HELP!

Lincaire told me that the only machine under contract with United Healthcare is the intellipap! I have a call in to my doc and will call the insurance company too. I feel like they want to give me a lower priced cpap that has data than the one I want.
* I just spoke to my ins. company and was told if I can supply the HCPC code for the machines I am interested in they will tell me if those machines are covered.
I am sure this is discussed somewhere on the board but I am too upset to search. THANK YOU!!!!!

I am pretty sure you can be assisted here. Some pretty knowledegable folks here.

Lincare is giving you a bunch of horse hockey. Don't fall for it!

* I just spoke to my ins. company and was told if I can supply the HCPC code for the machines I am interested in they will tell me if those machines are covered.

Here's the scoop. The following HCPC codes cover ALL basic CPAP, including data capable, auto devices:

• E0601 Continuous airway pressure (CPAP) device (e.g. smart CPAP, auto CPAP, CPAP)
  E0561 Humidifier, used with CPAP device
  E0562 Heated humidifier, used with CPAP device

So if you are interested in the state of the art S9 or PR S1 it's the same code as the Intellipap. If UHC covers the Intellipap, which is HCPCP code E0601, then they cover these too, they have the same HCPC code. Lincare gets the same amount of money from UHC whether they give you an old and bottom of the line machine, or one of the new state of the art machines. Lincare is just trying to make the maximum profit off of you.

Choose the machine you think will be best for you and stick to your guns with Lincare about getting it.

Then watch out for this next trick: If Lincare tries to squeeze more money out of you because of any price difference, don't pay it before checking to see if your contract allows them to do that--check with your insurance company to be certain. Some insurance contracts allow a DME supplier to charge the patient for the difference between the contracted price and the retail price, but most do not.

Just spoke with the RT at docs office and he called a rep from another DME and it sounds like I am going to get the cpap I want!! My doc said whatever I will be comfortable and hapy with he will help me to get!! The RT also said he will call the sales rep from old DME and explain why I chose another company!!!!

Just make sure it's fully data-capable.
Your insurance is going to get charged the same amount regardless of which machine you get (as per the previously listed insurance codes).


Den

Good for you. I hope your doctor and RT think twice before referring patients to Lincare again.

I love the stories where the good guys win

THANKS EVERYONE! I hope I really do win!!!