Dr., Sleep Lab, DME - all the same

[imfletch]

When I went to get my cpap unit, the DME had a "transparency" document I had to sign. It stated that they had divulged to me that the Sleep Lab was operated by the physician group that had referred me and that those same doctors also owned the DME and the techs were their employees.
Is it normal for these disparate elements to be "all in the family?"
Do these facts create any possible future concerns for which I should look out?

[Pugsy]

Medicare?

Medicare cares. It's against the rules for a doctor to refer you to a DME that he has a financial interest in or even if a member of his family has a financial interest.

That said...it's not really a problem as long as you are happy and as long as they accept whatever Medicare says they should accept because Medicare would pay the same (thus your co pay would be the same) for another DME down the road. Allowable fees are set my Medicare.
Now if the doctor/DME doesn't take Medicare assignment and you end up owing a whole lot above Medicare's allowable amount..then there's a problem and that should have been cleared explained to you up front.

[imfletch]

Alas...many years before I am eligble for Medicare.
My company's insurace carrier is United

[ArmandXP]

[mcdover]

When I went to get my cpap unit, the DME had a "transparency" document I had to sign. It stated that they had divulged to me that the Sleep Lab was operated by the physician group that had referred me and that those same doctors also owned the DME and the techs were their employees.
Is it normal for these disparate elements to be "all in the family?"
Do these facts create any possible future concerns for which I should look out?

If Medicare is your insurance, they cannot sell you any equipment, it's illegal. As far as your questions, it's not uncommon, but at the same time, I wouldn't expect very good service. Never heard of a setup like this where the patient didn't end up finding someone else after a short while.

[Pugsy]

I don't know if United will care or not...
unless you have a major problem with them I don't think it would be any big deal.
Should you end up not liking them for some reason all you have to do is find out from United who else in your area is in the network and you can get further supplies from someone else.
You don't have to buy your supplies from the people who sold you the machine unless you want to.
My DME for masks and supplies has never sold me a machine.

So you aren't married to them if you don't want to be.

[chunkyfrog]

I'm not surprised UHC has capped rental now.
A few years ago, they denied every other claim, due to "bookkeeping errors", most of which were their fault.

[jdm2857]

I'm not surprised UHC has capped rental now.
A few years ago, they denied every other claim, due to "bookkeeping errors", most of which were their fault.

If a customer made the same type of "errors", insurers would call them "insurance fraud."