SWITCHED INSURANCE COMPANIES...HELP

[bigblacklexus]

Hello everyone. Recently I switched health insurance companies. Under my previous insurance I have had a cpap machine for about 3 years. I know that technically you are only soppossed to get a new machine every 5 years(thats the current rule for this new insurance I have a well) but my question is this. Is my new insurance company required to give me a new machine even though my machine under a prior company is only 3 years old?? I figured I would ask here rather than speak to my insurance company because I dont know if that is a smart question to ask them being that they might try to tell me that I need to stay with my old machine for another 2 years. How has this issued ben dealt with in the past by you folks? Does new insurance with a new sleep test automatically gaurantee a new machine always? Thanks in advance i will check for responses tommorow......Have a great day all

[kwikwater]

Not sure what your motivations are for wanting anew machine, but if you don't have certain features that interest you, I'd lean on the Doc that is ordering the study. if it's the insurance company order, same story. If somebody thinks a study is needed, convince them you need the bell & whistle. For instance, if you're looking for a data capable machine, let them know you're ready to take a more active role in your therapy. If they hold for for staying with the existing one, make them commit to replacing it if you have ANY trouble with it and cover any loaner machine cost if it should be needed. And as you've started, don't tell them what they don't already know on the age of the machine!! That doesn't work with car insurance any more as all the companies have access to your history. Don't know about health insurers. Good luck

[cpapquuen1]

answer: most insurances will not get you a new unit if less than 5 years. Wait it out, new things are on the horizon! There is hardly any differences between the unit you have now and the newer version.

[Wulfman]

Hello everyone. Recently I switched health insurance companies. Under my previous insurance I have had a cpap machine for about 3 years. I know that technically you are only soppossed to get a new machine every 5 years(thats the current rule for this new insurance I have a well) but my question is this. Is my new insurance company required to give me a new machine even though my machine under a prior company is only 3 years old?? I figured I would ask here rather than speak to my insurance company because I dont know if that is a smart question to ask them being that they might try to tell me that I need to stay with my old machine for another 2 years. How has this issued ben dealt with in the past by you folks? Does new insurance with a new sleep test automatically gaurantee a new machine always? Thanks in advance i will check for responses tommorow......Have a great day all

Anyway........
By the time you consider what your deductibles, co-pays and other costs will probably be, you'd be better off getting one from an online supplier like CPAP.COM or CPAPAUCTION.COM and paying out-of-pocket. That's the way us folks have been doing it.


Den

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi--I switched insurance after one year and got a new machine from the new Insurance company--no questions asked. I wanted to upgrade to a data capable machine from the Resmed Escape to the ELITE. They gave me one no problems at all and no new sleep study was required. I did need a new script from A doctor so my GP wrote me one and I got my new machine from APRIA. No co pays, no deductibles or anything it was all free. So you may be able to get an upgraded machine but looks like you already have a pretty awesome machine! Why are you wanting to switch?

C

[allen476]

No they are not required to give you a new machine. They will ask for a copy of the sleep study and/or prescription from the doctor to determine eligibility based on the date of the sleep study and/or prescription. Since you have only had the machine for 3 years, I assume that is about the date of your sleep study.

It really depends on the insurance company. I switched insurance companies after 2 years, I thought the same thing. I called customer service and was told not a problem. All I needed to do was have the prescription faxed to them. Was told no after that based on the fact I only had the machine I had for 1 year and 10 months based on the age of the prescription.

You could try to call them and see what they say. Worse case scenario is above.

Allen

[bigblacklexus]

Thanks everyone for responding. I will definately take into consideration everything that everyone has said. I was just curious as to what others experiences had been after switching insurance companies when their prior insurance had given you a machine that was not 5 years old yet. I guess after my sleep test i will see how things pan out. To Sleepless inaz I just wanted to test the waters basicly and see if i could actually get another machine. My machine now is fine but having a backup is always good. I have traveled with my machine and also had it with me during hospital stays. I had the experience of it being taken from my room when the doctors had me leave the room to run tests on me and that wasnt a good feeling. I was lucky in that a nurse had actually taken it out of the room because she didnt want anyone to steal it and she safe gaurded it for me at the nurses station. But you are right......my machine is fine so I am hopefull it will make it another 2 years and then at that point hopefuly my new insurance will give me a new machine......thanks everyone