Can DME "Reuse" xPAP Machine?

[sleepycarol]

Blue Cross Blue Shield purchased mine without any qualms. Never had to prove compliance either. Called and asked if there was anyway to get them to pay for it since our insurance was lapsing in Dec. of 07 and I didn't want to start over with a new insurance company. They said sure no problem. They paid for it and I ended up owing less than $20.00 total for my apap.

[Karla1958]

I'm amazed with all this insurance talk and all the used machines around that nobody really wants. It's so impossible for a person without insurance to find a CPAP BiPAP or VPAP machine. Where are all these old ones? Shouldn't someone start some sort of organization that would provide poor and uninsured people with machines? It would just make sense instead of having them collect dust in a basement or attic. I also had the same thought about all the masks that people use for a few months and then discard when insurance buys them a new one. A poor person without insurance doesn't care if a mask has been previously used, as long as it was cleaned before passing it on to them. Couldn't some ambitious person organize a some sort of organization to help poor folks? There are always people on http://www.wishuponahero.com that need CPAP machines and masks and they just don't have the insurance. Heck, I was one of them and luckily Respironics came through with a "recertified" machine for me to use. The DME they found to get the machine to me did charge me for a mask (I'm pretty sure one of those returned used masks) and the $125 they charged seemed excessive when they knew I was dirt poor. I wish I could return it for my money back, but they seemed reluctant to deal with me further after I exchanged the first mask for another that fit better. But then Hans Rudolph was great and gave me their mask, which is the best fit. Thank god for the real givers- Respironics and Hans Rudolph!! The DME still seemed more interested in making money. Anyway, some ambitious person should collect these machines and give them to people that truly need them and cannot afford them. It's a shame the just because people are poor that they have to go without when so many masks and machines are just sitting around not being used. I'm still trying to find a person that is in need and doesn't have insurance to give the medium Hans Rudolph mask (really a large mask) that doesn't fit me. I wish I had the strength to organize something... but I'm still fighting the hypersomnia and, I'm afraid, losing this battle. Where is that old spirit of giving that so many have around the holidays? Oh well, just a thought.

Karla

[nobody]

insurance comps generally will not allow us to bill used machines (esp Medicare). Used machines are generally sold or rented to cash patients.

The second machine my dme gave me was used. Medicare has paid for it. Although, I suppose maybe Medicare doesn't know it was used. It only had a few hours on it, though, and didn't smell bad or anything so I accepted it.

[Wulfman]

I'm amazed with all this insurance talk and all the used machines around that nobody really wants. It's so impossible for a person without insurance to find a CPAP BiPAP or VPAP machine. Where are all these old ones? Shouldn't someone start some sort of organization that would provide poor and uninsured people with machines? It would just make sense instead of having them collect dust in a basement or attic. I also had the same thought about all the masks that people use for a few months and then discard when insurance buys them a new one. A poor person without insurance doesn't care if a mask has been previously used, as long as it was cleaned before passing it on to them. Couldn't some ambitious person organize a some sort of organization to help poor folks? There are always people on http://www.wishuponahero.com that need CPAP machines and masks and they just don't have the insurance. Heck, I was one of them and luckily Respironics came through with a "recertified" machine for me to use. The DME they found to get the machine to me did charge me for a mask (I'm pretty sure one of those returned used masks) and the $125 they charged seemed excessive when they knew I was dirt poor. I wish I could return it for my money back, but they seemed reluctant to deal with me further after I exchanged the first mask for another that fit better. But then Hans Rudolph was great and gave me their mask, which is the best fit. Thank god for the real givers- Respironics and Hans Rudolph!! The DME still seemed more interested in making money. Anyway, some ambitious person should collect these machines and give them to people that truly need them and cannot afford them. It's a shame the just because people are poor that they have to go without when so many masks and machines are just sitting around not being used. I'm still trying to find a person that is in need and doesn't have insurance to give the medium Hans Rudolph mask (really a large mask) that doesn't fit me. I wish I had the strength to organize something... but I'm still fighting the hypersomnia and, I'm afraid, losing this battle. Where is that old spirit of giving that so many have around the holidays? Oh well, just a thought.

Karla

Not impossible.....and already has been done.
There are lots of machines and masks for sale (or literally given away) by individuals and other sources.

Here's one:

http://www.awakeinamerica.org/

There are fairly frequent postings by people who want to sell their machines. If a person does a little research on what machines are worth and keeps their eyes open, they'll find plenty of them around to pick from.

Den