HIGH Praise to my DME!!!!

[Komodo]

I've read a lot of DME horror stories on this Forum, and thought you guy's would like to hear a story that is more like a Fairy Tale, that ends........."and they lived happily ever after"
(it's a long read, but well worth it.)

I had to switch health insurance companies mid-rental. I didn't know what was going to happen with my contract with my DME (HRTE). Would my new insurance assume the rest of the rental? Would I have to return my machine and get a new contract on a new one? Would I have to forfill the contract on my OWN without insurance, having to pay $400 a month out-of-pocket?
I needed to get a lot of answers, and QUICK! The last payment from my old insurance was for the month of January. I needed to get everythig straightened out before February 1st!!!

That shouldn't be a problem........except........there was a MAJOR snafu with the NEW insurance company. I called them up to discuss my DME problem and they said they couldn't talk to ME, beause ONLY my wife was on the insurance. I wasn't covered!!!!!! Fot the past two plus weeks, I've been getting THAT straightened out, and finally was done, and insured, as of yesterday.

THEN, the "Fun" began!
I call the insurance to find out what to do about my DME contract. I get put on hold while the young lady I'm talking to finds out. ( I find out latter, that whoever she asked for the information, didn't know what they were talking about) She tells me that since my DME is not one of their prefered DME's, I should return my machine, ending my contract, and get a BRAND NEW machine through their DME. I thought that was GREAT news, hung up and went about my business.

Short while latter, I'm thinking to myself, "Why didn't I ask about buying the machine outright?" so I call them back. GOOD THING I DID!!!! This time, I actually speak to a woman who KNOWS their policy. It is COMPLETELY different than what the first woman told me!!! No, I cannot get a new machine. Yes,they will pick up my old contract BUT.......since my DME is out -of-network, they won't cover the fullmonthly rental, AND, their staqndard policy with their in-network DME's call for only a 10 month rental. I've had my machine for 6 months already, with 6 more months to go. THEY will only pay, at the reduced rate, for 4 more months. I will have to make up the difference out-of-pocket. A little quick math, and that means roughly $1200!!!!!

And now (Finally!) the "Happily ever after"

I call my DME, and ask to speak to "Michelle" who had been a GREAT help to me in the past. I explain the situation to her. She says: "John, you're been renting from us for the past 6 months. Don't worry about a thing. I'm just going to write off the contract. The machine is now yours, free and clear." You could have knocked me over with a feather! I was speachless!!! I couldn't believe my GOOD luck! I thanked her, and thanked her, and thanked her, you wouldn't belive HOW MUCH I thanked her!

As you can see, SOMETIMES, there IS a happy ending with your DME!

[builta]

Hi,

That is great news. I would suggest that you call your DME back an request that they send you a letter that states that your XPAP's contract is satisfied and that the unit is now yours free and clear. When you picked up the unit you most likely had to sign a contract so, it is just prudent to get something "official" to demonstrate that the terms are considered completely satisfied.

[Catnap]

That IS a great story! You're right, we get so focused on the DMEs who seem to be in it only for the money -- BIG money -- that it's easy to forget that some are actually trying to do a good job to take care of their clients. Very refreshing to hear! I can imagine the relief you felt; my company changes insurance, and insurance terms, often, and I always have that panic about how everything will be dealt with by the new one.

[Sleeprider]

Would I have to forfill the contract on my OWN without insurance, having to pay $400 a month out-of-pocket?...
"Michelle" who had been a GREAT help to me in the past. I explain the situation to her. She says: "John, you're been renting from us for the past 6 months. Don't worry about a thing. I'm just going to write off the contract. The machine is now yours, free and clear.

I hate to be a cynic, but I am. You, or your insurance paid $400/month for 6-months totaling $2400, on a machine that on this site sells for $438 bucks. Even accounting for excellent service, you paid five-times what that machine is worth. I think thank-yous are in order, but I'd stop well short of back-flips.

[Guest]

Can you tell us who your DME is ? Be nice to know a good one.

