I won!!!

[cowlypso]

The DME was trying to restart my rental period when I changed insurance companies. They thought that, just because the new insurance company allowed a 12 month rental, that it was perfectly ethical and moral to bill for the whole 12 months, even though my old insurance company had already paid off 5 months. I had been told by 2 different branches of this DME that the rental period would NOT start over when I changed insurance.

After many, many phone calls, I finally got the call today that I won! They are giving me credit for the previous months that were paid. Of course there was a lot of grumbling about how much money they were losing by having to waive the extra 5 months of rental, but I don't feel bad for them at all.

[chunkyfrog]

The world's tiniest violin plays sour notes for them.

[JohnBFisher]

... Of course there was a lot of grumbling about how much money they were losing by having to waive the extra 5 months of rental, but I don't feel bad for them at all. ...

They did not loose rental. It's already been paid. They just lost the chance to gyp you out of an almost 50% increase in the cost. And if they continue down that road, be certain to inform them that you will contact your state's Attorney General. That's called "Breach of Contract" and is taken pretty seriously by just about everyone except DMEs, who too often seem to think a contract should only benefit them.

There are good and honest DMEs out there, but too many give the industry a bad name.

[KrisasMan]

Just goes to show why we need to move DME to the fair market... they think their customer is the insurance company, not you!

[chunkyfrog]

Why can't we just egg them?

[ems]

This thread has me thinking. I got my first machine in July, 11. In December, 2011 my doctor said she wanted me to use a different machine and asked the DME to exchange it. They did... but said the "rental" started all over again. I agreed at the time but now I'm wondering. Any input on this?

[torontoCPAPguy]

In these parts this would be clear cut, open and shut, FRAUD. Those that discussed the plot to begin the 12 month payment period again would be charged with CONSPIRACY. Now, given the fact that we do not have ALL of the facts, this is all supposition. I am assuming that we are talking about the DME spreading the payment for the CPAP over a 12 month period.

[Starlette]

@cowlypso - Congrats!

@ChunkyFrog - I'll buy the dozen eggs and you throw I can't throw

[Janknitz]

This thread has me thinking. I got my first machine in July, 11. In December, 2011 my doctor said she wanted me to use a different machine and asked the DME to exchange it. They did... but said the "rental" started all over again. I agreed at the time but now I'm wondering. Any input on this?

Was your old machine a CPAP/APAP? That's an entirely different machine than a VPAP and a different billing code. But if your old machine was also a VPAP then you were rooked.

[chunkyfrog]

I've got a good arm--terrible aim, though.

[ems]

This thread has me thinking. I got my first machine in July, 11. In December, 2011 my doctor said she wanted me to use a different machine and asked the DME to exchange it. They did... but said the "rental" started all over again. I agreed at the time but now I'm wondering. Any input on this?

Was your old machine a CPAP/APAP? That's an entirely different machine than a VPAP and a different billing code. But if your old machine was also a VPAP then you were rooked.

Okay... maybe I didn't get "rooked". The old machine was a CPAP. Thanks for clearing this up.