Bait & Switch with Lincare supplies

[Cardsfan]

So I ordered my replacement long hose. My DME, Lincare, has previously provided me with Resmed products. I received a slimline hose that was made by AG Industries called Flex light tubing. Obviously not the quality of Resmed. Looks like I'm going to have to call Lincare first thing Monday morning.
Anyone heard of AG Industries? I don't want a knock off brand. It is too stiff and cheap feeling.

[Julie]

It IS a huge corp, but for Cpap supplies..?

[Cardsfan]

http://Www.cpap.com has the same AG industries hose for sale for $8.

[Wulfman...]

So I ordered my replacement long hose. My DME, Lincare, has previously provided me with Resmed products. I received a slimline hose that was made by AG Industries called Flex light tubing. Obviously not the quality of Resmed. Looks like I'm going to have to call Lincare first thing Monday morning.
Anyone heard of AG Industries? I don't want a knock off brand. It is too stiff and cheap feeling.

Oh yeah! They're a big outfit and have been in business since 1982.

http://www.agindustries.com/

http://www.agindustries.com/About

I remember looking them up some time ago when someone else had similar questions.
And, since they "OEM", it's quite possible that they manufacture name brand products for the big companies.

And.......what a SHOCK.......Lindontcare up-charging items???

Edit to add:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=100752&p=939510&hil ... es#p939510


Den

.

[Cardsfan]

My insurance was billed $78.42
Plan discount $60.
I owe $17.


I would still have owed the same amount if they sent me a Resmed. (which I believe lists for $32 on https://www.cpap.com) I'm calling them tomorrow.

[stephiemarie78]

I seriously doubt they will do anything, that's the tubing they stock and send out. I've been using it for several years. They charge the negotiated rate your insurance will pay, it's not brand dependant.

[Cardsfan]

Do you know for SURE they do not stock Resmed brand in the slimline? Or, do they stock it, and I have to specifically order Resmed? When I order a heated hose, Lincare sends the Resmed brand without asking for Resmed.

[chunkyfrog]

Because the Climateline is proprietary.
Nobody makes a third party hose that will fit.
Patents. Sadly, the non-heated hose is universal.

[stephiemarie78]

Yea for standard tubing it will be the AG tube. If you got resmed tube from them it was probably during your set up. I've been getting my supplies from Lincare since 09.

[LSAT]

It's like ordering a brand name drug and getting a genarac....that brand is fine...it works just like the resmed...been using the same hose for over 9 months now, and it's still like new.

[stephiemarie78]

Exactly, it might be stiffer then the resmed, but it works as it's intended too and holds up well. The only things you'll get from then that are "name brand" are the masks, and maybe the heated tubing and water chambers. Pretty sure most larger dme are the same. Lincare has a central distribution center than ships all the supplies. They can't carry all brands of tubing.... granted I haven't worked for them in over a year but, I'm sure not much has changed.

[Cardsfan]

Just talked to the rep in the distribution center at Lincare. She said the brand I will get from them for Slimline long hose is the AG brand, not Resmed. But, she said if I wanted to order the Resmed Slimline, I can do it through my local Lincare office. So, now waiting to hear back from the RT at my local office.
I have to special order my mask and it's parts through the Local office since the distribution center does not carry it either.

Steph- when I got the Resmed Slimline from Lincare, it was during my set up. You were right about that.

[BlackSpinner]

It's like ordering a brand name drug and getting a genarac....that brand is fine...it works just like the resmed...been using the same hose for over 9 months now, and it's still like new.

But you don't pay the brand name price for the generic.

[SewTired]

The only way to get the brand name slimline hose is to pick up your supplies at your local Lincare Center. Call ahead. I know my local one has them, but you can't get it through the ordinary supply chain. This is one of the reasons I am switching from Lincare another local place - the choices are fewer but I get the brand name that I want (and there is a difference!). Just call the supply number and tell them you want to return this piece of crap hose. As mentioned, you can buy AG at any of the online retailers for a lot less than your copay.

It is truly annoying when you can't get the equipment you want. There is nothing wrong with a non-brand name hose, but to say that it is 'just as good' ignores the fact that it isn't just as good. It is far more flexible which results in a more comfortable night for you particularly if you don't use a hose stand.

[Cardsfan]

I am trying to give a fair comparison here. The AG brand has a completely different feel to it. You know when you get a bottle of water from wall mart that is the generic bottle, when it is empty is you squeeze it a little it makes a cheap clicking cracking noise? When I bend the AG hose, it makes a noise. My husband could even hear it sitting across the kitchen table. (now he is impartial, and doesn't know the difference in the 2 hoses). I was just bending it like it would bend during a normal sleep night. The AG hose makes a noise.
It feels brittle and stiff.

Now, it might work just fine, delivering the air like it is supposed to. But if I have to use CPAP every night, I want the BEST equipment for my comfort as possible. And I don't have any faith in this brittle, stiff, noisy tube.