Against Medical Advice?!?!

I cash-purchased an ResMed Elite (for home use) and a ResMed Escape II (for traveling). Now that I have these two machines, I don't need the rental Respironics M-Series Pro from my DME. I called them today and was shocked with what I was told.... First, she told me to remove the integrated humidifier, it's mine and that the insurance company already bought it. "Ok", I thought and chalked it up for 'sanitary' reasons and have listed it on cpapauction.com to try and recoup some of the costs. Now here is the part that gets me....she said that when I return the machine to her, that I am going to HAVE to sign an AMA (against medical advice) form to return the machine. I am not going against medical advice. I am 95% compliant and am satisfied with my treatment....that is why I bought two machines out of pocket. She knows this but she still insists that I sign the forms to return the machine.

Has anyone else experienced this? Do I HAVE to sign the forms to return it? If I do sign the forms, will that have any repricussions that I should be aware of (i.e. Insurance not buying anymore CPAP stuff, etc.)

Thanks,

Kevin

Can you ask your physician's office for a note acknowledging your purchase and advising you that you can return the DME's machine?

That should clearly indicate to the DME that you are not returning the machine AMA.

jdm2857 wrote:Can you ask your physician's office for a note acknowledging your purchase and advising you that you can return the DME's machine?

That should clearly indicate to the DME that you are not returning the machine AMA.

I wish.....the 'doctor' that read my PSG is a man behind the curtain. I have asked for 2 months for an original RX and can't get one. Come to find out, my interpreting doctor is an ENT by day and does the readings as a side job. Messages left at his regular practice go unanswered. He is a totally different problem that I am dealing with right now....

I called the sleep lab that gave me the PSG and they said "sorry, we can't help, we just give the tests here, it's b/w you and them"

Maybe your PCP could help?

jdm2857 wrote:Maybe your PCP could help?

That's a good thought. I will give them a jingle in a few.

There was another thread in the past several months that had the same issue,
I haven't searched for it but
It had a great response!!!!!

Fred

Is this the thread? viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11871&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... ice#p98988

The thread I think I recall had a lot more discussion after the AMA statement from the DME.

but thanks for finding this one.

Return the machine. I don't think anyone can make you sign anything you don't want to. What are they going to do? Do you plan on buying anything from them again?

I would return the machine and agree to sign a statement that you returned the machine. Keep a copy. Refuse to sign a statement that says AMA.

Fred

I know what the Rooster would tell them, but many members would not appreciate me posting it here.

klockemy wrote:I cash-purchased an ResMed Elite (for home use) and a ResMed Escape II (for traveling). Now that I have these two machines, I don't need the rental Respironics M-Series Pro from my DME. I called them today and was shocked with what I was told.... First, she told me to remove the integrated humidifier, it's mine and that the insurance company already bought it. "Ok", I thought and chalked it up for 'sanitary' reasons and have listed it on cpapauction.com to try and recoup some of the costs. Now here is the part that gets me....she said that when I return the machine to her, that I am going to HAVE to sign an AMA (against medical advice) form to return the machine. I am not going against medical advice. I am 95% compliant and am satisfied with my treatment....that is why I bought two machines out of pocket. She knows this but she still insists that I sign the forms to return the machine.

Has anyone else experienced this? Do I HAVE to sign the forms to return it? If I do sign the forms, will that have any repricussions that I should be aware of (i.e. Insurance not buying anymore CPAP stuff, etc.)

Thanks,

Kevin

Did YOU switch DME's?

klockemy wrote:So I just got home from my DME. I must have been the luckiest guy alive because it didn't fit the horror stories at all. She was very attentive and explained things well, once she knew that I had done some studying, she gave me my choice of machine and masks. I just put the equipment on my profile. Next is the reader and software. Wish me luck on my first night as a hosehead.

Kevin

Is this the same one?
Really?

klockemy wrote:PS The DME was so cool that she gave me the new mask on exchange (no charge to insurance) and let me keep the Quattro as a spare.

Really?

klockemy wrote:Yeah, they did give me all the cushions. This is now the third mask the DME has given me and I have a fourth on the way, she is AWESOME for putting up with all my crap. Hopefully the F&P will work and she can give the liberty to someone else.

Awesome?
So What Happened?
What IS their name?
Really

Yes, it's standard DME lingo double-talk nonsense bullshit.

You make up your very own receipt and make THEM SIGN IT. Then submit copies of both receipts to your insurance and tell them what POS the DME is.

No worries. Don't let them bully you.

Cheers,
B.

Really wrote:

klockemy wrote:I cash-purchased an ResMed Elite (for home use) and a ResMed Escape II (for traveling). Now that I have these two machines, I don't need the rental Respironics M-Series Pro from my DME. I called them today and was shocked with what I was told.... First, she told me to remove the integrated humidifier, it's mine and that the insurance company already bought it. "Ok", I thought and chalked it up for 'sanitary' reasons and have listed it on cpapauction.com to try and recoup some of the costs. Now here is the part that gets me....she said that when I return the machine to her, that I am going to HAVE to sign an AMA (against medical advice) form to return the machine. I am not going against medical advice. I am 95% compliant and am satisfied with my treatment....that is why I bought two machines out of pocket. She knows this but she still insists that I sign the forms to return the machine.

Has anyone else experienced this? Do I HAVE to sign the forms to return it? If I do sign the forms, will that have any repricussions that I should be aware of (i.e. Insurance not buying anymore CPAP stuff, etc.)

Thanks,

Kevin

Did YOU switch DME's?

klockemy wrote:So I just got home from my DME. I must have been the luckiest guy alive because it didn't fit the horror stories at all. She was very attentive and explained things well, once she knew that I had done some studying, she gave me my choice of machine and masks. I just put the equipment on my profile. Next is the reader and software. Wish me luck on my first night as a hosehead.

Kevin

Is this the same one?
Really?

klockemy wrote:PS The DME was so cool that she gave me the new mask on exchange (no charge to insurance) and let me keep the Quattro as a spare.

Really?

klockemy wrote:Yeah, they did give me all the cushions. This is now the third mask the DME has given me and I have a fourth on the way, she is AWESOME for putting up with all my crap. Hopefully the F&P will work and she can give the liberty to someone else.

Awesome?
So What Happened?
What IS their name?
Really

Yup....this is the same DME....Sleep Management Solutions "aka SMS"

klockemy wrote:

I return the machine to her, that I am going to HAVE to sign an AMA (against medical advice) form to return the machine. I am not going against medical advice.

Kevin,
I strongly suggest you DO NOT sign a AMA notice..........Once you refuse the DME may note you returned machine and refused to sign the AMA forms. Sometimes when patient's leave medical care...diagnostics or treatment...before "discharge" from the physican, insurance will refuse to pay and ALL COSTS ARE BILLED to the patient. Many of us will have signed an agreement not to leave the sleep study until it is completed/or understanding insurance may not pay if sleep study was left before completion......this is an AMA agreement...insuring payment to sleep clinic. This DME is likely attempting to secure their cost/profits from the machine at your expense. If you refuse to sign, you maintain easier ability to challenge being charged by appeal. Call you insurance and without identifying yourself ask what if there is an AMA policy for home health care or DME. Your physican would not be able to reasonably say you left treatment since you have your own machine and are compliant...until this is resolved just print copies of your compliance data. If needed, you can show you have maintained "compliance" beyond the DME return. I suspect this all is an empty threat, but best to be proactive.

elg5cats