Apria... this can't lead to anything good. See photo.

[chunkyfrog]

When they asked me to update my cc#, I firmly pointed out my supplement is a plan F,
which means I have no out of pocket costs except those not covered by Medicare.
and I have no intention of buying anything from them not allowed by Medicare.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Yes I also get and ignore the pink packing.
Every time I stop in for anything the ask once politely for my CC and I either act like I did not hear or politely decline. There were only a couple visits where they asked a dozen times, once was when I got my new ASV (rental) machine.
It is still not clear if it is a 13 month or perpetual rental. After month 14 they will have a difficult time ever trying to retrieve it, with a monthly rental of $389, they will have collected full retail value based on pricing I found on PR web site.

Hi Bwexler: You should sort out that rental/lease agreement Apria right now if you value your sanity. They may not be able to repossess your machine but they can and probably will send your paperwork to a collection agency and that will certainly be a bigger nightmare, that is, if you're interested in keeping your credit score satisfactory. Also, that's a crazy high amount to pay for one month rental, IMO. I got my 10 hour old ASV for about two and a half of your monthly payments. I'm not bragging, just a point of information for other potential machine buyers out there.

[70sSanO]

Well I learn something everyday.

When I got my S9 I ended up getting a new mask every 3 months.

I am gone over 3 years on my mask, hope to get at least 2, 3, 4... more years, but I have replaced the cushion. I have 3 new masks sitting in the closet, so I admit I have not keep up with the times.

On a side note... I have never understood the logic behind frequent replacement plastic masks, other than mfg and DME bottom lines. If the plastic (polycarbonate?) is not biodegradable and will still be here 1000 years from now, how come it is no good after 3 months of of use. I realize that the soft goods, cushions, headgear, and perhaps the anti-asphyxiation flaps need to be replaced, I just can't imagine the hard plastic wearing out.

John

[happydaz]

Maybe I am missing something, but you only buy supplies.

I've been with Apria for over a year and haven't really had any previous problems with them, mostly I think because I have Medicare and excellent supplemental insurance thru HealthNet. Why they now want my credit card number and why I got the 'pink blizzard' is beyond my understanding. Especially since nobody else at CPAPtalk has gotten it. Anyway, I'm NOT going to fill it out and send it back, even if it costs me my 'supplies only Rx'. Maybe if I didn't have supplemental insurance that would explain why they are hounding me for a CC#, sort of understandable so they wouldn't get stiffed in a future transaction... however I do supplemental. Strange.

Maybe I'm missing something... I have medicare with a supplement - UHC - Plan F. I never paid one penny for the sleep study, the machine or any supplies I've ordered in the past. I don't expect to pay one penny in the future.

I'm still unclear about your supplement or what it is supposed to pay - but, since Apria sort of stinks, why do you stay with them? They have more complaints than any other DME!

You say "maybe if I didn't have supplemental insurance that would explain why they are hounding me for a CC#". No, it would not! Why don't you just go some place else with your RX for supplies only? There are 3 that I know of where I live. If I had a problem with the DME I use, I'd go to one of the others.

I don't understand what your supplement actually pays or what it is. What do you pay for it yearly or monthly? What does it do for you? You know that once you are on Medicare you have 2 times a year to change your supplement policy, year end or on your birthday.

[Redonthehead]

I have Cigna insurance who contracts with Carecentrix, who subcontracts to Apria in my area. Sounds like a fiasco in waiting.

Apria sent me a letter four months ago wanting my CC but Carecentrix said "no way do you want to do that! Apria is paid by us."

I haven't ordered anything in a long time - we'll see how the next round goes. I believe there is another DME in my area that is "in network" for Cigna. Cigna accepted a claim from cpap.com, but declared it "out of network" so it was a waste of my time.

[Stevoreno_55]

Just got this today from Apria (see below) - it was stuffed in my big box containing two filters and a mask cushion. It goes on and on in small print for five whole pages about rental agreements, disputes in charges, return procedure and other lawyer diarrhea. A lot of it is about how they need my credit card number to effectively process my orders, followed by more blah, blah, blah. I had a feeling something like this was going to happen and now it has. I'm just wondering if I can change my DME provider without alienating my sleep doctor? (he has an obvious sweetheart deal, so I'm told) Did anyone else get this blizzard of pink paper from Apria yet? BTW, I am not renting or leasing a machine... I just get masks, hoses and filters from them. My Rx is for supplies only. I bought my PR machine outright here on the forum and got a great deal, thereby saving a ton of money. Strange days ahead for Apria clients I suspect.

That's the only thing I didn't like about Apria Healthcare; those pink packing slips with the faded blue print on them which you could barely read. I think I'd start looking for another DME. As I stated previously in the 6 years that I was with Apria Healthcare they never asked me for a credit card number to keep on file; never.


