CPAPtalk.com

I think that your doctor meant that you need to be careful because it is not the same corporate influence as the AMA.

Don't let anyone fool you into thinking that all of these studies are not driven at least in part by the corporate side of the medical industry.

Case in point... I have a great doctor who has helped me through every issue and I applaud his efforts. A number of years ago I tried different cholesterol medications and found that I got muscle pain or difficulty recovering for a muscle pull, etc.

Finally found one that works in a low enough dose with no side effects and have been taking it for over 3 years. I have lost over 60 lbs and my doctor thinks I am dong great.

A recent "long awaited" study published by JAMA now has new cholesterol guidelines that recommend lower levels which in turn leads to more and higher use of cholesterol lowering drugs. My doctor wants me to consider changing my medication and increasing my dose. I'm not really interested in the JAMA flavor of the month.

John

I’m a public accountant. One of my clients owns a big hotel. He tells me that the doctors all gather in there at this time of year and get the best wine, accommodations, service, etc… Presumably they are there for a conference. Of course the drug reps are there too. At the end of the four days my client gives the bill to the drug companies and they pay it. I have to go to conferences for continuing education every year. But I have to pay for everything. Odd isn’t it!

Goofproof wrote:I'd be more worried about my doctor and his corp, and DMP relationship. Jim

I think you hit the nail on the head, this forum is a threat to his monopoly.

Also his ego and bank account.
--didn't there used to be an oath of some kind?

I agree! I love this forum and have already learned so much and I don't even have my machine yet!

Come on, Monday afternoon - I get my machine!!!!

The medical mafia doesn't like anyone infringing on their turf.

However, don't beleive everything you read here. There's no qualification test to post here, and some people on the internet are idiots, even on this site. However, quite a few "sleep" doctors are idiots, too.

You CAN screw up your treatment by tinkering with your machine, so be careful.

sc0ttt wrote:Thank you CPAP.com for hosting the forum.
Thank you CPAP.com for not participating in the forum.
Thank you CPAP.com for not censoring the forum.

The complete lack of shills in here is a really nice feature.

Echoing virtually everybody else...a HUGE 1+

I'm a registered nurse and I find it amazing that no one ever asks what a lab test or ct will cost. I asked my dme what the pr s1 auto, mask, tubing, will cost me and they couldn't tell me, due to insurance contracts blah blah etc. How can the USA ever hope to control hc costs if the average consumer doesn't know and blindly consents without all if the information. I love having cpap.com as an option to compare with the dme. My dme still does not have the n10 or f10 and I am beginning to think they could care less.

My physical therapy provider just tried to set me up with a TENS unit and refuses to preauthorization it, telling me the first month is free and then the insurance will be billed. I finally said keep it, I'll find one on the net and pay cash. Like 35 dollars vs several hundred.

The system here really stinks and it's time we start asking questions including the fiscal details before consenting. Having cpap.com and this for has streamlined my care, educated me, and provided me with options for supplies at a fair price.

I prefer the open playing field of this forum.
I gained more from this forum than any Doctors / DME has ever provided.

filovirus wrote:I'm a registered nurse and I find it amazing that no one ever asks what a lab test or ct will cost. I asked my dme what the pr s1 auto, mask, tubing, will cost me and they couldn't tell me, due to insurance contracts blah blah etc. How can the USA ever hope to control hc costs if the average consumer doesn't know and blindly consents without all if the information. I love having cpap.com as an option to compare with the dme. My dme still does not have the n10 or f10 and I am beginning to think they could care less.

My physical therapy provider just tried to set me up with a TENS unit and refuses to preauthorization it, telling me the first month is free and then the insurance will be billed. I finally said keep it, I'll find one on the net and pay cash. Like 35 dollars vs several hundred.

The system here really stinks and it's time we start asking questions including the fiscal details before consenting. Having cpap.com and this for has streamlined my care, educated me, and provided me with options for supplies at a fair price.

I agree the system is really messed up. Part of the problem is that we really don't have much choice. I can't afford to buy insurance that is different than my current insurance, so when I need an ER visit with a CT scan, I can't just go somewhere else to get it. How many doctors will tell us up front how much an appointment will cost? Years ago, my copay was $10 for an appointment. Didn't matter where I went. Later, it went to $20 which was fine. Now it is a percentage. I picked my current doctor based on how good she is and recommendations by coworkers who really like her. She costs more than my old doctor, but she is much better, and my health is improved because of the change.

Sleep study? I was referred there by my doctor. It was very expensive, but very good, so while the bills hurt, I my health has improved greatly. But I sure don't know how else I was supposed to find a good sleep study, or if any of them could quote me a price in advance. It seems to me that the price they charge depends on the insurance you have. So, they don't honestly know what the cost will be for each individual. That is what needs to be fixed. Places need to charge one price for each service and be able to tell you up front, like when you go to the vet and and get treatment for your dog or cat. When my cat has dental surgery, I get an itemized list with an upper and lower range for the estimate, which I agree to, and they call me if they need go higher.

Back when the new health care exchanges started, my contract was in negotiations due to the possibility or dropping our insurance. The cheapest plan I could find was 5 times my current premium, and an an even higher deductible. I have no idea if it had decent prescription coverage. I couldn't find that listed.

Last month, I talked to a lady who has insurance. But her monthly prescription for one asthma inhaler was $150 at the cheapest place she could find, even with insurance. She couldn't afford it, so she was going without. That same inhaler cost me $22 with a cash price of $220. My doctor just doubled my dosage. The new inhaler still costs me $22 a month, and the cash price is now over $500. No way in hell I would even consider another type of insurance without written proof that ALL of my current prescriptions are covered at prices I can afford. I currently have 4 monthly medications and 2 as needed medications that I don't have to buy as often.

As for cpap equipment, I did have decent coverage for the machine and masks at first. I have a higher deductible this year, so I may or may not get through it. If I do, that means I will have $1000 in medical bills. So, I can't exactly throw money at supplies. The only cpap supplies I have purchased this year have been two cushions via ebay at a cheap price and a brand new climateline hose still in the sealed bag that I found at a thrift store (I haven't opened it yet). If I do get past the deductible, I will order as much as I can so that I can buy it at 15% of the retail cost and stock up before next year's deductible starts.

There is definitely a lot that needs to be fixed without our system, and it doesn't like much of it has even been addressed yet.

[quoteI'm a registered nurse and I find it amazing that no one ever asks what a lab test or ct will cost. I asked my dme what the pr s1 auto, mask, tubing, will cost me and they couldn't tell me, due to insurance contracts blah blah etc. [/quote]

I get really ticked off at politicians who complain that we aren't good medical "consumers" who look at the costs before we receive treatment, medications, or equipment--how the HELL can we be when we can't even find out the basic costs of things???? Further, how do you do that in an ER or ICU?

Our family is spending $17,000 on health insurance this year BEFORE the out of pocket expenses for co-pays. You damn bet I expect my insurer to pay for things no matter what they cost. I know my massive HMO (Kaiser) has bargaining power as they own 80% of the insured lives in my county and large numbers throughout the region. They can negotiate very favorable prices with DME's and outside providers, and if they don't like the costs they just become the provider themselves. I'm not even allowed to comparison shop--I get what they provide or I buy it myself. Those are the only two choices.