Apria - How do they manage to stay in business?

[Paul B]

In the last couple of weeks, I called them twice and talked to two different people, one a customer service rep and the other a supervisor regarding ordering an Invacare Twilight NP( formerly Everest Aura).

Now, when you go to the Invacare web site and bring up this mask, it shows find a dealer, and displays a list of DME's to buy it through based on my zip code. Right there, it shows Apria in Redmond, Wa. which is my closest outlet. They tell me they'll go to the web site, check it out, and call me back with their ordering and delivery date.

Never hear from either one again. They could really care less. Sad, very sad.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME, Aura

[bdp522]

They stay in business because they contract the lowest prices with the insurance companies. Neither one cares about the treatment, just about the money.

Brenda

[Snoredog]

Paul B wrote:

Apria - How do they manage to stay in business?

there is a sucker born every minute?


...just kidding

[snoregirl]

I am also waiting on Apria. I called Tues before Thanksgiving and asked for a Hybrid.

They told me I needed a prescription. It has been 6 months, I know my insurance pays. I told them I have one, and why did they need it anyway.

They said they didn't know if they could get it. I told them I know people who have gotten it from Apria. They said I needed the prescription to tell them what to get. I said it just says Hybrid cpcp mask. They said we need to know what size. I said the box has all the sizes in it.

They said, maybe they don't need the prescription. I said fine. If you do I will fax it but I am telling you it only says Hybrid CPAP mask.

Ok, tomorrow is over a week. I will be calling for status.

The point of using them is that this is the last time I expect to get any insurance coverage as next year the new almost $700 deductable begins. So I now have a month to push on them.

Very sad service that I have to call again, when they were supposed to look into it and call back. I gave them a couple extra days due to the holiday but I think Tues, Wed, Mon, Tue is enough.

[neversleeps]

And to think a certain manufacturer has raised the prices internet customers must pay by over 40% to ensure we'll receive the same stellar service the brick and mortar DMEs provide. What a world.

[Patrick A]

They stay in business by ripping off the Govt. Employees and the contracts they have with insurance co.

[rhodesj5533]

I had a long wait for them also when I needed a new CPAP. They local staff were nice but the mix ups between DRs office, Insurance Co, and their office were awful.

[snoregirl]

Well have have a result. Apria never called me as promised, but when I called them they told me they were waiting for my copay. Gee wonder how hard that would have been to lift up the phone and call me?

Anyway as long as the stuff comes (and I don't know which headgear the Hybrid will come with old or new) my total copay for the mask, tube, and both types of filter was $22.85.

Too bad my insurance deductable is so high that I will not be able to use my insurance again in 6 months.

Now come to think of it I had better call back Apria and make sure the mask is being sent with headgear!! Yup complete kit. That seems cheap. If $20 of this order (out of $22.85) is for the mask that makes it aprox a $120 mask system at a 20% copay. Cheaper than online ($174). Now I am really baffled at their pricing scheme. Just goes to show it pays to check pricing. Cheaper through Apria with MY insurance than online even if copay hasn't been met.

Anyway, I can now joing the ranks of the people who either love or hate the Hybrid.

[Hosed All Night]

I have had nothing but horrible dealings with Apria. Apria in Connecticut is soooo bad on service my insurance company, ConnectiCare dropped them as a DME supplier due to numerous complaints. My sleep doctor refused to use them. It's the worst DME to deal with.... staffed with untrained employees that could care less about the clients. Apria is only interested in bilking money out of the insurance companies.

[Slinky]

I wonder if it is the local offices or the service being contracted for that makes the difference.

I had Apria for Total Parenteral Nutrition for 3 1/2 months a couple of years ago. Service and goods were delivered FAST, the pharmacist checked w/me personally by phone, sharing results of my blood draws, all information and paperwork was provided quickly w/one simple request at start of service. They were a pleasure to work with.

I was referred to them again last spring for another service and the staff was great, friendly, totally open w/information, quick to answer questions, if they didn't know the answer they got back to me quickly to tell me so or to share what they had found out. But it turned out that my insurance no longer contracted w/them and I was directed to three state-wide DMEs my insurance did contract with. I'm not impressed w/2 of the three. I haven't even bothered to check w/the third.

[laurie2025]

Well, it certainly isn't by word of mouth. They are awful here in IL also.

[lvwildcat]

I hate my DME but even worse Cigna has now contracted with Apria so now I'm in the Apria bunch. Yes-know what comes in the box with your mask and what you are entitled to receive. The only time I got a mask through my DME-a flexifit 431-they removed the small and large cushion because I didn't need them. I wasn't experienced to know(at the time) that I was entitled to receive them anyway. Just burns me up

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME

[snoregirl]

Just a comment to Hosed.

The sleep doc doesn't use the DME you the patient does. Makes no difference if the doc doesn't want you to use Apria or anyone else you go where you want. He can't stop you from taking your prescription to whatever DME you want.

This comment is by no means an endorsement of Apria, just needed to comment on your comment.

[laurie2025]

My insurance dictates which DME I can use, and they chose Apria. Lucky me.
I will be changing insurance during our next open enrollment!

[Patrick A]

I have sent enough complaints to my insurance co. about APRIA that the fraud division is investigating them. BCBS FEHB. I have several pieces of DME and they were supposed to bill OWCP (Fed Workers Comp) they billed my insurance. Apria now has to refund my insurance and possibly me for my co-pay. (I can only Dream I will ever get my money back.)