Gotta love insurance companies

[dadbar1]

My insurer (Tufts) just sent me a statement itemizing all of the allowances and copays for my brand new PR System One setup with supplies, etc.

After all is said and done, with their overblown prices, petty nonsense accounting games and allowances, my contribution will be $2.36 to the DME.

The statement was amusing. The insurer was charged for the mask, and separately for the headgear, even though this comes in one package as one assembly. There was even a separate charge for the filter as well as the humidifier chamber (doesn't one come with the system?)

I am thinking about sending the payment in quarters, taped to a piece of cardboard.

[sc0ttt]

I was pretty shocked at my statement as well, so I broke it down in detail - it seems like the DME jacks up the price by about 400%, then gives the insurance company a 75% discount so the insurance company can look like they're saving me tons of money. In the end, I paid about $450 out of pocket for a package that I could've gotten from CPAP.com for about $750 with no insurance. I wonder if the DME would give me the insurance adjusted price if I told them I'm paying cash.

[kaiasgram]

I am thinking about sending the payment in quarters, taped to a piece of cardboard.

I love it!
I just got an invoice from my DME, same thing about charging separately for mask and headger on a single complete mask assembly.

[chunkyfrog]

Read the fine print; cash payments may not be acknowledged by your supplier.
Mailed cash is frequently "lost".
Writing a check or sending a bank draft forces them to do more paperwork.
Credit card charges also incur a fee that they must pay off the top--
but it also gives them your card number.
Years ago, we paid off a disputed gas bill with dimes--
but we did it in person; when they still accepted cash.

[barrybd]

This thread brought up a question that I have been having about keeping my DME. For what I pay the DME, I think I could buy my CPAP new in about a year. Am I missing something? Is there any reason to stay with the DME rather than just buying a CPAP? I had my second appt today with the sleep Dr, and when I asked for a prescription for the CPAP, the Dr seemed stunned, like no one had ever bought their own machine. He kept asking me about what I wanted him to do. I would love to hear from others about the pros/cons of breaking the cord with the DME. Thanks!

[flyingwithoutwings]

I returned my "brick" to the DME and bought my own (full data machine) for a fraction of what it would have cost me thru them. When I returned it they in turn sent my PCP a letter stating that I was refusing treatment.
Sore losers!

[sc0ttt]

For what I pay the DME, I think I could buy my CPAP new in about a year. Am I missing something? Is there any reason to stay with the DME rather than just buying a CPAP?

It appears you're renting your CPAP from the DME. You can also buy them from the DME. When I went to my folks they explained that buying is about the same price as a year's rental.

You might want to rent if you're not sure what equipment you want and then you'll buy at some future time. Or you might want to rent if you'd rather have the monthly cash flow instead of one big payment.

But if you know what you want and the price is acceptable - go ahead and buy... from them or on-line.