Your experience with Lincare Healthcare?

[jrfoster]

I switched to Lincare because they have a local office (only 1 mile from my house) and I have found them to be very friendly and helpful. If I need something (and they call me each month to make sure I have what I need) I simply call them, ask if they have such and such in stock, and if they do, I go to pick it up. Pay my co-payment and that is it!

I am very happy with them. The staff that works there are local people so I know where they live!

Jeff in TN

[jovilea]

My friend is stuck with Lincare as his DME, and he's had nothing but problem after problem with them, mainly because the machine he has, a Resmed auto SV Adapt, keeps malfunctioning. They insist he's doing something wrong, but when he was hospitalized for several months last year, the same problem kept occurring even when "professionals" were handling the machines. But now Lincare refuses to replace his current machine, which is also failing, even though they are responsible for 5 years per their contract with Medicare. This is subsequently causing my friend's health to deteriorate rapidly and we are racing against time to try and find a way to get Medicare and/or Lincare to own up to their responsibility. It's been very frustrating dealing with people who just don't care. Unfortunately, it looks like seeking legal counsel is his only option, and even that is out of the question as he's on disability and barely gets enough to live on each month. Needless to say he's lost hope and is starting to get his affairs in order. It's a shame he has no family to sue the pants off Lincare for their gross negligence and deliberate disregard for human life. I'm thankful that my DME has been wonderful.

[FeelingBetter]

My experience has been horrible with them. If you want to invest to make money then it is probably a good choice because they will screw the patient, misinform them and then over charge them plus provide no service after the "sale". (Mind you, this is for our local Lincare, I'm not saying they all are that way but I filed a complaint with ours and there are many others Nationwide).

[Bright Choice]

I have not had a good experience with my local Lincan't office. I have compsa and my doc prescribed a Resmed S9 Adapt SV. Lincan't dragged their feet over many weeks. When they asked for a full copy of my sleep study so that they could rescore the study, I knew it was time to find a new dme. I think it's up to the doc to arrive at a diagnosis and the dme to provide the equipment. I got a new dme and the correct machine arrived within days.

[grybeard77]

I quit Lindon'tcare some time ago when they told me I couldn't have the mask I wanted because it wasn't in inventory...
Went to CPAP.com and buy what I want when I want it, Never been sorry.

[Hoosiergal]

Our experience with Lincare in northwest Indiana started out ok, but has turned out to be HORRIBLE.
Our family member was diagnosed with sleep apnea, and they were the provider recommended by the doc. They came out to the house and provided the equipment, but is wasn't right for our loved one. We'd call the Lincare office to ask for assistance, and didn't get calls back. They finally agreed to come again, but didn't show up at the appointed time! We called to complain, and they made another appointment, and didn't show up for that one, either! We wanted to fire them but found out we couldn't since we're on Medicare. The gal at the front office hooked us up with a "middle manager" dude who was a smart aleck and couldn't have cared less. Totally terrible service, and the respiratory therapist that came to the house seemed so frazzled and unhappy with her work that the entire experience has been two big ol' thumbs down.

[bbf]

Hoosiergirl - my Mom has had exactly the same experience recently with Lincare in Northwest Indiana. To their credit, they did take back the first machine she received (a brick) and mask with no problem and give her a resmed S9 auto and better mask. However, they have not returned calls etc when she wanted filters and other supplies. Finally,the doctor called Lincare and had the manager call her to set up an appointment for a new mask (she wants to try the airfit P10 so the straps don't mess up her hair ). The appointment is next week, so we'll see how it goes. Without the help of this site, she would not be using the therapy because Lincare was no help. Did your family member receive a bill from Lincare? After 6 months she has not received a bill and is on medicare.

[Sclark08]

My local Lincare office was TERRIBLE!!

[Janknitz]

Our experience with Lincare in northwest Indiana started out ok, but has turned out to be HORRIBLE.
Our family member was diagnosed with sleep apnea, and they were the provider recommended by the doc. They came out to the house and provided the equipment, but is wasn't right for our loved one. We'd call the Lincare office to ask for assistance, and didn't get calls back. They finally agreed to come again, but didn't show up at the appointed time! We called to complain, and they made another appointment, and didn't show up for that one, either! We wanted to fire them but found out we couldn't since we're on Medicare. The gal at the front office hooked us up with a "middle manager" dude who was a smart aleck and couldn't have cared less. Totally terrible service, and the respiratory therapist that came to the house seemed so frazzled and unhappy with her work that the entire experience has been two big ol' thumbs down.

There's generally more than one Medicare provider in an area, BUT it may be that the supplemental insurer only works with Lincare. So call the family member's supplemental insurer to find out if there are any options (don't take Lincare's word for it!). AND file a complaint against Lincare with Medicare.