that I owed nothing, but should hold on to the machine until the new one arrived.

This was close to a month ago. Now they're acting fishy. Not returning my calls. Claiming they have no record of ordering a new machine.

Etc. All the things I relayed to you in the first post. I may owe thousands. But, I'm not sure what else I could've done. They told me to wait.

They told me not to turn the machine in right then, even though I (supposedly) owed nothing. Anyways, what to do now. Is the question.


Thanks for the response.

Your machine was probably set up "incorrectly" for YOU. There are settings that can cause or alleviate the "suffocating" feeling.
We help people (constantly) to learn how to adjust their machines all the time. Did you take up those "suffocating" issues with the equipment supplier or did you just say "screw it, I'm not even going to try."?

And, regarding those things "they told me", "they assured me".........if their lips were moving, you should have been suspicious. They're in business to make/collect money.

Get out the contractual agreement with them you would have signed and read it.
Also, contact your insurance provider and try to find out how deep in "do-do" you are.

Get the setup/clinical manual for the machine you have and learn to tweak your machine.
You're only making things worse for yourself.

USE IT!!!


Den

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Thanks for your calm understanding.

it is time for YOU to take control of your therapy ... 1. use the machine.... 2. get sleepyhead software .... 3. post some reports from sleepyhead ...4. ask for advice and help from member here!

If you are getting nowhere, call and insist on the manager. If you can't get the manager, go there physically and bring your machine with you. Demand that they replace your machine with one that works or provide proof of refund to your insurance company so that you can go elsewhere for a machine. Call your insurance company and explain that they gave you a broken machine and refuse to replace it, so you want to return it and get proof of return so you are not billed later.

If you needed a bipap, you are not cured. But if you don't want to use a machine then that's your problem, I'm not going to make you.

I_AM_NOT_AN_ANIMAL wrote:Thanks for your calm understanding.

I'm going to take your remark as being facetious and sarcastic.
Actually, I'm quite "calm" because it wasn't ME who screwed up my therapy.
I'm trying to prepare you for some stark reality which will most assuredly occur from your lack of seriousness about a therapy which was prescribed to you. In all probability, you're going to realize that trying to use the machine would have been a "picnic" compared to what you may experience in the near future.

We'll be glad to help you tweak your therapy if you finally decide to get it together and use it.

These forum pages have numerous examples of people who didn't take their therapy seriously and suffered the consequences.........legally and health-wise.

Your call......


Den

.

Sounds like his DME is Apria....

LSAT wrote:Sounds like his DME is Apria....

Don't know, but he's been looking for excuses since he started.......

viewtopic/t108196/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1 ... 91#p996991


Den

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~ They said that they messed up and couldn't raise the pressure with my current machine

Hang on everyone who is getting on the Animal's case. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt. I smell a DME rat here. The key words are "couldn't raise the pressure with my current machine". IF this is an accurate statement, I'm guessing the DME did not give OP a BiPAP in the first place. Or something else is fishy with the machine.

Animal, will you please do the following:
1 Remove the humidifier chamber.
2. turn the blower upside down and let us know the model number for your machine.
3. Tell us a few things:
a. What is the new prescribed pressure
b. Does your machine have a modem attached.
c. Do you have a copy of your prescription? What does it say? (get a copy if you don't already have it!)

PLEASE add your equipment to your signature. That helps us help you.

If you want to really get a DME's attention have their number handy and call BCBS and tell them how long you have been trying to get the prescribed machine and could use some help.

I did this and BCBS customer service called them while I was on the phone, got my machine the same day afterhours.

Thank you, PoolQ, I will definitely try that!