Replacement machine

[Hugho1]

So Apria told me my machine is 5 years old and I'm eligible for a new machine. Will this cost me the standard 13 months lease to buy? Any good reason to do this or should I just wait until it breaks and then get replacement?

[LSAT]

So Apria told me my machine is 5 years old and I'm eligible for a new machine. Will this cost me the standard 13 months lease to buy? Any good reason to do this or should I just wait until it breaks and then get replacement?

Get the new one and keep the old as an emergency back up......Hopefully you can find a better, more honest DME than Apria.
Check with your insurance for the terms of your policy.....some insurance companies require you to show that your current machine doesn't function before they approve a new one.

[Hi in Orlando]

Apria has a very bad rating for customer service and standing behind their machines....I use Americare, and I've got to say they are excellent! They handle everything with your insurance so you don't have to.

My doctors office wanted me to go thru Apria, but after seeing their ratings, I opted to go thru Americare again. So glad I did!

[SewTired]

You have to check to see what your insurance does. Some allow you to buy outright after a couple of months, some have the 13 months, others don't cover until you've reached your deductible.

If you are using original Medicare, yes, you will have the 13 month schedule.

I also agree with the other poster. Unless you already HAVE a backup, I'd get the new one and then hold the old one as a backup. It could be weeks to get your machine and you'd have nothing as most DMEs do not provide rentals or temporary machines unless you are currently renting from them (as in the Medicare setup).

[Petrodon]

This is a bit controversial, but I suggest not using a DME at all.

The ones I have worked with (Apria and Mid-Atlantic) have both been horrible. I was having trouble with my nasal mask and went in to try out a full face mask (my preferred mask type today) fitting and the woman at Apria told me just because I put a mask on my face once that I now owned it. Or more accurately, that she would charge my insurance for it. So here is another option, cut out the middle man entirely and buy everything yourself using a Healthcare Spending Account on CPAP.com. You will find everything much cheaper than your insurance could ever hope to bargain for there. Yes you will pay out of pocket, but there will be no compliance (you will have to have your prescription, but CPAP.com can get that directly from your doctor), the prices are usually 1/3 the insurance rate and they have a money-back guarantee on almost everything, including a 30 day no questions asked return policy on masks.