[roster]

I hate to be a cynic, but I am. You, or your insurance paid $400/month for 6-months totaling $2400, on a machine that on this site sells for $438 bucks. Even accounting for excellent service, you paid five-times what that machine is worth. I think thank-yous are in order, but I'd stop well short of back-flips.

Yep. They mug you, take your cash, credit and debit cards, your Rolex and your toupee and you praise them because they did not take your pants.

[shippy]

Komodo
If it makes you feel any better I got shafted on a rent to own deal of my BiPap I wound up paying some money up front then $71.00 a month payments for what seemed like forever till it was mine Kind of like buying a car from a shady dealer.

and Rooster go back to your old avatar

Shippy

[kteague]

Glad that in all the insurance transitions this was one headache that was resolved without too much hassle. Yeah, the DME likely had been well paid, but not more than allowable by current industry standards. Fact is, they could have held out for those few more months' dollars (like my 1st DME did) but chose to mitigate their profit. Enjoy being the proud owner of your machine.

[Komodo]

Would I have to forfill the contract on my OWN without insurance, having to pay $400 a month out-of-pocket?...
"Michelle" who had been a GREAT help to me in the past. I explain the situation to her. She says: "John, you're been renting from us for the past 6 months. Don't worry about a thing. I'm just going to write off the contract. The machine is now yours, free and clear.

I hate to be a cynic, but I am. You, or your insurance paid $400/month for 6-months totaling $2400, on a machine that on this site sells for $438 bucks. Even accounting for excellent service, you paid five-times what that machine is worth. I think thank-yous are in order, but I'd stop well short of back-flips.

You're right, the DME did make a huge profit, but that's what they're in business for. They COULD HAVE made even more profit by enforcing my contract to the end. They have every right to. If I had called them up ranting & raving, and demanding to speak to the president, they probably would have enforced the contract.

My "Thanks" go out to a simple Customer Service Rep (Michelle), who without any pleading from me, wrote me off on her own accord. SHE didn't have to do that. She could have handed me off to their Billing, or Legal depts and I would have been stuck paying. Instead, SHE, did a nice thing . IF, I had spoken to a different Rep, this might very well have turned into yet another DME HORROR STORY!

[Komodo]

Can you tell us who your DME is ? Be nice to know a good one.

My pleasure!

Home Respiratory Therapy & Equipment
1999 Marcus Ave.
Lake Success NY 11042
Tel (800) 227-5707
http://www.hrte.com

If you call them, ask to speak to "Michelle" She'll do the right thing by you!

[Komodo]

I hate to be a cynic, but I am. You, or your insurance paid $400/month for 6-months totaling $2400, on a machine that on this site sells for $438 bucks. Even accounting for excellent service, you paid five-times what that machine is worth. I think thank-yous are in order, but I'd stop well short of back-flips.

Yep. They mug you, take your cash, credit and debit cards, your Rolex and your toupee and you praise them because they did not take your pants.

They mugged, ect. my old insurance not me. My monthly co-pay for the machine was only $6!

[Patrick A]

They could have done like APRIA RIPOFF and continued to bill you even after your 13th month like they tried to do to me. Or stick you for the deductable twice like APRIA RIPOFF did to me in 2005 and again in 2006.

[ozij]

I hate to be a cynic, but I am. You, or your insurance paid $400/month for 6-months totaling $2400, on a machine that on this site sells for $438 bucks. Even accounting for excellent service, you paid five-times what that machine is worth. I think thank-yous are in order, but I'd stop well short of back-flips.

Yep. They mug you, take your cash, credit and debit cards, your Rolex and your toupee and you praise them because they did not take your pants.

Speaking of toupees rooster... nice one on your "avatar of the week"...

Edit: Switched within 2 hours... or less

[roster]

They mugged, ect. my old insurance not me. My monthly co-pay for the machine was only $6!

Sorry Komodo, but that gets us all by driving insurance rates up.

You need to rethink the attitude that "the insurance company is paying". Insurance companies have no money except what they get from all of us.