Dme insanely overpriced

[Hensbili]

Hi i'm new here. Got diagnosed with ahi of 129. After waiting for 1.5 weeks, i got the price for my cpap from the dme's billing comoany. The total cost is $1600+ or resmed airsense 10. I haven't met my annual in-network deductible so I have to pay the full amount. I am shocked at the price. That unit is only $808 here at cpap dot com. My out of network deductible is $4000 though. I HATE HATE HATE the freaking medical industry and my compnay by offering us only high deductible plans and increasing our insurance premiums. My company just took obamacare as lame excuse to switch us to 'consumer oriented' program.

[knothead]

Try "secondwindcpap.com", they have low milage units as well as new ones for a reasonable charge. Since your payin, might as well get a good deal.

[knothead]

You can also pick up some nice units on your city craigs list...be sure to check them out first.
They even sell some on this board, keep a watchful eye out, sometimes they sell fast.

[bwexler]

You already found a great source to get what you need for half the cost of the nice local DME. If you need to shave the price even more, you can check Second Wind dot com. They offer open box and lightly used machines at even lower prices.
Yes, the medical industry has become experts at ripping us off. And unfortunately in some cases after bankrupting us they actually kill us.

[Julie]

How could a Canadian dealer help with his insurance issues?

[palerider]

How could a Canadian dealer help with his insurance issues?

with his US insurance issues... but, then, we've kinda come to expect nonsense from "canadavoice".

I'm glad all canadians aren't so senseless. @ one of my favorite canadians

[Hang Fire]

I HATE HATE HATE the freaking medical industry and my compnay by offering us only high deductible plans and increasing our insurance premiums.

Your hate would be better targeted at the American population and what they eat and how much they sit on their butts.

Obesity rates are horrible and along with obesity comes metabolic syndrome, diabetes, heart disease, strokes, cancer and on and on.

Add on that nearly one of five still smokes.

What I am getting at is this country is having a major problem to pay for all the needed medical expenses - that is why your insurance "problem".

If you are normal rate and fit, then target your complaining. If you are overweight and sedentary, then shut up and get to work.

[Sleeprider]

Hi i'm new here. Got diagnosed with ahi of 129. After waiting for 1.5 weeks, i got the price for my cpap from the dme's billing comoany. The total cost is $1600+ or resmed airsense 10. I haven't met my annual in-network deductible so I have to pay the full amount. I am shocked at the price. That unit is only $808 here at cpap dot com. My out of network deductible is $4000 though. I HATE HATE HATE the freaking medical industry and my compnay by offering us only high deductible plans and increasing our insurance premiums. My company just took obamacare as lame excuse to switch us to 'consumer oriented' program.

Even though you will pay the entire amount as deductible, the DME can only charge the "allowable" charges under your insurance plan. You need to contact insurance and ask them what the allowable is for CPAP. It will likely be approximately the same that the amount charged by CPAP.com. In the final billing, you will see the DME invoice price, an insurance discount, and the net cost to you. Very unlikely you will pay $1600, and the full amount you do pay will apply towards deductibles.

Other than that, I share your frustration. You're doing the right thing to ask prices and compare, but you need to get the bottom line "allowable" cost for your plan.

[Pesser]

How could a Canadian dealer help with his insurance issues?

with his US insurance issues... but, then, we've kinda come to expect nonsense from "canadavoice".

I'm glad all canadians aren't so senseless. @ one of my favorite canadians

Who's your favorite Canadian.

[palerider]

@ one of my favorite canadians

Who's your favorite Canadian.

ohhh, don't put me on the spot like that I might have to say Brent Butt. though I also quite like Cheryl Bernard. to name a couple

and, thanks. that caused me to google brent, and to see what he's been up to, and now I see there's a corner gas movie I didn't know about... *scampers off to grab a copy*

[postitnote]

@ one of my favorite canadians

Who's your favorite Canadian.

ohhh, don't put me on the spot like that I might have to say Brent Butt. though I also quite like Cheryl Bernard. to name a couple

and, thanks. that caused me to google brent, and to see what he's been up to, and now I see there's a corner gas movie I didn't know about... *scampers off to grab a copy*

Brent Butt...sounds like a porn star name

[Hensbili]

Thanks for all the advice.

To the one asking whether i'm overweight, the answer is no. Yesterday i got a bill of $450+ for dental cleaning, xray, and dental exam. Certainly teeth has nothing to do with weight.

The billing company wanted to take my credit card number because they were going to charge the full amount to my card. I stupidly gave it after questioning the price. I asked 'it sounds expensive'. She gave me the breakdown 'the machine cost $800+ the humidifier cost $300'. I asked ' doesn't the unit come with the humidifier' she said 'yes, but the humidifier comes under a different charge code'. This is the first time i dealt with dme. After i hanged up, i couldn't help but feel duped so I called back to cancel it.

[chunkyfrog]

Only your insurance can/will tell you the REAL price. But there is still that deductible . . .
Just get your rx and send it off to our sponsors, (cpap.com), or secondwind cpap
Unless your previous medical expenses are very high, you are unlikely to meet your ridiculous deductible this year.
Cpap.com also sells return insurance for masks they sell (sometimes free)
This is a reasonable way to find out what works for you.

[palerider]

Brent Butt...sounds like a porn star name

"Butt" seems to be a more common name in canadialand... like the DJ for my favorite sunday morning show from Newfoundland is Danielle Butt.... of course. the HEB grocery story chain here in texas is named after ....

Harold E. Butt.... now.... er...

[Hang Fire]

Yesterday i got a bill of $450+ for dental cleaning, xray, and dental exam.

Are you learning from these experiences?

Who makes an appointment for services without knowing how much those services will cost? And then compares them to prevailing rates?