DME Equipment Cost to Me ???

[Jimster]

I'm new to all this and especially when it comes to dealing with DMEs.

Should I ask for a Statement of Charges when I receive my equipment this coming Monday, or is that asking too much of the DME?

A friend of mind told me that he has never seen anything in the way of who paid for what or how his equipment was paid for, or by whom.

It's not that I don't understand "Company Overheads Cost", but wouldn't it be better to know, "How Much" as things went along.

Luckily I have insurance to fall back on, but is not knowing this cost that when it come to acquired equipment a good way to start off doing business with any company, especially one that you will be attached to for years to come.

[Pugsy]

You are new to all this.
Have you read this?
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/
and this
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

Yes, they should be able to give you an estimate of your expected charges.
You probably should also check with your insurance company don't count on them doing it.

If you have Medicare the expected allowable amounts can be found on the internet. I have last years but not this years but there won't be a lot of difference.

[cosmo]

I get a pretty good invoice with Apria/Kaiser.

This is one invoice I have on hand for a heated humidifier unit...

Member Liability - $0.00
KP Share Amount - $100

I know that I have 100% coverage (No payment), so its always 0 cost.


These younger generation are going to need that hearing aid coverage though. All that loud music blasting from their iPhones

[VVV]

Jimster, In this country we have a tradition of acting stupid when it comes to procuring anything medical. We would not buy a washing machine, a car, a haircut or a lawn renovation without first knowing how much it will cost. And the people selling us these things fully expect to tell us the price before we will buy.

But then when it comes to medical we don't demand to know beforehand and the medical profession acts like it is a damn unusual burden to tell us beforehand.

My advice is to stick to your guns and demand it! We need to get the market for medical working like it does for most other things.

That link Pugsy gave you should help you know what you are up against.

[BlackSpinner]

I'm new to all this and especially when it comes to dealing with DMEs.

Should I ask for a Statement of Charges when I receive my equipment this coming Monday, or is that asking too much of the DME?

A friend of mind told me that he has never seen anything in the way of who paid for what or how his equipment was paid for, or by whom.

It's not that I don't understand "Company Overheads Cost", but wouldn't it be better to know, "How Much" as things went along.

Luckily I have insurance to fall back on, but is not knowing this cost that when it come to acquired equipment a good way to start off doing business with any company, especially one that you will be attached to for years to come.

The reality is that YOU are not their customer. The insurance companies are. You are one of the costs of doing business with them, you are a "User". The fact that you cn take their business away from them by voting with your feet seems to be beyond their tiny mentality.

[photodork]

i would never purchase from a company that didnt provide pricing beforehand.
i would also contact my local better business bureau.

[cosmo]

They probably can't give you the amount until insurance comes back with the coverage amount and green light. Everyone has different levels of coverage so you wont know until its ready to ship out. That is just my guess.

[greatunclebill]

first of all you need to make sure the dme is in your insurance network. no matter what the dme wants to bill, your inurance will tell them how much they will pay and how much you will pay. so the dme can't tell you exactly what you will pay until they make a claim on your behalf with your insurance company. you really need to speak to your insurance company first, to see what you and they pay.

[Pugsy]

They probably can't give you the amount until insurance comes back with the coverage amount and green light. Everyone has different levels of coverage so you wont know until its ready to ship out. That is just my guess.

Actually they can give an amount if they would just take the time to make a phone call and do it.
Normal procedure is just to verify coverage though..not get into dollar amounts. Dollar amounts are available but it involves a bit of work to get them.
I used to do it all the time for people having surgery and wanting/needing to know what to expect out of pocket.
Sometimes the insurance companies won't commit to a dollar amount and it takes a bit of pushing to get the number but they will give it if pushed.

[fredr500]

DMEs are not used to educated consumers. When I told mine that I would not accept an S9 Escape he looked totally befuddled. I don't think anyone had ever told him no before. He immediately agreed to the next model up but refused to give me an Autoset. I then asked for the Rx so I could find a DME that would provide me what I wanted he went and got approval from "the finance department" and ordered me one.

I really don't think he ever had anyone that knew what they were talking about. And if it had been 3 days earleir I would have accepted the Escape. This board taught me a LOT in a short time and I am greatly appreciative of everyone (well, almost everyone) here.

[cosmo]

DMEs are not used to educated consumers. When I told mine that I would not accept an S9 Escape he looked totally befuddled. I don't think anyone had ever told him no before. He immediately agreed to the next model up but refused to give me an Autoset.

You can't blame the DMEs for trying. They have an incentive to give you the cheapest option. Its to maximize their profits. The manufactures are coming out with these bricks so they are more at fault.

[fredr500]

You can't blame the DMEs for trying. They have an incentive to give you the cheapest option. Its to maximize their profits. The manufactures are coming out with these bricks so they are more at fault.

Actually, I blame the DME. He was trying to prey on my ignorance and was surprised when I was educated.

The way I see it the manufacturers are helping those who have no insurance or high deductible and have to pay out of pocket. By providing a lower cost alternative they allow them to get help when they wouldn't otherwise.

Then the DMEs latch on to those machines to increase their profits.

[VVV]

Someday I will make a list and an accurate count, but I have spoken personally to at least 60 people who use CPAP. I asked every single one of them if they have software and monitor their data. Not a single one of them does and not a single one of them expressed interest in monitoring their data.

Now why the hell do you think DMEs would sell the more expensive machines to this type of customer base?

[cosmo]

Then the DMEs latch on to those machines to increase their profits.

This is capitalism. I don't like being nagged every time I'm at Target if I would like to save 5% if I sign up for their credit card. But the employees must ask anyways.

Look at all those brand new machines on craigslist.

It is business, don't take it too personal.

[tooter]

Someday I will make a list and an accurate count, but I have spoken personally to at least 60 people who use CPAP. I asked every single one of them if they have software and monitor their data. Not a single one of them does and not a single one of them expressed interest in monitoring their data.

Now why the hell do you think DMEs would sell the more expensive machines to this type of customer base?

I agree...I have 2 friends that use CPAP. Neither is interested in their data. One is relatively new and the other has been on CPAP for 10 years. He has neverseen a sleep doctor. He is on his third machine( Auto) and he has never checked his data. He has been on fixed 10 for all ten years. He doesn't need an Auto...he would be just as happy with the bare bones unit. I don't know why his DME gave him an Auto.