Standard rental Period

[jrv331]

First time CPAP user. My dme is Lincare and is accepted by insurance if that matters. Lincare is telling me that they have a standard rental period of 13 months for the machine. Is that about normal for non medicare rentals?
Thanks

[Pugsy]

You need to check with your insurance yourself to find out what sort of rental period, if any, that they require.
Some insurance companies will mimic Medicare but others may have entirely different requirements.
Some insurance companies don't even do a rental period. It's all up to each insurance company and the particular plan you have.

[GumbyCT]

My dme is Lincare

Honestly, I would ask my insurance what other DMEs are in network. Make notes. Then call the others. Many DMEs will lie to get your business so beware.

[jrv331]

Good advice, I will call the insurance Co tomorrow. Thank you for the replies

[jrv331]

I called my insurance provider. My DME is in my insurance network and has a standard contract length of 13 months. My insurance co says my policy provides for 6 months and the machine is mine. There is no other local DME in network. Does the DME have to follow the insurance time frame or is it up to them. I almost feel like they’re using the standard Medicare 13 month length, not my insurance time frame, which will cost me more out of pocket.
Any suggestions other than another DME ?
Thanks

[Pugsy]

Contact your supplier and explain that your insurance is a 6 month rent to own and you expect that they honor their contract with your insurance company and not use Medicare's standard contract.
The DME/supplier has to honor their contract with your insurance company. They can't substitute the Medicare contract.

If they give you push back....call up your insurance company and let them handle it. They can explain to the DME what they have to do.

[jrv331]

Will do, hopefully my insurance provider will have better luck explaining it to them then I did.
Thanks

[Pugsy]

Well.....there is a reason that many of us refer to LinCare as Lin(Idon't)care.
They have to honor their contracts with each insurance company though. They don't get to just use another insurance contract requirements just because they want to change things unilaterally.

Sic your insurance company on them....I don't know if this qualifies as insurance fraud or not but I wouldn't hesitate to be shouting out those words.
Just like you have a contract with your insurance plan/company and you can't go changing it just because it isn't convenient for you the DME can't go changing their contract.

[chunkyfrog]

When faced wth a disagreement with my (now former) DME,
I called my insurance while at the DME, and had them straighten it out over the phone.
Worked like a charm.
You might want to drop these crooks as soon as possible.

[jrv331]

Unfortunately Lincare is my only in network local DME. Maybe after I'm more comfortable with my setup I'll ditch them, but right now I want a place where I can actually go in an talk to someone face to face if I have an issue.
Appreciate all the help
Thanks

[chunkyfrog]

Never rule out a road trip for major purchases.
The bullfrog and I drove 60 miles for my current hearing aid.
We just drove over 600 miles to replace the traction battery in our 2010 Prius.
No matter where you get your machine, the local outfit cannot refuse to sell you supplies.
If they refuse, tell your insurance on them.
You can make THAT call from the DME's office.
I love to see bad people sweat.

[Janknitz]

I called my insurance provider. My DME is in my insurance network and has a standard contract length of 13 months. My insurance co says my policy provides for 6 months and the machine is mine. There is no other local DME in network. Does the DME have to follow the insurance time frame or is it up to them. I almost feel like they’re using the standard Medicare 13 month length, not my insurance time frame, which will cost me more out of pocket.
Any suggestions other than another DME ?
Thanks

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER take a DME's word for anything related to insurance. They either lie, or they don't know what they are talking about. 13 months is standard for Traditional Medicare, so often they "THINK" that's the correct answer to everything. Actually, your insurer's contract with the DME is what matters. So if your insurer says six months and it's yours, that's the correct answer. If you get a bill for the 7th month, then complain to your insurer, as the DME has to follow the contract it has with your insurance company, and to continue to bill you for monthly rentals after that period is fraudulent.

And no, they cannot continue to bill you because THEIR contract with you requires a 13 month rental. That's called "balanced billing" and it's illegal in most cases.

However, be prepared. You will most likely have to satisfy your annual deductible again in January, despite the rental contract.