Medicare Pays!

[gerry]

I am fortunate to have both medicare and a supplemental insurer pick up most of my medical bills. After my first three months with a CPAP (remstar pro 2 and swift nasal pillows) my DME advised that I should get replacement parts, at no cost to me. They sent me a new hose, filters, nasal pillows and the nose piece. Only the headgear was omitted. Medicare was billed $291, they paid $192 and the insurer paid $48. I wonder what is the actual cost of the parts and how much profit the DME made on this transaction. This is apart from the $72 monthly rental they receive for the CPAP. I am in favor of universal health insurance for all, but there has to be major changes allowing for marketplace competition.

[Goofproof]

The problem with Universal Health Ins, is someone in the Universe is going to have to pay the Bill., And that's Us, we the Guy holding up the stick. Jim

[johnnygoodman]

I am in favor of universal health insurance for all, but there has to be major changes allowing for marketplace competition.

When I hear universal health care, it is always referring to government programs that declare everyone covered. The trouble is that WE are the government. What kind of system would allow for competition and still provide for all citizens?

Perhaps some sort of voucher system? "Good for one CPAP" at any retailer?

I'm pretty much against universal healthcare because I've never heard anyone put forward an economically viable way to do it. Until they do, it just means my taxes go up to pay for people who aren't accountable to me or thankful to me for my forced donation. I'd rather manage my own giving, that way I know it gets where it needs to go.

Johnny

[Sleepy-in-AL]

... They sent me a new hose, filters, nasal pillows and the nose piece. Only the headgear was omitted. Medicare was billed $291, they paid $192 and the insurer paid $48. I wonder what is the actual cost of the parts and how much profit the DME made on this transaction.

Well I'm sure cpap.com is making some profit and to order these supplies from there as of the date of this post would cost:

Swift Nasal Pillow System: $114.00 (including headgear which is 46.99 by itself)
Filters, Disposable: $13.99 (Six Pack, I'm sure you didn't get 6)
Filters, Reusable: $9.99 (Two Pack)
Hose, standard 6 foot: $9.99
Total: $147.97

On the other hand, cpap.com doesn't have to deal with insurance paperwork, hassle, and wait for payment.

[nosbig-nosbig]

According to my observations, anytime you have a third party payer costs go up. And when the government gets involved the costs skyrocket.

When I was a young man I read the Communist Manifesto. Much of what I read sounded good and fair and nice. The one thing that was missing was how human nature would figure in.

I believe in liberty and freedom for all, to the point that we are allowed to make bad decisions and have to live with the consequences. That is how we learn.

One of the things standing in the way of marketplace competition in health care is the Doctors Union better known as the AMA. Soon after they were formed they started closing hospitals and reducing the number of people admitted to Medical school.

Another thing is attitude. Ever try to shop around for health care, some of us think, I have insurance why bother to compar prices. Or in asking about prices we are asked do you have insurance, then why are you concerned about the price?