Want some opinions on DME bill

[sleepycarol]

I have received two bills ( same bill) from HomeAide Services. The bill isn't but $18.32 and I can pay it but have been dragging my feet for the following reason.

I got a script for "smart cpap with a pressure of 8 to 12". I didn't know any difference and went to HomeAide to get my cpap. I was given an M series Plus machine set at a pressure of 10. The same day as I picked up my machine I found this forum. It didn't take me long to figure out that my machine was not the prescribed machine. I called the DME and was told by the RT that she knew what she was doing. I had questioned her about bipap's and the difference between them and a cpap and was given some off the wall explanation that bipaps was a form of life support.

After about 2 weeks I went into the DME and asked if my pressure could be set to the prescibed 12. They refused saying that doctors ALWAYS prescribe a range of pressures and they find the middle number and use it. They told me I would have to go back to the doctor and get another script.

To make a long story short I fired that DME and went to a different DME. The $18.32 represents my copay for the month's rental on the Plus machine. I had the Plus machine for 2 weeks. The insurance paid for a month's rental to them and then turned around and paid my current DME for the rental of my apap.

I do not feel as though I owe them $18.32 for a machine that WAS NOT the prescribed machine. My feeling is to write them a letter explaining why I won't pay this amount.

Any thoughts as to why I should or should NOT pay?

[papoose]

Hi Sleepycarol,

Although you were cheated and misled, you accepted the machine and used it for two weeks. (The lesson learned is caveat emptor, or buyer beware.) Because they charge on a monthly basis (not a per diem), you technically owe them for one month, even if you returned the machine after two weeks.

If I were you, I would pay them, but also write to their chief executive, advising that you have reported their unfair business practices to your healthcare team, the Better Business Bureau, and a world of CPAP users. Tell them that their actions have cost them your continued business as well as untold other business. You might also send a copy to your state's attorney general, if there is a consumer complaints division. They take fraud complaints seriously and usually follow up.

Sorry this happened to you.

[Slinky]

I would do all of the above that Papoose suggested EXCEPT pay that $18.32. You had no way of knowing that you were given anything except the machine your doctor ordered nor did you have any way of knowing that they took it upon themselves to set a pressure other than what your doctor scripted. THEY stepped out of line in more ways than one and in ways that are subject to censure. Lettem eat the $18.32 and stew in the pot that your complaints throw them in. The powers that be might let them get away with providing an inferior machine but no way are they gonna get off lightly for setting the pressure other than what your doctor scripted. That's not to say that they'll lose their license to do business but whoever took it upon themselves to set the wrong pressure WILL be in hot water and will pay for it w/some type of censure.

[Gerald]

Carol........

Sometimes it's better to apply the lesson in the song done by Kenny Rogers, "The Gambler"......"Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run".

You'll spend more time on writing letters....trying to cause them trouble with regulators.....or trying to drive business away from them....than paying the $18+ bill and moving on.

You got "some" value out of their machine.....and I understand (more than you can ever know) that you don't appreciate being jerked around....but, sometimes it's better to listen to Kenny's advice.....pay the man....and move on. It's cheaper in the long run.

Please understand that I FULLY understand your feelings.....'cause there's hardly anyone who's more ferocious than me when I get jerked around......but sometimes it's better to retreat.....instead of diving headfirst into an expensive battle.

Gerald

[GrizzlyBear]

Gosh,

That sounds pretty rough. They are holding themselves out to be experts in this field. They knowingly supplied you with the wrong machine. As their patient/client you had a right to expect them to know what they were doing and to have supplied you with the right machine.

I'd tell them to go to b*****y, and you will see them in court. However, I live in Australia, not the US, and your courts do have a bit of an international reputation - so it's easy for me to 'talk', you're the one who might suffer the consequences.

Regards,

GrizzlyBear

[Slinky]

No one is going to go to court over $18.32, not even in the US! At worst they will turn it over to a Collection Agency and the CA isn't going to spend more than what they can possibly get to collect it.

Worst case scenario it will go on your credit record. And that is easily corrected by a written statement of your reason for refusing to pay to that credit reporting bureau.

Its not that difficult to file these complaints and writing the complaints can actually help get the frustration off your chest. I still say "I" would NOT pay it!

[jules]

write the letter,

write the check

use the check as TP and mail it afterwards

but burn the letter

[Wulfman]

Carol,

Chalk it up as $18.32 worth of "education".
They could leave something nasty in your credit files and that ain't worth it.

You got off a lot cheaper than many others.

Den

[GrizzlyBear]

Oh, rats,

My heart is with Slinky on this, but my brain is with Wulfman. I hate to let some cheating scumbag get away with what effectively amounts to theft, but if they can screw up your credit rating for such a small amount (and Slinky's right, neither the DME nor you are going to run a court case for such a small amount) it is probably not worth it.

Put the DME's name on a can and go and kick it down the street. Or spend a day or two parading outside their offices with a placard. Or get a frozen rabbit (we HATE rabbits in Australia, at least I do), wait for it to defrost (well, I guess if you can get an unfrozen one first, this would still work) and chop the hell out of it with a big chopper, screaming 'damn you *insert DME's name*'.

I've got lots of other helpful hints, if you want them. Indeed, even if you don't want them.

Regards,

Rabbit Choppin' GrizzlyBear

[MidnightOwl unlogged in]

How about both paying and complaining. That way your credit record is protected and you can have as much revenge as your free time and energy permits you. I'd certainly complain about not using the prescribed pressure - both unofficially to the referring doctor and officially to the state licensing agency. Or more likely I'd just dream of doing it but never get around to it. That's why I suggest paying the bill too.

But also only complain if it will make you feel better. I think you should assume that they will deny ever having said they always take the middle number, and that they will promptly lose the original prescription. If all of this will make you crazy it's better to walk away.

[dllfo]

Call the agency that governs and/or regulates their business, ask what your rights are. THEN you have some options. Pay or not.

Good Luck....

[rested gal]

They refused saying that doctors ALWAYS prescribe a range of pressures and they find the middle number and use it.

That is the biggest load of crap I've heard in a long time. I'd certainly tell the doctor what the DME did and said. That's bizarre.

[DanGr]

Even worse than this, they probably will want you to pay interest over it since it has been almost 5 months now! (you said you got it the day you joined this board)

For 18$ I would just pay as soon as possible it before they figure ways to cause you even more problems.

[Snoredog]

You better pay it, them aholes have your Social Security number and will NOT hesitate in dinging your credit history file.

[Slinky]

Oh, come on! IF that $18.32 is the only blemish on your credit record - AND - it is under dispute? Who gives a rat's rear?

A copy of the original script is available from the doctor specifically stating a pressure range. The DME provided a CPAP incapable of delivering a pressure range and at a SET pressure that was NOT one of the two numbers stated as the pressure range. What more proof do you need that the DME took it upon themselves to counter a doctor's script?

The DME can't even get by w/the excuse they thought the lower number was the EPR or C-Flex setting because those settings are 1-3, neither of which number was in the original script and neither can provide a 4 cms pressure under the set pressure. Remember the script range was 8 cms to 12 cms.