Hi all.
I have a question for you. After fighting with my insurance on getting the right mask, I finally won. They originally gave me the comfort gel size large. I am a small woman. The mask went over my lips...Then they wanted to send me a mask without trying it. I finally went to a manager and he fit me with the Ultra Mirage II. My question is this.....I am going on vacation on the 16th (Vegas) should I start the therapy now or wait until I get back? Thanks for the input.
I started therapy on march 14th and I've been fighting with Apria ever since.
Brenny
Apria, not fun
Apria, not fun
BRENDA BLEIER
Hi,
I would suggest that you gradually start trying to get used to the machine while watching TV. It wouldn't hurt. It takes time to get used to this therapy, but each individual is different. You may find that you are one of the lucky ones who will adapt to it quickly and feel much better using it. It's worth a try. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
I've also had horrible experiences with my DME. Apria is the closest DME to where we live. I put in 3 calls to them and their respiratory therapist never returned my calls. I'm seriously thinking of just switching to CPAP for Seniors on the internet.
Good luck.
I would suggest that you gradually start trying to get used to the machine while watching TV. It wouldn't hurt. It takes time to get used to this therapy, but each individual is different. You may find that you are one of the lucky ones who will adapt to it quickly and feel much better using it. It's worth a try. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
I've also had horrible experiences with my DME. Apria is the closest DME to where we live. I put in 3 calls to them and their respiratory therapist never returned my calls. I'm seriously thinking of just switching to CPAP for Seniors on the internet.
Good luck.
I'm with you. When I first started on this therapy my doctor gave me a phone number for the local Apria business. Not knowing any better, I called them and made an appointment to meet with a therapist(?). I had done a little research and had just started perusing this forum. However, when I got to Apria they tried to have me rent an unknown CPAP machine even though my perscription specifically said Remstar. It was funny because I just mentioned casually that I was familiar with the Remstar and they backed off---really fast. I think they just wanted to sell me an unknown machine from which they made the most profit!!
Since then I've not had the best relationship with the technicians (DMEs?). They seem to always rush me through and have never offered any real advice other than "..this mask is not the best." Not very clinical!
The latest issues concern renting of CPAP machines. They apparently like to rent machines at first , which makes sense to me, " so you can be sure you have the right one". Of course, when I wanted to switch machines , they questioned why I wanted to. I went from the Remstar CPAP W/c-flex, to the Remstar Pro because I wanted to be able evaluate my therapy. They seemed upset that I would do such a thing, but since I had the perscription from my doctor they gave in. That seemed to make the relationship w/them worse.
I'm now approached them to get the REmstar Auto and the person I talked to again gave me a hard time..she eventually patched me to a DME's message line (they have 3 PT DME's and I have seen a different one each time I've come to their offices... It's been 3 days, and I've not heard from their DME. This is the last straw and I've already contacted another provider..who is actually only 1 mile away, versus 15 miles to Apria. I'm interested to see what they will have to say when I tell them "so long". They will probably try to invoke some minute language on the rental contract preventing me from not eventually buying the rental. I'm ready, regardless. They don't deserve any more business from me.
My situation may be unique, but I seem to recall a number of complaints against Apria on this forum. I'm not often hard to please, but as a patient and customer I expect better service..or just service, neither of which Apria provided.
Since then I've not had the best relationship with the technicians (DMEs?). They seem to always rush me through and have never offered any real advice other than "..this mask is not the best." Not very clinical!
The latest issues concern renting of CPAP machines. They apparently like to rent machines at first , which makes sense to me, " so you can be sure you have the right one". Of course, when I wanted to switch machines , they questioned why I wanted to. I went from the Remstar CPAP W/c-flex, to the Remstar Pro because I wanted to be able evaluate my therapy. They seemed upset that I would do such a thing, but since I had the perscription from my doctor they gave in. That seemed to make the relationship w/them worse.
I'm now approached them to get the REmstar Auto and the person I talked to again gave me a hard time..she eventually patched me to a DME's message line (they have 3 PT DME's and I have seen a different one each time I've come to their offices... It's been 3 days, and I've not heard from their DME. This is the last straw and I've already contacted another provider..who is actually only 1 mile away, versus 15 miles to Apria. I'm interested to see what they will have to say when I tell them "so long". They will probably try to invoke some minute language on the rental contract preventing me from not eventually buying the rental. I'm ready, regardless. They don't deserve any more business from me.
My situation may be unique, but I seem to recall a number of complaints against Apria on this forum. I'm not often hard to please, but as a patient and customer I expect better service..or just service, neither of which Apria provided.
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| Mask | Humidifier | |
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apria
I have dealt with Apria in the past, (my son has asthma) and they were awful. (the billing department)
It is unbelievable that an RT would come in and take a look at me, get a mask (size large) and when i question him about trying more he tells me that is the best mask they have. When i went back i refused to see him.
Maybe i will try another provider. Thanks for the input.
Brenny
It is unbelievable that an RT would come in and take a look at me, get a mask (size large) and when i question him about trying more he tells me that is the best mask they have. When i went back i refused to see him.
