DME charging for download

[JohnBFisher]

Nope. Never had it done. If they insist on charging for a download, then it's time for you to get the software and a card reader. I assume they also don't want any other business from you.

[newhosehead]

I am in complete agreement with JohnB, especially his last sentence. Well said.

[rosiefrosie]

Anyone ever heard of DMEs charging for downloads?

Greedy!!! Listen to JohnBFisher and get your own software and card reader or another DME.

rosie

[Slinky]

Yep. I've heard of it. Anywhere from $25 to some sheister DME that actually charged $65!!! My DME provider has never charged me. But then I think they only had to do one, maybe two, data downloads and printouts since I had the necessary software and cable reader and do my own. Heck, sometimes I even e-mail one of my downloads to my DME provider's RRT if I'm having difficulty or want to prove a point.

[Wulfman]

Here's a few links to download/view the reimbursement definitions and how they CAN charge for monitoring your therapy.
Whether they DO or not is debatable. But, yeah, they probably could if they wanted to.

http://reimbursement.respironics.com/do ... 100209.pdf

http://www.resmed.com/us/documents/101837.pdf

http://www.resmed.com/us/dealers/reimbu ... nc=dealers

http://www.resmed.com/us/dealers/reimbu ... nc=dealers



Den

[mattman]

I've never known one to charge and I've certainly never encountered it myself.

Are you just asking or has a provider charged you for doing so?

[KatieW]

My sleep doc is in WA state and I'm in AZ for the winter. He asked that I go to a local DME and have them download and sent the reports to him. I found a DME in Tucson that was willing to do that, for $75. He said it was because I didn't buy the xpap from them.

Of course, I didn't do it.

[MamaJo]

Anywhere from $25 to some sheister DME that actually charged $65!!!

Speaking of sheisters.....


I emailled F&P when I decided that I wanted to enquire about purchasing the software for my HC254 ( the supplier that i purchased from was closed up for Xmas) They emailled me back with the price and told me that I'd require a letter from the Doctor to give his approval for the ourchase. I rang my Sleep Specialist to ask if they could send me the letter. Now, I am of the opinion that this Doctor is not impressed that I went elsewhere to purchase my machine (rather than purchasing through him, adn in the process saving myself $1000 on machine and mask) and informed me that I would need to come in and pay for a consult to get the letter. The consult fee...... $260!!!!!

So I got the letter from my GP instead!

[jules]

I have heard of it happening too. I know someone in California who was charged $50 for them to screw up her machine not knowing how to put in biflex in an auto bipap too (ie they charged to change rx) and another $50 for the download of compliance only data.

[SleepingUgly]

Would the DME charge for the doctor to get a download or just the patient?

[jules]

either one --- they might not even do it for a patient but a DME wants to get as much $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in as possible

oh and if the doctor wants it the patient pays

[Komodo]

Anyone ever heard of DMEs charging for downloads?

HELL YEAH!

My DME charged me $100!!!!!!!!

At least they TRIED to charge me $100. As soon as I got their bill, I called them up and raised Holy Hell with them!
They were the one who wanted the smartcard, so they could get payed from my insurance company. I told them that had nothing to do with me, and if they wanted to bill someone, bill the insurance company, NOT me!
It worked. I didn't have to pay them.

[LinkC]

I've never had to have the DME do it, but if I did I would EXPECT a charge.

They are providing you a service. And, if they print the report, they're providing a product. It takes time, resources and labor. Why would they NOT charge for it?

If they send it to your doctor, does he not charge for the appointment when he goes over the results with you? Where are the complaints about that?

(BTW, if your DME reads your card for "free", you can bet they make it up elsewhere...whether you use that service or not.)

[DoriC]

Sometime after the first month while we were still playing mask roulette the DME asked us to bring in our card when we came to p/u a new mask. When I asked why, she said they needed one download to prove compliance to Medicare. No charge to us but I bet they billed Medicare for it if there's a code#. We did as requested and were never asked again.

[Slinky]

I've never had to have the DME do it, but if I did I would EXPECT a charge.

They are providing you a service. And, if they print the report, they're providing a product. It takes time, resources and labor. Why would they NOT charge for it?

If they send it to your doctor, does he not charge for the appointment when he goes over the results with you? Where are the complaints about that?

(BTW, if your DME reads your card for "free", you can bet they make it up elsewhere...whether you use that service or not.)

Hey, LinkC, if you change doctors or are sent to another for referral, tmost all doctors send your medical records to the next doctor at no charge. "Professional courtesy". If you request that a hospital send your medical record to other than the admitting or ordering doctor, it is sent at no charge. Again, "professional courtesy". BUT, if you request a copy of a medical record or test/procedure results you are often or usually charged. HIPAA restricts this to a "reasonable fee". AND if you have a lawyer request those medical records the charge just went up astronomically. Do you get the feeling that the medical profession doesn't like lawyers?? But then, what about us? They aren't particularly fond of us either, but we are a necessary evil since we bring in the insurance payments?