DME charges for Humidifier on Integrated CPAP's
Hello all, I had been in a dispute over a local DME charging me for a Humidifier on a ResMed Air Sense 10 Auto set. They had stated that back in 2008 they had a letter from one of the CPAP companies that made the first integrated units. They said that the proper way to bill it is to bill the CPAP code plus the humidifier code because they don't have a code for an integrated unit. Well it is 2015 and we still don't but you will see more of these units being made by other companies such as ResMed. My problem with this is the DME doesn't pay a separate charge for the humidifier when they buy them from the manufacturer so why should we. I know that these machines are more expensive but consider that an online retailer can sell you one for $883.00 and they are still making a good profit on it. The DME I went through charged me $2500.00 for the same unit which was reduced by insurance to I believe $1300.00. So plenty of room for profit. I see no reason other than greed that DME's would charge for a humidifier on top of that unless the humidifier is truly a separate part. I had to file complaints with the BBB and the Attorney Generals office to get it resolved. I have gotten word that the charge will be removed from my bill. If you are getting charged this fee don't stand for it. I don't like it when companies take advantage of sick people to thicken their wallets.
RE: DME charges for Humidifier on Integrated CPAP's
(08-07-2015, 01:26 PM)Adoniscmj Wrote: Hello all, I had been in a dispute over a local DME charging me for a Humidifier on a ResMed Air Sense 10 Auto set. They had stated that back in 2008 they had a letter from one of the CPAP companies that made the first integrated units. They said that the proper way to bill it is to bill the CPAP code plus the humidifier code because they don't have a code for an integrated unit. Well it is 2015 and we still don't but you will see more of these units being made by other companies such as ResMed. My problem with this is the DME doesn't pay a separate charge for the humidifier when they buy them from the manufacturer so why should we. I know that these machines are more expensive but consider that an online retailer can sell you one for $883.00 and they are still making a good profit on it. The DME I went through charged me $2500.00 for the same unit which was reduced by insurance to I believe $1300.00. So plenty of room for profit. I see no reason other than greed that DME's would charge for a humidifier on top of that unless the humidifier is truly a separate part. I had to file complaints with the BBB and the Attorney Generals office to get it resolved. I have gotten word that the charge will be removed from my bill. If you are getting charged this fee don't stand for it. I don't like it when companies take advantage of sick people to thicken their wallets.
and hopefully insurance companies didn't pay them. if they did, then they really don't lose any money even if they don't get the client's portion of the humidifier fee.
glad you stood your ground.
RE: DME charges for Humidifier on Integrated CPAP's
I agree, I tried to get my insurance company to investigate but they didn't want to bother. It is a hollow victory because I am sure they will continue these charges and it seems to be a common problem among DME's.
