Complaints about Lincare

I was so disgusted with Apria that I just gave up on them - - my success has been acomplished on my own as opposed to any help from them. My list is very long as I have tried to work with them for years, but my favorite one recently was calling them to order a new mask cushion for a Mirage Quattro. I explained that all I needed was the replaceable cushion not the whole mask, which by the way is one of the great features with this type of mask - you only have to replace parts, not the whole thing. So Apria's reply is: we have no method to order the parts, all we can do is order you a new complete mask. That was the straw that broke the camel's back - from now on it cpap dot com

Lincare must be different in different areas. I have had nothing but excellent service from them.

I don't know if their prices are in the ball park, but their RT was invaluable to me in picking a mask. He is a hose head himself so he understands how important mask selection is. The machine got was a little better than a brick, but did not have full data capability. After a few months I picked up another machine that gives more data and keep my initial one for a spare.

Please this only applies to the xPAP side of Lincare.

There are a few good individuals who work for these companies and a lot of lousy ones. The biggest problem is actually getting to even speak to anybody in a local office who's knowledgeable and helpful. Most of the time you end up with a call center or a machine.

I, too, have had a problem with Lincare. I received my CPAP machine in November, I was told I had to make 10 monthly payments, however I declined and paid all the "payments " in full during the time of delivery of the machine. I think all is well until April rolls around and they tell me I owe them 85 dollars a month since January because it is billed to the insurance companies monthly and my deductible started over and insurance was not paying. I called the billing office many times with my concern. I was told it is "the policy holders responsibility" to know their insurance coverage. I called my insurance company in November to make sure my machine was covered and it was. My problem is not with the lack of coverage, my problem is with the way it was billed to the insurance companies and I was never informed of the way it was billed, how is that my responsibility? Now I am getting phone calls telling me my balance is getting bigger and I need to pay. I paid 50 dollars last month and 20 dollars this month, that is all I can afford. I paid my portion in full when I actually had the money which is why I did it the way I did. I know this can not be the first time this has happened to someone and I got no compassion what so ever from the billing rep. I can't be the first person and I know I won't be the last so why is it not explained better on how it is billed (not the coverage itself) at the time when they can clearly see I paid my portion up front and it was nearing the end of the year. It is easy " your insurance covers 80% and it is billed monthly until paid in full" That simple sentence would have at least alerted me to ask questions. I know there is nothing I can do about it now, but I want to make people aware how this works.

After getting my first machine through insurance, I bought the second and third out of pocket.
---Online, from our hosts (thank you, Johnny and Carolyn)
This reduces stress so much more than I can say; and I found good-fitting masks much more quickly.
After 2.5 years of quietly avoiding insurance and local DME games,
I feel I can prevail with the knowledge I have gained here.

File a grievance/fraud claim with your insurance company.

What does Lincare say they did with the excess payment?

Since we are on the subject, my opinion is to stay completely away from American HomePatient.

Four days after starting CPAP, the mask American HomePatient measured me for caused bleeding, excoriation, and eventually an infection on the bridge of my nose. As the respiratory therapist (RT) mentioned during the equipment fitting, I called their store immediately Monday morning at 0930 to explain I was "excoriated and bleeding on my nose from the CPAP mask."

They never returned my early Monday morning call about bleeding until 10:30am on Tuesday. I went into the store Tuesday morning to speak with the Manager and was interrupted by the RT who stated "we were taking care of some important patients in the store on Monday." I informed her that I may not be important to her but I certainly was important to myself. I then asked where I was on the importance list and what could I do in order to move to a higher level.

Everyone in the store spun the entire event like it was my fault that they didn't offer better service. The RT had the gall to say "I should have e-mailed her because she checks her e-mails throughout the day." I reminded her that her instructions during the equipment fitting were to call her with problems and that I wasn't even aware that she had a e-mail account.

