Pressure From DME to accept Un Needed supplies

[DannyPh]

I Recieved a Call from my DME this Morning ( Interupting My Sleep ) wanting to know is i was ready for my Next shipment of Supplies ( Nasal Pillows, Filters and Hose ). I replied, No Thank You I have an Adequate amount on hand now and her Reply was--Your Deductible starts over in January--Are you sure you don't want this shipment ? I again replied NO, I am good for now. She was persisant on me accepting the shipment--Guess they are trying to squeeze every Dollar out of us that they can before the Years end. I told her I would contact them when I was in need of more supplies but I was tempted to tell her that I can buy the Filters and Hoses off ebay for less that they charge me for their Co-Pay but the Gentleman that I am I just kept my thoughts to myself and told her to have a Nice day.

[msradar65]

I had the same experience. I accepted the supplies and asked for auto ship. Even though I can get them cheaper off e-bay. I am at my max so its nothing out of pocket to me for now. Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

Once the new deductible years starts I may have to change my buying strategy.

[LSAT]

I think it's rediculous to accept accessories that we do not need just because the insurance will pay for it. I ran across a person at my doctor's office that told me that he had about 6 hoses and 4 masks sitting in his closet. He said the DME just sends them to him. HEY...we are all paying for it with higher insurance costs.

[Stetson]

In these guys defence, Most insurances with annual deductables start over in January. So what may cost you a percentage in December will cost you your deductable then a percentage. So they are trying to help even though they come off pushy.

But with that being said most of the time there is a 200% markup on the items.

[msradar65]

I compared cash prices from online providers, ebay and my DME prices. So far the only place I save money is on nasal pillows. I can buy them off ebay for less than $10....DME and online charge $22. Climateline hose is the same price with DME, Ebay and online providers $50 to 55. Filters are same price no matter where I get them and they are cheap. Humidifier chamber was also the same price online and through DME. I have not seen any S9 humidifier chambers on Ebay. Headgear was same price online and with my DME...ebay had some that were cheaper. I did buy a complete second mask as back up.

I use all resmed equipment...so for me I have not seem big differences in the prices. So yes I will stock pile my supplies for now. When I start the new year and I have $3k plus deductible to meet before they pay for anything...it will be a help for me. Not to mention my DME bills me and allows me to pay over time.

This may vary depending on what machine you have and what mask and accessories you use.