Not for home use

[Uniform129]

I purchased a new mask today from my sleep doctors brick and mortar office. I realized after I got home that the package has "Not for home use" and " Full lab mask" on the outside of the package.

Do you all think I should confront them about it? I pay them in cash, and have to seek reimbursement through my insurance, as they refuse to submit billing for anything other than appointment charge.

Jim

[Pugsy]

They charged you for a sample given to them by the mask manufacturer that was intended to be GIVEN to a patient and not sold.
They didn't pay for it.
While it stinks of being unethical....I don't know if there is any recourse or not.
It would make me rethink any future dealings I would have with a place like that though. They would ever see another dime from me.
And I most definitely would blow the whistle on them to whomever would listen.

[LSAT]

I purchased a new mask today from my sleep doctors brick and mortar office. I realized after I got home that the package has "Not for home use" and " Full lab mask" on the outside of the package.

Do you all think I should confront them about it? I pay them in cash, and have to seek reimbursement through my insurance, as they refuse to submit billing for anything other than appointment charge.

Jim

I would confront them....ask for a different mask...and never purchase from them again. They charge for appointments ?????????????????

[Pugsy]

Was this an appointment to just get a new mask that they charged you for?
How much for that appointment and the mask did they end up charging you?

[D.H.]

It was supposed to be given as a free sample or used in the lab. They should have given it to you free of charge (or not at all).

I would bring in the package and request a refund. If they want the mask back (and you've use it already), then tell them you will be keeping it, since it can't be used on anybody else.

That being said, it might be identical to one that you could have purchased though legitimate channels.

[slowriter]

Also maybe worth pointing out here that, at a high level, this lab has a conflict of interest. If I were you, I'd try to find another.

My lab works with an independent DME. I actually went over to the lab yesterday to ask about a sizing question on nasal cushions, and they ended up giving me a sample once we figured out the correct one.

Oh, and my DME handles all the insurance stuff, which is wonderful!

[ragtopcircus]

The masks for lab use are intended to be used for fittings, lab titrations, etc. They must be sanitized for each patient. If the mask you got was new in the original sealed package, and it fits and seals properly, then I'd have no problem with getting the lab version. Either way, you are going to pay for a new mask. If they just sold you a used, sanitized mask, that's a different matter altogether!

[Janknitz]

When your sleep lab or your doctor is selling you something, there is a built-in conflict of interest. In some states, it's illegal.

If you got a brand new sample mask, you got what you paid for, BUT the ethics of the doctor/lab suck because they are making 100% profit on something they didn't pay for. It also means that sleep lab or doctor's office does not use the sample masks as intended--to help a patient try different masks to see what works. That means if that mask doesn't work for you, you can't count on getting a good fitting with other sample masks because they'd rather sell them than give patients a good fitting.

[Uniform129]

Was this an appointment to just get a new mask that they charged you for?
How much for that appointment and the mask did they end up charging you?

They didnt charge me for the appointment to get the new mask, that was a free visit. I was just trying to illustrate how when i go in for a followup with the doctor, they will bill my insurance, however when i am just buying DME they only take payments in cash/check/cc. The reason i mentioned it is that after yesterday's incident, it kinda had me wondering if they do that because they dont wanna commit insurance fraud if they are billing for something that cost them nothing. They charged me $98 for the mask and headgear... then she threw in an extra headgear for free.

[Uniform129]

The masks for lab use are intended to be used for fittings, lab titrations, etc. They must be sanitized for each patient. If the mask you got was new in the original sealed package, and it fits and seals properly, then I'd have no problem with getting the lab version. Either way, you are going to pay for a new mask. If they just sold you a used, sanitized mask, that's a different matter altogether!

It was new and sealed in the packaging.

[Pugsy]

You paid a fair price and it was new still sealed in package.
Nothing wrong with it because what the labs and doctors get as free sample products are the exact same products as what we see for retail. It's not like it is an inferior product or anything like that.

The ethics of it suck though. Samples are supposed to be totally free to the patient. Any place of business that sells samples is a crappy place of business IMHO simply on principle.

Your choice as to whether or not you want to raise hell about it and/or continue to use their crappy unethical service.

I am kinda funny about getting screwed. I usually don't give them a second chance to screw me again just on my principle.

[Janknitz]

If you have DME coverage that includes masks and other supplies, it's also an ethical breach that they make you pay for it out of pocket when you could get insurance to cover it. I think that stinks.

Find another supplier for your consumables, don't use them.

[chunkyfrog]

"Sealed" packaging is not always FACTORY sealed.
If the original bag is opened carefully enough, it can be resealed
with a household vacuum sealer--with or without vacuum, or cleaning.
Just sayin' . . .
Repacking consumer goods is not rocket science--return enough stuff, and you learn.