Looking for new DME (Medicare)

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Bikerjsa
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Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:57 pm

Looking for new DME (Medicare)

Post by Bikerjsa » Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:23 am

When I started on Medicare about three years ago, my doctor chose Lincare as a DME. I've never been particularly happy with them - their ordering interface is primitive at best and many of their agents are clueless - but now I've had it. I received a bill from them the other day for CPAP machine rental (Part B deductible) in January and February of 2021. Taking 18 months to get around to billing me is unacceptable.

So I am wondering if anyone can suggest an alternative. I had Apria through a previous insurance plan many years ago and they seemed OK, but maybe there is a better one out there.

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LSAT
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Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Looking for new DME (Medicare)

Post by LSAT » Sat Aug 06, 2022 8:36 am

It doesn't have to be a National Company. Check with some local DMEs and ask if they accept Medicare. I have been dealing with a very small local company for 10 years. I can call them in the morning and pick up my order in the afternoon.

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Julie
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Re: Looking for new DME (Medicare)

Post by Julie » Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:42 am

We call your previous dealer (co., not individuals) Crapria... if that tells you anything. :(

Bikerjsa
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Re: Looking for new DME (Medicare)

Post by Bikerjsa » Sat Aug 06, 2022 10:07 am

Julie wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:42 am
We call your previous dealer (co., not individuals) Crapria... if that tells you anything. :(
Heh. Yeah, that says something. It also explains why my doctor kind of winced when I suggested them. Thanks!

Bikerjsa
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Re: Looking for new DME (Medicare)

Post by Bikerjsa » Sat Aug 06, 2022 10:08 am

LSAT wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 8:36 am
It doesn't have to be a National Company. Check with some local DMEs and ask if they accept Medicare. I have been dealing with a very small local company for 10 years. I can call them in the morning and pick up my order in the afternoon.
Thanks. I found one or two that I am going to call Monday.

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SleepGeek
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Re: Looking for new DME (Medicare)

Post by SleepGeek » Sat Aug 06, 2022 2:01 pm

Bikerjsa wrote:
Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:23 am
When I started on Medicare about three years ago, my doctor chose Lincare as a DME. I've never been particularly happy with them - their ordering interface is primitive at best and many of their agents are clueless - but now I've had it. I received a bill from them the other day for CPAP machine rental (Part B deductible) in January and February of 2021. Taking 18 months to get around to billing me is unacceptable.

So I am wondering if anyone can suggest an alternative. I had Apria through a previous insurance plan many years ago and they seemed OK, but maybe there is a better one out there.
If you have original Medicare you will have more choices. I think Medicare with a co-pay is the way to go. My co-pay pays anything that Medicare pays - no questions asked.

If you have any of the many Medicare Advantage plans you will be better served to call and ask them who is in network for you.
The Advantage plans are so much more restrictive and can vary from county to county within the same state.

But as mentioned I would avoid Lincare, Apria, and most of the major nationwide companies.
Billing problems and just poor service is the problem with most of them.

Oh and avoid giving them a credit card - if you have no choice use a Pre-Paid card to avoid getting billed in error.
If you have co-pay insurance there is no reason for a credit card as it will only serve to help their billing mistakes.
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remoo1
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Re: Looking for new DME (Medicare)

Post by remoo1 » Mon Aug 08, 2022 1:59 pm

I am very happy with aeroflow.

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