Maybe i will try another provider. Thanks for the input.
Brenny
BRENDA BLEIER
Just started my dealings with Apria since my other DME did not carry the Remstar Auto. Apria told me that only physicians are able to obtain that machine and they would have to get "special permission" from the Apria higher ups in order to "let me have" that machine. After many phone calls back and forth, they said that they "agreed" to let me have the Auto.
Then the fun starts - I inquire as to cost - they tell me what % my insurance will pay - I explain, I know how much they will pay, what is the TOTAL cost of machine - nope, cannot give it to me, don't have it, will research it, doesn't involve me since I only have to pay 30% copay. Well, 30% of an unknown can break the bank - I explain that the only way I'll pick up the machine is if they tell me total cost.
STALEMATE - that's where we are at now - last phone call was resp. therapist telling me that I really don't want that machine - no reason why, I just don't want it.
We are currently in a holding pattern with no landing in sight.......
Then the fun starts - I inquire as to cost - they tell me what % my insurance will pay - I explain, I know how much they will pay, what is the TOTAL cost of machine - nope, cannot give it to me, don't have it, will research it, doesn't involve me since I only have to pay 30% copay. Well, 30% of an unknown can break the bank - I explain that the only way I'll pick up the machine is if they tell me total cost.
STALEMATE - that's where we are at now - last phone call was resp. therapist telling me that I really don't want that machine - no reason why, I just don't want it.
We are currently in a holding pattern with no landing in sight.......
total cost
Wow. I am also trying to deal with Apria at the moment. I am supposed to ge a machine this week, hopefully -- Remstar Auto with cflex, my doc wrote the prescription for it specifically. I called Apria early before the paperwork was in to the insurance co or the DME to get an idea of cost and asked pretty much the same set of questions. How much total cost. Because if my 20% of something is more than the cpap.com total purchase price, guess what? I'll spend my money elsewhere. They really didn't want to give me an answer on total cost. I told them model number and what my insurance was etc. Had to pump hard for even an estimate. I am now waiting for my insurance to approve the auto, then I will either get them to quote me the total cost or go elsewhere. I am not signing up for an unknown. They of course gave me the lines like "you don't want to buy first....better to try first -- meaning rent", Not sure how that matters when I am getting the auto which can be used as auto or cpap, and also can be used with or without cflex. Other than bipap, where else is there to go from there, and why would I be unhappy? Also they questioned why I wanted Auto etc. Should be interesting to see if they will actually answer my questions with the machine sitting in front of me.
All I was able to get from this resp. therapist was that it would cost me $19.24 per month, then he threw out that I needed $79.32 up front to pick up the machine, and then the figures $264.37 and $152.95 and couldn't tell me what those were for! I know that you buy the humidifier and hose and you rent the unit, but my question to him was "how long do I pay $19.24 per month" - he said until your ins. company decides to buy the unit - This to me makes little to no sense
As for buying online - Aetna has told me that they will not pay for it at the 30% copay, they would probably reimburse me only 50% - but even at 50%, it'll probably be less of a hassle.
I'll keep circling and see if Apria an give me anymore information when I pester them again next week!
As for buying online - Aetna has told me that they will not pay for it at the 30% copay, they would probably reimburse me only 50% - but even at 50%, it'll probably be less of a hassle.
I'll keep circling and see if Apria an give me anymore information when I pester them again next week!
All I was able to get from this resp. therapist was that it would cost me $19.24 per month, then he threw out that I needed $79.32 up front to pick up the machine, and then the figures $264.37 and $152.95 and couldn't tell me what those were for! I know that you buy the humidifier and hose and you rent the unit, but my question to him was "how long do I pay $19.24 per month" - he said until your ins. company decides to buy the unit - This to me makes little to no sense
As for buying online - Aetna has told me that they will not pay for it at the 30% copay, they would probably reimburse me only 50% - but even at 50%, it'll probably be less of a hassle.
I'll keep circling and see if Apria an give me anymore information when I pester them again next week!
As for buying online - Aetna has told me that they will not pay for it at the 30% copay, they would probably reimburse me only 50% - but even at 50%, it'll probably be less of a hassle.
I'll keep circling and see if Apria an give me anymore information when I pester them again next week!
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Guest
I want to clarify that my postings are based upon my dealings with local Apria and are my opinions,feelings only. I suspect that there are good Apria branches out there.
I've decided not to deal with Apria. In this competitive world, there should be a lot of businesses that you can go to. I checked with my insurance and found about 11 businesses within 15 miles of where I live (I'm in Richmond, VA).
They are "x"ed out in my book! Sounds like many on this forum have not been treated fairly or even given accurate information from Apria. As I indicated earlier, there are always alternative places to go for equipment. At this point, Apria has been nothing more than a supplier of equipment to me. They've never provided me any real assistance or advice. But they have questioned what I've wanted...I could accept their advice if it really was advice, not just a poor attitude based on business greed, IMHO.
I guess you can see that I've had it!!!
I've decided not to deal with Apria. In this competitive world, there should be a lot of businesses that you can go to. I checked with my insurance and found about 11 businesses within 15 miles of where I live (I'm in Richmond, VA).