I further added that if she had so much time to be on the computer checking e-mails every day, why couldn't she take one moment to look at her important phone messages. Chirp, chirp. No reply.

I don't believe this company has had five minutes of training for customer-focused care. If they did, it certainly doesn't show. The words: I'm sorry, We will strive to be better, I would be frustrated also so let's fix this, Is there anything immediately that will help you as we made a error, are just not in ther vocabulary.

I'm at a loss as to why they would treat someone whose age is in the mid 40's so rudely. We are talking about a lifetime supply of equipment for someone in their 40's.

I wrote a letter to their headquarters in Tennessee and to go along with their awful service, they don't reply to complaints.

I returned my equipment pronto and utilized CPAP.com

Buyer beware at American HomePatient.

TheWino

I am a Lincare customer at the moment, but seriously thinking of changing. I am a COPD and systolic heart failure woman who is in desperate need of a portable concentrator. I have a terminal ill husband who needs me to fill his needs and it is to much for me to hook up the C tanks and go do the necessary things I have to do for him. I requested a portable concentrator from the Woodinville Wa., office months ago and now they tell me because of the sequester you are not releasing this product. We have to suffer for your selfishness and greediness. I have informed my insurance company, BBB, and my attorney. I need to hear from you ASAP or my attorney will start a procedure on my behalf.......This is a serious situation in my case.

AHP-MHR in Lincoln has removed the "extra" pillows from Swift FX masks for at least two friends, that I know of.

anyone have an opinion on how Lincare is in the Mpls-St Paul area? They are one of 3 bidders who got the medicare competetive bid in my area (Apria and one local one are the other two) and I will be on Medicare in a few months. My current DME complained at my initial visit that they have tons of paperwork to do to get the patients' info to the successful bidders.

I can't comment on Lincare and mask parts, but the last DME I worked for used to be able to order cushions, frames, headgears separately. The company I work for now can't order the parts separately anymore. Due to some insurance changes we send out whole new masks every 3 months.

I've been informed by At Home Medical that they're no longer my server. due to Medicare rules.
I'm offered Lincare & Aperia. After reading all these bad reviews. I'm not sure whether I want to deal w/them.
But where should I order my supplies? What a pain.. aside from needing to go see my Dr, whom I dislike, to get a new prescription
& the required documents.

Any suggestions?

You could hit a good one. It's at least worth a shot.
Some of these offices have been called to task by the "main office" and others;
speaking of which, if a provider refuses to sell cushions/parts for masks they do sell,
a call to the mask manufacturer may be in order.

I am sorry I did not find this site sooner. I am out only 38$ and will never deal with Lincare or the out of network place they deal with which owns the equipment. I was referred to Lincare Inc who is preferred provider(in network) by my physician for a home sleep test(Overnight Pulse-Oximetry). I went into their office to pick up the equipment and was advised how to use it and than signed a paper for receiving it. I have now received a bill from Instant Diagnostic Systems who is NOT a preferred provider saying that they own the equipment and it is just "delivered" through Lincare Inc. and I will have to pay them. Although this charge of $ 38 from this out of network provider is very small, I feel that I was a victim to a scam, since I thought I was dealing with a preferred provider. I just really believe Lincare Inc and company Instant Diagnostic Systems(who says on their website they have "ACCREDITATION:The Joint Commission") have misrepresented themselves and are just out to make a buck. That is alright - I will never intentionally deal with either one of these companies again.

Hi, New here.
I deal with Lincare too. Did they come over to your house and drop off an overnight pulse oximeter for you to wear on your finger to check your oxygen levels? They ask the doctor if they can get this on anyone who is short of breath, or a potential oxygen client. DME companies such as Lincare can not perform the test themselves for conflict of interest, so they have to use an outside source such as Instant Diagnostics, etc.

Also, if you can't afford your bill, ask them if you can fill out a financial hardship form. If you qualify, lincare will pay the cost your insurance doesn't cover.

Hope this helps!