How do I change providers?

I am now officially through with Lincare. After seven months now of dealing with local offices shackled by lack of assistance from the national Billing team and two months of working with iCare and being told to expect a call "By tomorrow afternoon" multiple times, I have to move on.

What is the best way to find a new equipment provider and get everything transferred over?

First, get a list of network providers from your insurance.
You can then call those providers to find out who answers the phone, and will provide what YOU want.
I asked Apria for my records to take to the new provider.
Then I carried the folder in to the new guys, and they called my doctor for any "fresh" records they need.

You should check with your doctor/hospital medical records and get a copy of your Sleep Study and your prescription. With these in hand you can send copies to where you want to buy your equipment. If you want to use insurance you will have to use one of their approved providers.

You don't have to get anything "transferred over". You just need a copy of your equipment order/prescription sent to the new DME. Just call your Dr. and have them forward it to the new DME. Lincare, Apria, and 2 online DME's all have copies of my prescription.

Cardsfan wrote:You don't have to get anything "transferred over". You just need a copy of your equipment order/prescription sent to the new DME. Just call your Dr. and have them forward it to the new DME. Lincare, Apria, and 2 online DME's all have copies of my prescription.

I agree with this unless you have Medicare. You HAVE to transfer over stuff to get Medicare to pay for it. Just taking your prescription (and even a copy of your sleep study) won't do it.

SewTired wrote:Just taking your prescription (and even a copy of your sleep study) won't do it.

Fact is even tho we call it a prescription it is a "Detailed Written Order" that we are referring to. And while it is certainly a good idea to get copies of all these things from the doc and/or sleep lab, the DME will not issue anything until they get a copy directly from the doc or sleep lab, let's call it the "issuing authority". That is what takes so long. The copy we provide gives them the contact info but most won't even order any equipment until they get a signed DWO directly from the "issuing authority".

It is always good for the patient to maintain copies of notes, orders, etc in case the need to change providers surfaces. It is also a good idea for the patient to know, understand, and have memorized who makes their equipment, what model it is, and what settings are used to provide treatment, ie. pressure, ramp, humidity settings, etc.

If you're on Medicare and switch DME providers, you have to turn in your machine, get a new one from the new DME, and begin all over with a new 13-month rental period.

Guest wrote:

SewTired wrote:Just taking your prescription (and even a copy of your sleep study) won't do it.

Fact is even tho we call it a prescription it is a "Detailed Written Order" that we are referring to. And while it is certainly a good idea to get copies of all these things from the doc and/or sleep lab, the DME will not issue anything until they get a copy directly from the doc or sleep lab, let's call it the "issuing authority". That is what takes so long. The copy we provide gives them the contact info but most won't even order any equipment until they get a signed DWO directly from the "issuing authority".

It is always good for the patient to maintain copies of notes, orders, etc in case the need to change providers surfaces. It is also a good idea for the patient to know, understand, and have memorized who makes their equipment, what model it is, and what settings are used to provide treatment, ie. pressure, ramp, humidity settings, etc.

Curious why you have stopped logging in and have been posting as Guest?

Hopeful50 wrote:If you're on Medicare and switch DME providers, you have to turn in your machine, get a new one from the new DME, and begin all over with a new 13-month rental period.

UNLESS, of course, you have completed your capped rental.

chunkyfrog wrote:

Hopeful50 wrote:If you're on Medicare and switch DME providers, you have to turn in your machine, get a new one from the new DME, and begin all over with a new 13-month rental period.

UNLESS, of course, you have completed your capped rental.

Yes, wait until you "own" your CPAP, outright, then switch if you're on Medicare (or would otherwise have to turn the machine over and get a new one).

EXCEPT if you were stuck with a brick--then GOOD RIDDANCE!

The first thing you need to determine is the status of your current equipment. Are you renting it or do you own it. If you are renting, how long before you own it.
If you like your current equipment and it turns out you are renting it, there is no reason to change anything, except where you get your supplies. This ass u me s you will own it after you complete the payment schedule. My current insurance never allows me to stop paying rent on DME. I will never own anything they help to provide. Sadly I have had to replace some previously owned equipment and I chose to pay out of pocket after loosing the battle with the insurance company multiple times in 2016.

If you want or need new equipment follow the good advice above get copies of your prescription and sleep study and contact your insurance so they can provide you with a well documented list in network DMEs and how your cost will be determined in 2017.

Next determine weather going through insurance is worth while or if buying out of pocket is more economical. Then pick the appropriate DME.

Hopeful50 wrote:If you're on Medicare and switch DME providers, you have to turn in your machine, get a new one from the new DME, and begin all over with a new 13-month rental period.

My wife and I are on Medicare and switched from Lincare to Rotech last year. We did not have to turn our machines in. She did have to have Lincare pick up her oxygen concentrator and Rotech bring out a new one. We already owned our machines since we were way past the 13 month period.
Rotech is supplying the filters, hoses, etc for our machines.

Hopeful50 wrote:If you're on Medicare and switch DME providers, you have to turn in your machine, get a new one from the new DME, and begin all over with a new 13-month rental period.

Very good point - you don't actually own your machine provided by Medicare if you are within that 13 month rental period. That's why it usually doesn't pay to switch providers until after that is settled unless you are having trouble with the machine itself.

EXCEPT if you were stuck with a brick--then GOOD RIDDANCE!

So true!!