Stevoreno_55
MS Gulf Coast
05/07/14

[bwexler]

I have until Nov (13th month) to sort it out. I have talked to Apria a couple times and my insurance provider, a Medicare Advantage plan, and never got passed double talk. Since the insurance pays 100% of that ridiculous rental fee! I will continue to work on it in small bites so it does not drive me crazy. I will eventually escalate it to whatever level is necessary to get it resolved. Apria did bill me $14 for a humidifier water tank that they offered me without prior authorization. The last time I asked the insurance coordinator at the docs office to fix it, she said there is no such bill.

Yes I also get and ignore the pink packing.
Every time I stop in for anything the ask once politely for my CC and I either act like I did not hear or politely decline. There were only a couple visits where they asked a dozen times, once was when I got my new ASV (rental) machine.
It is still not clear if it is a 13 month or perpetual rental. After month 14 they will have a difficult time ever trying to retrieve it, with a monthly rental of $389, they will have collected full retail value based on pricing I found on PR web site.

Hi Bwexler: You should sort out that rental/lease agreement Apria right now if you value your sanity. They may not be able to repossess your machine but they can and probably will send your paperwork to a collection agency and that will certainly be a bigger nightmare, that is, if you're interested in keeping your credit score satisfactory. Also, that's a crazy high amount to pay for one month rental, IMO. I got my 10 hour old ASV for about two and a half of your monthly payments. I'm not bragging, just a point of information for other potential machine buyers out there.

[chunkyfrog]

Medicare claims take a bit of time to process; the supplement may take less,
but they have to wait until after Medicare is finished.
Not really unreasonable unless you are unable to mentally process the concept of "it's in the mail". --
Some of these oafs have no patience whatsoever!
--(and some may be hoping for a chance to double bill without getting caught--
or at least to steal the interest on your money for whatever time it takes to straighten up THEIR mess)

[Sheriff Buford]

I have been using Apria for several years since they bought out my previous DME - Praxair. I get one "pink" receipt in the box when I receive my supplies. I am currently working with them in getting a Resmed Vpap, so I'll won't be sayin' anything bad about them. Especially, since the NSA may get wind of my response OR Obama may sic the IRS on me....

Love Ya' Apria.... I really do....

Sheriff

[Pugsy]

I have until Nov (13th month) to sort it out. I have talked to Apria a couple times and my insurance provider, a Medicare Advantage plan, and never got passed double talk.

See what you can find about Durable Medical equipment in the little booklet your Medicare Advantage plan sends out in terms of payment for services. Mine changed it from a rent to own to a perpetual rental (clearly states I would never own it) but it may vary with whatever company your Medicare Advantage plan is through. Of course if you never have any out of pocket costs you may not care ...but as you know Medicare Advantage plans can change how or what they pay every year.
Now it doesn't matter to me because I bought my machine privately but if I hadn't and I was forced to do perpetual rental then I would either find another plan or buy out of pocket because mine says 20% copay on DME equipment.
Medicare Advantage plans vary a lot between companies and while they mimic Medicare on a lot of things they don't have to if they don't want to.

[chunkyfrog]

Medicare won't pay for dental care, hearing aids, and most glasses.
I believe it's only a matter of time until they won't cover cpap--or anything past the bare minimum.

[xyz]

ems:
> There are people who fall for this type of thing all the time.

I don't fall for anything ever. But my local Apria office recently said "no checks any more." So it's credit card or nothing.

Someone will ask, why don't you buy it from cpap.com?

A1: For covered items, my insurance pays almost all the bill. But I still have a small co-insurance. Which I can no longer write a check for. And I don't want to give them my CC number. Screwed.

A2: For non-covered items, I do buy from cpap.com.


bw:
> Every time I stop in for anything theY ask once politely for my CC
> and I either act like I did not hear or politely decline.

But the point is, how do you pay, exactly?
(Assuming that you have some balance.)

[chunkyfrog]

I would assume cash?

[xyz]

You know what they say about the word assume.

Besides, cash would require a round trip drive to an office.

And since it's Apria we're discussing, don't you just know that after that drive, you'll find that your order will have some kind of a problem.
I guess lol would not be appropriate here.

I'm trying to find a solution to this recent payment dilemma.

[Pugsy]

I guess I am lucky. My DME bills my insurance (a Medicare Advantage plan that is likely to change each year with whomever gives me no monthly payments ) and sends me a bill in the mail for my 20 % copay of the allowed amount after my insurance has paid them...and I send a check. I never get a bill until insurance has paid. I just now realized that never once have they even asked for a credit card. Coming on 5 years now at the end of this month (time flies).
They won't order the Tap Pap for me ...that's my only gripe with them but they do carry the AirFit P10 which I can also use. I do go pick up what I want but it isn't out of my way as I often go to the Walmart just up the street from them. When I lived in town they would hand deliver to my house but I live out of town now and I don't expect home delivery of a replacement nasal pillow (I got that when I lived in town).