They are "x"ed out in my book! Sounds like many on this forum have not been treated fairly or even given accurate information from Apria. As I indicated earlier, there are always alternative places to go for equipment. At this point, Apria has been nothing more than a supplier of equipment to me. They've never provided me any real assistance or advice. But they have questioned what I've wanted...I could accept their advice if it really was advice, not just a poor attitude based on business greed, IMHO.
I guess you can see that I've had it!!!
Estimate
Sue,
You asked what I was able to get from Apria
I got $20 - 25 per month (my copay) since I know that I am up for 20%copay I can figure that this is $100 to 125/month total billed cost
They told me $60 the first month. This difference would be about what I calculate for 20% of a mask, hose, and headgear. So no surprise there.
Interesting comment on how low long you pay in another post. I need to be very specific with that question as I don't want this "rental" to go on forever. Another DME, American Home Patient, told me it is rent to own and the payments are divided over 10 months. I assumed that that meant no matter what, as long as my insurance keeps paying for 10 months, I owned after 10 months with them, but need to make sure.
American home patient gave me a total of $888 on the machine and $239 on the humidifier (and then divide by 10 and calculate your percentage copay).
I am still waiting for Apria's billing to call dept me (and my insurance to approve the auto) then I will have my work cut out making sure I don't get into a "pay until my company buys -- when is that?? situation. If I am not really sure about what Apria is saying, I will take my info to American Home Patient and talk to them.
Worst case I go buy my own for $725 at cpap.com. But if I can get the insurance to pay it is less than $300 for me due to 20% copay. So even with their inflated prices, I am better off if I can deal with the DME.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, hose, cpap.com, DME, auto
You asked what I was able to get from Apria
I got $20 - 25 per month (my copay) since I know that I am up for 20%copay I can figure that this is $100 to 125/month total billed cost
They told me $60 the first month. This difference would be about what I calculate for 20% of a mask, hose, and headgear. So no surprise there.
Interesting comment on how low long you pay in another post. I need to be very specific with that question as I don't want this "rental" to go on forever. Another DME, American Home Patient, told me it is rent to own and the payments are divided over 10 months. I assumed that that meant no matter what, as long as my insurance keeps paying for 10 months, I owned after 10 months with them, but need to make sure.
American home patient gave me a total of $888 on the machine and $239 on the humidifier (and then divide by 10 and calculate your percentage copay).
I am still waiting for Apria's billing to call dept me (and my insurance to approve the auto) then I will have my work cut out making sure I don't get into a "pay until my company buys -- when is that?? situation. If I am not really sure about what Apria is saying, I will take my info to American Home Patient and talk to them.
Worst case I go buy my own for $725 at cpap.com. But if I can get the insurance to pay it is less than $300 for me due to 20% copay. So even with their inflated prices, I am better off if I can deal with the DME.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, hose, cpap.com, DME, auto
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jkennedy
DME SUPPLIERS
I actually work for a DME supply company (NOT APRIA) and have heard allot of the stories like the ones you have described. My company actually just specailizes in the disposable equipment. We are a new company and work very closely with patients to try to ensure they have no out of pocket expenses. At least on the disposable side. If anyone has any questions don't hesitate to email me and I will be happy to try to help. Even if we are not your supplier I might be able to answer some of the questions you might have. My email is jkennedy@tibromedical.com .
Insurance standoff
Well, to update my situation, it may not be Apria that stonewalls me but my insurance.
My company (actually an administrator for the large company which self-insures) denied my doctors request for APAP. I submitted an appeal and if that fails, I have a second level of appeal to the company, not the administrator. Then if that fails, I guess I am on my own for the APAP (here I come CPAP.com).
I will definately make sure that I get all the supplies through the insurance so that they pay every penny possible (hoses, masks etc).
Very frustrating situation.
I am sure that APAP would serve me best. (The insurance company decided even though my doctor supported APAP, that "my condition could be successfully treated with CPAP...")
I am a person who fluxuates in weight, and sleeps in a number of positions. I want the machine that gives me the greatest chance of success and avoids me needing to do additional sleep studies ($$$ and comfort/hassle) when I gain and lose weight which is inevitable. I am sure that APAP would actually save the Insurance company money in the long run.
Why are they so closedminded???
My company (actually an administrator for the large company which self-insures) denied my doctors request for APAP. I submitted an appeal and if that fails, I have a second level of appeal to the company, not the administrator. Then if that fails, I guess I am on my own for the APAP (here I come CPAP.com).
I will definately make sure that I get all the supplies through the insurance so that they pay every penny possible (hoses, masks etc).
Very frustrating situation.
I am sure that APAP would serve me best. (The insurance company decided even though my doctor supported APAP, that "my condition could be successfully treated with CPAP...")
I am a person who fluxuates in weight, and sleeps in a number of positions. I want the machine that gives me the greatest chance of success and avoids me needing to do additional sleep studies ($$$ and comfort/hassle) when I gain and lose weight which is inevitable. I am sure that APAP would actually save the Insurance company money in the long run.
Why are they so closedminded???