CPAP machine and insurance reimbursement

Hi all,
I think most of us have overpaid a lot for our CPAP machines through DMEs (I did that about 4 months ago). How does getting the machine online work with insurance companies? Does cpap.com take care of insurance billing or I should pay upfront and then ask my insurance for reimburesement? Do most insurance companies allow that?

FYI, I have Aetna PPO in Northern California.
Thanks.

snamvar,

After going through all the pre-approval red tape I called the person at my insurance who signed off on approving my machine and verified that i could purchase the equipment from an online provider. I did have to pay for my equipment up front myself and then submitted to my insurance company for reimbursment. In my case it really didn't save me any money but it saved my insurance several thousand dollars. I am much happier though with the equipment and service I've gotten from my online provider.

The incentive in the system is really not to go with the best deal for all concerned. That's why I think the high price, bad service DMEs must be buying a lot of fancy lunches for the insurance executives.

Since we are starting a new year and the new deducables will apply you may find it cheaper to buy online. I've heard many stories wher the online price was less than the deductable/copay at a DME.

You do have to pay up front and then get your insurance company to pay you back. The invoice you get from cpap.com contains all the information your insurance company needs from the transaction (Billing Codes, Tax IDs, etc).

Call your insurance company first and make sure they'll play ball so you don't get stuck with the bill.