What happens to returned Xpaps??

[rvguy]

When a machine is returned to a DME due to change in insurance or any other reason, what does the DME do with the machine? Can they legally issue it to another customer on a rent-to-own contract?? Just wondering....

Thanks,
Paul

[mattman]

Most of the time we just end up giving them away to patients who have no insurance or can't afford one.

If it's got very few hours on it (Usually say less than 200) it could possibly be reissued since you are only talking about being used for a week or two.

Anything more than that, say a patient who switches to a BiPAP after a few months or one who switches to an auto, well you're just stuck with it.

Can't sell it as new. If you try to sell it as a used device you tend to get accused of insurance fraud. So we just usually end up giving them away and the ones we can't give away we just throw out.

I've worked with a couple dozen companies over the years and that's pretty much how it's been done everywhere, though I'm sure some are different.

Yes I'm also sure there are dirtbags out there just like there are in any business that will try and pawn off units with 400+ hours as new equipment. Like any dirtbags though those are going to be the exception rather than the rule.

mattman

[Vader]

When a machine is returned to a DME due to change in insurance or any other reason, what does the DME do with the machine? Can they legally issue it to another customer on a rent-to-own contract?? Just wondering....

Thanks,
Paul

legally? ....probably not.-which would explain why my (supposedly) highly respected DME immediately sent over a brand-spanking-new machine when I complained about them to my insurance company for doing that to me.
They were charging my insurance company $250 a month (for 10 months) to "rent to own".

Not a bad markup for an old RemStar Plus, (w/o cflex) with nearly 4000 hours, eh?:roll:

[tomjax]

I would think it is the same with anything that is not acceptable, such as a wife or boy/girl friend.
You simply let another person see if it works for them.

It sometimes happens that the original owner simply did not know the proper operation or be able to adjust or adapt for maximum performance.

There are many mysterious buttons that the owner needs to know how to adjust for maximum effect.

This is perhaps a great aggument for rent to own.
Those that were factory flawed are simply rejected as nobody can make them perform as designed.

[Slinky]

Goshes, I would have thought that DMEs would use them as temporary loaners when someone brings one in for repair or until a new machine that had to be ordered arrived, etc. as well as donating them to organizations that serve the needy, or even for mask fittings in the office.

The first one I was given had 13 hours on it. It was a RemStar Plus. Since I insisted on one w/data capabilities I was then given the Resmed S8 Elite w/Humidaire 3i which had no hours on it. I had the impression that that RemStar was just a loaner until the Resmed S8 could be ordered and received.

[Sleepless in St. Louis]

You're only speculating on the legalalities of issuing new/used to a patient. I was told that the rules vary according to the agreement the DME has struck with the insurance carrier. I also see a lot of xpaps go up for auction on yahoo auctions by the same sellers. Only a guess but there seems to me a gray market for used paps out there. I dont see a problem with that since the units mainly have a low price and low hours. That works for some people.