Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Saltcedar · Post by **Saltcedar** » Sun Aug 28, 2022 2:37 pm

~I am moving to new state.
~Current DME from where I rent the Resvent iBreeze 20a that I have now does not have a presence in new state.
~I am to return my Resvent to the local DME before I move.
~I'm in touch with a DME that has a presence in numerous states, including new state.
~I want an OSCAR-compliant machine, therefore my desire for a Resmed (as well as for its track record for quality).
~I am told by the new, prospective DME that there is such a long waitlist for Resmeds to rent that it could be three+ months for my turn to come up. Or I can get a Luna right away.
~Alternative: I can buy a Resmed 11 from the DME now for $725 if I buy it outright instead of going through insurance and rental process.

My dilemma:

~Wait for three or more months to rent a new Resmed via Medicare, and not enjoy the benefits of the CPAP therapy?
~Pay big bucks out of pocket now for a new Resmed?
~Get on the rental waiting list, but for a Plan B, look for a used Resmed on a reliable platform?
~Perhaps another route I haven't considered here?

Any thoughts or personal experience that you'd like to share that I can put into the mix for decision-making?

The $725 outlay, although doable, is still a significant outlay for me.

NOTE: My sleep apnea is 'mild' by the numbers, but the consequences of my apnea affected the quality of my life.

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Sun Aug 28, 2022 2:48 pm

Check your local Craig's List and Facebook Marketplace for a used machine. I see ResMed machines on Marketplace all the time. Then when you finally get a new Machine through Medicare you will have a backup machine.

lynninnj · Post by **lynninnj** » Sun Aug 28, 2022 3:33 pm

Saltcedar wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 28, 2022 2:37 pm
~I am moving to new state.
~Current DME from where I rent the Resvent iBreeze 20a that I have now does not have a presence in new state.
~I am to return my Resvent to the local DME before I move.
~I'm in touch with a DME that has a presence in numerous states, including new state.
~I want an OSCAR-compliant machine, therefore my desire for a Resmed (as well as for its track record for quality).
~I am told by the new, prospective DME that there is such a long waitlist for Resmeds to rent that it could be three+ months for my turn to come up. Or I can get a Luna right away.
~Alternative: I can buy a Resmed 11 from the DME now for $725 if I buy it outright instead of going through insurance and rental process.

My dilemma:

~Wait for three or more months to rent a new Resmed via Medicare, and not enjoy the benefits of the CPAP therapy?
~Pay big bucks out of pocket now for a new Resmed?
~Get on the rental waiting list, but for a Plan B, look for a used Resmed on a reliable platform?
~Perhaps another route I haven't considered here?

Any thoughts or personal experience that you'd like to share that I can put into the mix for decision-making?

The $725 outlay, although doable, is still a significant outlay for me.

NOTE: My sleep apnea is 'mild' by the numbers, but the consequences of my apnea affected the quality of my life.

Can you speak to someone like your doctor and ask them to submit a claim to Medicare on your behalf for reimbursement? Or ask your DME to submit to Medicare on your behalf?

Just grabbing at straws here but Medicare could potentially reimburse you if the claim is sent in properly ie whoever sends it it does not accept assignment.

EDIT: the last statement above should have a “?” after it. And I’m not certain what Medicare does and does not cover.

zonker · Post by **zonker** » Sun Aug 28, 2022 3:45 pm

you may want to send a private message to forum member lsat. he sells used machines quite often.

also, check the prices at secondwindcpap.

if i were in your shoes, i'd be looking at the 10 rather than 11.

Grumpy48 · Post by **Grumpy48** » Sun Aug 28, 2022 4:17 pm

I also second the suggestion to contact lsat. I got a preowned AS10 from him as a backup/travel unit and was pleased with the sale and the machine.

I got my original CPAP (Dream Station) while on Medicare. There was the three month trial period at which time I had a face to face with my doctor who confirmed to Medicare I was using the machine and the therapy was helping me. For a period of 13 months Medicare paid the rental to my DME, after which I 'owned' the machine. I'm presuming you are still within the 13 month rental(?) I don't know, but I'm curious if you are still within the 13 month rental period and you have a lapse of usage while waiting on a replacement machine, how would Medicare handle this? In the link below Medicare states they will pay for the rental if you've been using without interruption. Would they pickup the rental where you left off or would you need to start over? Perhaps your new DME could give some guidance on this if they haven't already.

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/conti ... re-devices

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sun Aug 28, 2022 4:32 pm

Grumpy48 wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 28, 2022 4:17 pm
I don't know, but I'm curious if you are still within the 13 month rental period and you have a lapse of usage while waiting on a replacement machine, how would Medicare handle this?

New machine, new supplier, new 13 month capped rental period...and most likely a new face to face requirement within first 90 days. New everything. Pretty much just like the first one never happened.

Saltcedar · Post by **Saltcedar** » Sun Aug 28, 2022 4:56 pm

I received my machine in March 2022, so I'm still in the rental period.
I had 100% compliance for the Medicare report.
Good question re: how Medicare would handle the gap between usage in current state and new state. I don't know. The new DME has been silent on this.

@zonker: why do you recommend the 10 over the 11? I'm not resistant to going with the previous model, but I am curious about the reason.

Thank you all for your thoughts thus far.

zonker · Post by **zonker** » Sun Aug 28, 2022 5:54 pm

Saltcedar wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 28, 2022 4:56 pm

@zonker: why do you recommend the 10 over the 11? I'm not resistant to going with the previous model, but I am curious about the reason.

not disparaging the 11. but it's new and for me, i'd rather stay with what is proven. i don't want to try something new just for the sake of new.

the 10 is tried and trusted. plus, if you are buying second hand, there will be more of it available compared to the 11.

hope that helps.

Saltcedar · Post by **Saltcedar** » Sun Aug 28, 2022 6:41 pm

@zonker: why do you recommend the 10 over the 11? I'm not resistant to going with the previous model, but I am curious about the reason.

... the 10 is tried and trusted. plus, if you are buying second hand, there will be more of it available compared to the 11.

Yes, both of your arguments are often true. Thanks!

zonker · Post by **zonker** » Sun Aug 28, 2022 7:16 pm

Saltcedar wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 28, 2022 6:41 pm
@zonker: why do you recommend the 10 over the 11? I'm not resistant to going with the previous model, but I am curious about the reason.

... the 10 is tried and trusted. plus, if you are buying second hand, there will be more of it available compared to the 11.
Yes, both of your arguments are often true. Thanks!

Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Re: Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Re: Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Re: Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Re: Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Re: Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Re: Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Re: Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Re: Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?

Re: Wait for a Resmed rental at new DME or buy a new Resmed outright at "cash" rate?