Getting signed up with Medicare/Humana

This question has probably been beat to death but searching is not helping me...live in Montana..got early medicare due to asbestosis of lung from my infected little town--on cpap for 2 yrs..after horrible study went on line and got my stuff and did my own therapy and the rest is history...but..now I need some new mask parts or full mask and want to put it on medicare /humana but every place I use to get stuff from says they are cash and carry only.....medicare totally makes my stress level max out at the kill mode so ...question...where do I start to sign medicare/humana up to cover now and future costs for my life support machine? thankyou in advance Marlene

I may be wrong, but I think Humana is an HMO (also known as Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part C). You need to use a preferred provider if that is the case, and the doctor must specify the equipment. They may require you to have a new sleep study.

In any case, start with your doctor to get a prescription and then call Humana to find out which DME's you may use and what the procedure is for getting equipment. Better yet, call Humana FIRST, so you will know what to request from your doctor.

I agree with calling Humana and seeing what DMEs are in their network. Do you have the list of providers they should have sent you? Durable Medical Equipment Providers should be listed in that book. You could also look on line. But calling would certainly be easiest.

Thank you...I first get lost in all this medicare stuff then I get upset at the games they play....I really hurt for the people down the line who will be signing up for it ....didnt sign up for part D in beginning and now will get a penalty for the rest of my life for it--how sad is that.. Thanks again for the response.

I'm not surprised you're having difficulty. I signed up for Humana Advantage once. What a mess! I couldn't get away from them fast enough. Took me four months to fire them.

Our union 'fired' United healthcare at work, due to poor, squirrely service (no offense intended to squirrels)
Now, DH is pushing for AARP, which IS United. Anyone know if they're as bad with Medicare supplement as they were as a PPO?

chunkyfrog wrote:Now, DH is pushing for AARP, which IS United. Anyone know if they're as bad with Medicare supplement as they were as a PPO?

My mother used AARP until last year and due to her age and cost of premiums we opted for a Medicare Advantage plan. She didn't have any problems with the AARP supplement plan through UHC she had for several years. It just got really expensive and adding part D on to it really hurt.
Medicare supplements are pretty cut and dry no matter whose policy it is. No real wiggle room for them when it is a plain ordinary Medicare supplement.
It is when we get into PPOs, Advantage plans and such where there is a lot more confusion.

In my area, Humana only uses Apria for DME supplies. Ask here what people have experienced with customer service from Apria. Forewarned, and all that.

Humana has a national exclusive contract with Apria. The exception is if there is no Apria covering your area. You'll be charged out of network rates with a different company, about double.

You'll need a Medicare qualifying sleep study. You'll need office notes from your physician stating that you're currently using and benefitting from your CPAP. If your first study doesn't qualify under Medicare guidelines you will need a new diagnostic study.

Humana pays 80% of DME benefits. You'll be responsible for the other 20%. The good news is, if you're interested and can afford the 20%, since Humana has never paid for one, you could get a new machine, and if you have your doctor script the machine you want, can get whatever machine you want.

Just an FYI, if you change from Humana to traditional Medicare, you'll again need face to face notes from your physician. A letter, or an addendum to previous notes are not acceptable.

Under Medicare, if you sign up for a Part C (Medicare Advantage plan) you may save money but give up a LOT of control Generally, Medicare Advantage simply DOES NOT cover things unless you use an in-plan provider--doctors and DME. So you are stuck. You can't try another DME if the one you have is bad. You may lose what choice you would otherwise have in machines, and you may be limited to a "formulary" of masks. If something you want isn't on the approved list for your Medicare Advantage provider, or you want another DME, too bad--you don't have that covered.

If you have questions and want to understand a Medicare AB and D supplements or Medicare Advantage plan better, look on the back of your "Medicare and You" booklet for the 800 number for the local SHIP or HICAP program. These are FREE counseling programs that will help you understand your medicare benefits, compare plans for open enrollment periods, and help you resolve disputes with Medicare. If you can't find that number, look in your phone book (SHIP in most states, HICAP in California) or call 1-800-MEDICARE for the number.

Remember that once you sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan you are stuck with it until the next enrollment period. So choose carefully during open enrollment periods.

Humana Medicare is a PPO and is the best Insurance that I have ever had. I get my choice of DME's and get all of my supplies per the Medicare schedule at 80% of the cost paid by Humana. I could not possibly ask for any better Insurance.

Thanks folks for all the help..love this board...I am only 62 so cant sign up for anything supplemental from medicare as I have to be 65..I got early medicare due to abestosis of lung from the town I live in....so Humana was the only thing i could get...I will do the research now..thank you again