Laid off no more insurance

Snoredog wrote:

Goofproof wrote:

Bearded_One wrote:It may be worth it to get COBRA, it will extend your insurance.

For most people "COBRA" Bites. I used it to the max once, it took almost $800, a month out of my savings, during a time I was laid off for 5 years. For me it was a savings, but only because the medical bills and med's were over $1800 a month. For most people lives problems don't reach that level. Jim

yep its a ripoff, mine was going to be $400 a month, then I found BCBS catastrophic coverage for $200 a month with a 7500 deductible, finally I wised up to that waste and tried to remain healthy as I can, take my chances, figure if I have a catastrophic event like a heart attack, I'll show up at the ER like an illegal alien where full coverage is automatic.

When I die, my wife will go to the morgue to see if its me, on the tray, I've told her to say, "That's not my husband, but he looks good!" Jim

stacia123 wrote:

Snoredog wrote:

luke wrote: (10 bucks for 3 months supply of Lisinipril at Walmart ? )

Wally World here I come !

Yep and once you are set up, you can order refills online and if your prescription expires, they will fax over a request for a refill to your doctor, so you don't even have to go see them to get your script renewed.

You are a fount of information, Snoredog. I'm paying $15/month for Lisinopril. I'm going in to Wal-Mart tomorrow and see if I can transfer my script, that will save over $100/year.

Only thing is they are the brand-name ones so they come in them blue square plastic bubble packs which are a pain to pop the pill out.

OzarkTurtle wrote:After being employed at the same place for 18 years I was downsized and lost my job as well as my insurance. Ive been on CPAP for 5 months and since my insurance is no longer paying I need to try to purchase a machine somewhere. I currently use a Resmed S8 Elite II, are there any places to get a machine at a reasonaable price. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

I don't know if your problem is solved or not, but I found this info on another board. "There is growing awareness about the health effects of obstructive sleep apnea and the need for uninsured or low income sufferers to get financial assistance for help. For more information contact awakeinamerica.org."

I hope this helps!

First check with your insurance company. I had BCBS and when I faced a similar situation -- I had a my machine from the very end of August and insurance was ending at the end of December -- I called the insurance and asked if there was any way to convert the machine to a purchase instead of a rental. They were very helpful and agreed and all the rental payments were converted over into the purchase price. So if you still have insurance for a short window call and ask.

First 9 1/2 years I was on cpap, I didn't have insurance. You can do it. You won't get supplies replaced as often as insurance will, but you can get by.


JeffH

sleepycarol wrote:First check with your insurance company. I had BCBS and when I faced a similar situation -- I had a my machine from the very end of August and insurance was ending at the end of December -- I called the insurance and asked if there was any way to convert the machine to a purchase instead of a rental. They were very helpful and agreed and all the rental payments were converted over into the purchase price. So if you still have insurance for a short window call and ask.

This is what I've been wondering as I've read through this thread......why didn't/don't you just have them do an outright purchase? (Is it too late now?)

The rental situations only help the DMEs because they can make more money and the insurance providers because the contracts typically run past the fiscal year-end for the insurance provider and then the patient gets stuck with the deductible all over again. If they have a higher deductible, they would normally have been better off purchasing outright from CPAP.COM.

Den

I gather that some insurance companies require rental first to be sure it's going to a) work and b) actually be used.

m

mindy wrote:I gather that some insurance companies require rental first to be sure it's going to a) work and b) actually be used.

m

Yes, but the OP has/had been on CPAP for FIVE months.....that's more than enough time for them to determine "compliance".

Den

Mine was in the rental period until the middle of December when it was converted to a purchase instead of a rental so I was covered with the compliance. All I had to do was call and ask -- for those that have deductibles lurking around the corner come the first of the year you might check and see if you can convince them to convert to purchase instead of rental.

I just checked out the site that Babette gave you
http://www.youbuysell.com/medical/cpap-systems.htm
they list a Resmed S7 light $375. Maybe it's an auction? A while ago
I tried one of the Resmed machines out for a week and loved it.
If this model is the same and you check the screen before
noon each day it gives you some of your figures to see how
well, or otherwise, you are doing each night. That beats having to
hook it all up to the computer and work it all out yourself - especially
when you are not sure if you are working with the right info to start
with, as in my case!
Good luck in your machine and job search.