I called CPAP.com

It was suggested here that CPAP.com might work with insurance companies but sadly that is not the case.. But thank you for the idea though! The customer service representative told me they are strictly sale only. But interestingly I told her about wanting an auto and talking it over with my doctor. She said as long as you have a prescription for a cpap they will let you buy an auto if you choose. So this might be useful for those of you who can afford to buy it outright as you do not need a specific prescription for them to buy yourself an auto...

Howdy,

CPAP.com does not work directly with insurance companies, or "does not accept assignment" in insurance world slang. This is why they can offer such great prices and service.

However, CPAP.com does provide insurance complaint sales invoices and can email you instructions on how to fill out your claim form on request. If your insurance companies out of network payout is 60% of the purchase price, you can pick up an auto on the cheap! Be sure to check with your insurance company before going down this road.

Happy hunting.

Johnny

MichelleFL wrote:It was suggested here that CPAP.com might work with insurance companies but sadly that is not the case.. But thank you for the idea though! The customer service representative told me they are strictly sale only. But interestingly I told her about wanting an auto and talking it over with my doctor. She said as long as you have a prescription for a cpap they will let you buy an auto if you choose. So this might be useful for those of you who can afford to buy it outright as you do not need a specific prescription for them to buy yourself an auto...

That's correct. If you are paying out of pocket then all you need is a regular CPAP prescription. Cpap.com will set it up in regular CPAP mode and will send the clinician quick setup guide showing you how to change the settings on the machine so you can customize your therapy. I bought mine that way. If you do it this way then you can get an APAP using a very generic prescription so if you decide to buy a backup machine (or one for camping/traveling) you can get a basic non-data straight CPAP without having to get another prescription.

Hi Johnny.. I am sorry I did not fully understand that.. What is an insurance complaint sales invoice? And you were saying about out of network payout being 60% of purchase price then means I would pay the 40% myself? Of course if Blue Cross Blue Shield works that way.. Something to think about but since we live paycheck to paycheck I don't even know how I would scrape a couple hundred together for this.. My poor kids will not even be having a Christmas this year because we cannot afford it and it's killing me! Thanks for all your help..

MichelleFL wrote:Hi Johnny.. I am sorry I did not fully understand that.. What is an insurance complaint sales invoice? And you were saying about out of network payout being 60% of purchase price then means I would pay the 40% myself? Of course if Blue Cross Blue Shield works that way.. Something to think about but since we live paycheck to paycheck I don't even know how I would scrape a couple hundred together for this.. My poor kids will not even be having a Christmas this year because we cannot afford it and it's killing me! Thanks for all your help..

I don't have BCBS, but there have been many forum members that DO have them and have reported that BCBS is VERRRY good about reimbursing their insured.....like 80% or MORE.
The invoices that CPAP.COM creates with an order have the necessary insurance codes listed by the items so making up an invoice to get reimbursed is very simple.

Den

OH! So this means I would have to pay for it myself out of pocket and then BCBS would reimburse me when they want... Darn.. I just don't have that kind of money..

MichelleFL wrote:OH! So this means I would have to pay for it myself out of pocket and then BCBS would reimburse me when they want... Darn.. I just don't have that kind of money..

If you have a credit card (and have available credit on it), they MIGHT be able to get you reimbursed by the time your bill comes due. You'd need to talk to them about it and know your credit card billing cycle.

Den

I believe he meant "Insurance compliant sales invoice.

MichelleFL wrote:OH! So this means I would have to pay for it myself out of pocket and then BCBS would reimburse me when they want... Darn.. I just don't have that kind of money..

IF they want. My BCBS says "no". I can use their dme or pound sand.

ractar28...I'm curious...Do you have a plan that only allows you to use their providers? Most plans have 2 levels of coverage: a higher one for network providers, and a lower rate for out of network providers. Why wouldn't your insurance cover it at a reduced rate under the out of network provider category? I've dealt with a lot of insurance companies, including BC/BS, and as long as it can be documented that the treatment is medically necessary, you can usually get some reimbursement.

For those paying out of pocket, cpapauction.com can be a means of obtaining a machine at a discount, as can be Craigslist. You just never know what deals may be out there. I found a bilevel for $100 for a friend. And I once saw someone on Freecycle post that they needed a cpap machine, and they had one within the hour.

I am now on a new insurance. When I bought my first machine, I had about a 20% or 30% copay, can't remember exactly now. Made sense to buy thorough the "in network" overpriced supplier. I then bought a backup from CPAP.com that I love.

Now I am on a new insurance which tells me I am 100% covered in-network. Of course they only cover out of network (which they consider CPAP.com) at 50% after a $350 deductable. Not much benefit there is there?

The first time I had a heck of a time getting an auto out of them, this time my new insurance doesn't care what I get as long as I have a prescription. Haven't gone through with it yet so I don't have real numbers yet.

But I guess I will let them buy me one if they will and I will get anything else I need including backups from CPAP.com. Much as I hate using an overpriced brick and mortar, I can't pass up a "free" machine.

Now we will see if I really get it.