CPAPtalk.com

People seem to forget that DME's are businesses just like any other business. Typical charge from a DME for a CPAP is anywhere from $1500-$3000. IF you want to go to CPAP.com and buy your equipment, great do it. But to say it should be illegal, I say the government has screwed up our country bad enough with all of its laws and regulations. Just because you aren't familiar with CPAPs doesn't mean that you shouldn't shop around. That would be like a 16 year old saying that a car dealer should go to jail because they saw the same car elsewhere for $1000 cheaper. This is the American way, like it or not. If your company isn't competative, find another one. Another thing you have to think about, DME's just like sleep labs have to charge much more than the "going price." This is because insurance companies will only pay a percentage of the total. IF anyone needs regulations its the insurance companies. They are the ones that dictate your healthcare, not your doctor. IF insurance companies weren't such bastards everyone would be much better off, patients and doctors alike. Its a lawyers world, and until that changes the common people will always be the ones getting shafted. Now on saying this, I do feel bad when people get shafted. Thats why I hand out a form with all the companies that treat patients good to every patient. It includes a couple websites as well.

Also another thing to think about, CPAP.com does not have as much overhead as local DMEs do. A local DME would be happy to put out 100-120 machines a month. After you pay 3-4 employees, taxes, and your bills that doesn't leave as much money as some of you may think. Its a good living, but its not like the owners drives around in a Rolls Royce.

polysomnohateme why don't you just can all the drama and pick a username?

Look around, obviously people need protection from "the American way", since "the American way" seems to be dishonesty and greed at any cost. More regulation is needed, not less. The problem is electing honest politicians, which seem to be in very short supply.

Medicare has been paying our DME $295/month rental fee since August 2008. When I told the DME a few weeks ago to put in a claim for the total purchase since we were going to keep the apap, they told me Medicare must pay the rental fee for 13months(medicare law) rather than pay less for the full purchase price now.(She wouldn't tell me how much less). You can do the math, almost $4000. When I called Medicare to ask if this was true, the lady said yes but agreed it was a stupid law(not her words exactly!). She also let it slip that Medicare will pay an additional claim to the DME when the machine is purchased outright at the end of the rental period. Another example of why our healthcare system is dying.

There is a lot of fraud with our health care system. I've been very happy with Medicare because they often bring the charges down to Earth. If you are uninsured they really sock it to ya. Once I had to go to the ER and they didn't get my Medicare information. They thought I was uninsured and charged me nearly 3 grand for them doing a few blood tests. They charged for things that they didn't even do, it was so crazy. If I hadn't had Medicare I'd be stuck with that outrageous bill. Medicare at least brought them back to reality and dropped the charge way down to a reasonable level. I wish they could be prosecuted for fraud, but unfortunately it was my word against theirs. The same employees that had been on notice for months that their jobs are on the line because the hospital is losing money were the ones who decided what to charge people. THAT is what is wrong with our health care system - tons of fraud and waste.

DoriC wrote:Medicare has been paying our DME $295/month rental fee since August 2008. When I told the DME a few weeks ago to put in a claim for the total purchase since we were going to keep the apap, they told me Medicare must pay the rental fee for 13months(medicare law) rather than pay less for the full purchase price now.(She wouldn't tell me how much less). You can do the math, almost $4000. When I called Medicare to ask if this was true, the lady said yes but agreed it was a stupid law(not her words exactly!). She also let it slip that Medicare will pay an additional claim to the DME when the machine is purchased outright at the end of the rental period. Another example of why our healthcare system is dying.

nobody wrote:polysomnohateme why don't you just can all the drama and pick a username?

Look around, obviously people need protection from "the American way", since "the American way" seems to be dishonesty and greed at any cost. More regulation is needed, not less. The problem is electing honest politicians, which seem to be in very short supply.

I can't remember my password, and besides that I was just passing through. There is no drama, just the drama you are trying to cause. Why are you so worried about me all of the time anyways? Is it your way of getting around the fact you know I am right? Besides, It lists who I am regardless of the name I have, off of my IP address. Why don't we stick to the debate at hand, and stop worrying about little things like signing in okay?

As for the American way, the American way is what got us into the mess we are in right now. For example, when the government forced subprime banks to give loans to Californians who couldn't afford their $1.5 million dollar 1000 square foot homes. Thanks for the laugh about electing honest politicians. Its still making me smile. I have yet to see a honest politician. Of course maybe being from Illinois where Governors sell senate seats has something to do with my doubts of politicians. I am guessing you probably are a liberal. Who the hell wants the government to intervene in their lives if they don't have to? Are you unable to think for yourself? You have to have big brother do all your dirty work? Its the regulations in healthcare and the greedy lawyers and insurance companies that have ruined healthcare. Suing somone for 500,000,000 for wrongful deaths, for mix ups in the ER, that type of thing is what is ruining healthcare. Illinois can't even get Neurologists because the malpractice insurance is so high. Maybe you should start a business of your own, and then you can have someone step in and control your profits until you go out of business. It makes me laugh to here so many people complain about costs. Are you even aware that the majority of hospitals do not even break even at the end of the year? Oh yes, they are soooooooo rich. Thats why small hospitals are selling out to big corporations everyday right?

polysomnohateme wrote:DME's just like sleep labs have to charge much more than the "going price." This is because insurance companies will only pay a percentage of the total.

And the uninformed mis-information continues... (sigh)

Every insurance company I've dealt with pays a negotiated (or "contract") amount. It is not dependent upon any percentage of what the provider bills. Insurance (and my co-pay) is the same regardless of how much or little is on the bill. There may be some tax advantage to the DME by showing a "loss" on the transaction, but I don't know that. I DO know it's NOT because my insurance pays by percentage.