99503 RESPIRATORY THERAPIST VISIT

Looking at my shipment tracking for a new CPAP machine that was shipped online, I see multiple line items, and I can recognize all of them except this one

99503 RESPIRATORY THERAPIST VISIT

What's the purpose of a visit from respiratory therapist? (CPAP being rented through insurance company, but I pay the cost until deductible is met).

danis wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2019 1:52 pm

Looking at my shipment tracking for a new CPAP machine that was shipped online, I see multiple line items, and I can recognize all of them except this one

99503 RESPIRATORY THERAPIST VISIT

What's the purpose of a visit from respiratory therapist? (CPAP being rented through insurance company, but I pay the cost until deductible is met).

The only thought I had about this is, when a new PAP machine is given to a patient, that technically they offer the RT to set up the device for you.

When I was receiving my new ASV PAP device, I was called by my DME and was told that the RT was going to come to my place to set it up. But there was a confusion in my situation, and there was no therapist available from the DME to come to set up my device on the weekend my device was arriving . . . So, since I wasn't new to PAP, they just set up for me to pick up from the DME, and the RT met with me for a few minutes to show me how the new device works . . .

After a few days, I realized that I required additional training on the new device since ResMed is not similar to the Respironics, and set up an appointment with my RT to give me some training . . .

Ummm, would this mean your going to get a visit from a respiratory therapist?

To some of us, there would be very little point if any from a visit with a RT but for people who are really new the goal would be they would walk you through all the procedures of your machine, help answer any questions you might have...

My exsperiances with 4 RTs so far is they try and go through a canned check list with about as much enthusiasm as a high school kid who was given extra homework.

Obviously your milage may very and you might get a RT who's helpful and knowledgeable and teaches you something about your machine.

However if you never see a person and you or your insurance is billed for a "hands on visit from a respiratory tech" I'd cry fowl and get them to void those charges. Also let the insurance know they payed for something you never got. I dont think they would be thrilled with that.

Rest well,

Gryphon

Thank you beautifuldreamer and Gryphon

This is very helpful.

You might have paid for it anyway.
Any time a DME offers a "service", ask if there is an additional charge.
They will try anything.

The set up and fitting is usually part of the machine purchase price. I would challenge that cost.

LSAT wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2019 2:58 pm

The set up and fitting is usually part of the machine purchase price. I would challenge that cost.

Oh, HELL yes!

They MIGHT be charging for the set up of the machine to your prescription and possibly reading the data to report compliance. But if they didn't actually lay eyeballs on you (either in the store or at home during delivery) then this MIGHT be a fraudulent charge. I'd call the DME and give them a chance to explain (and possibly remove it from your bill), then call Medicare and see if they agree that is a chargeable visit if they didn't actually work you directly.