[Equipment] New or Refurbished Machine?

[Evie]

Several months ago, my DME shop changed my CPAP machine to an Auto CPAP machine. When I got home and turned it on, it smelled terrible. It had been treated with something very fragrant and smelled like cigarette smoke. When I called the shop, they said it was a new machine direct from the warehouse which I doubt very much ... direct from the warehouse maybe, but not new. Because of insurance reasons, I may have to switch to a different DME and also get another machine. How can I be sure that I am getting a new machine and not a used one? I don't want to repeat my experience with the last machine. Thank you.

[Sleepster]

Since you've had the machine for a long time, start by checking the number of "hours used" that appears on the patient's menu.

Next, check the number of "run hours" on the blower motor. To do this go into the clinician's menu, scroll all the way to the bottom, and click on "about".

(To enter the clinician's menu press the round knob and the home button at the same time for a few seconds.)

When a machine is reset it erases the hours used, but not the run hours. So if these two numbers match, it means your machine was never reset. If it was resold, whoever resold it also likely reset it.

[Evie]

Thank you Sleepster. I do know that the SD card that came with the machine had another person's data on it when I put in in SleepyHead. Will check your suggestion. I just don't want another used machine. This Auto PAP took forever for the stink to go away.

Evie

[chill]

As the SD card comes with the machine, that is a pretty convincing sign that your DME is trying to pull a fast one on you.

[Evie]

Hmmm ... guess I should have taken the machine back! This forum is a great place for me to be! I have a lot to learn. :-)

[chill]

Check the run hours as mentioned above. If this confirms it, it might be worth contacting your insurance. Giving you a used machine and charging for a new one sounds a lot like insurance fraud to me.

[Evie]

Thank you, Chill. What do you think happens to used machines? There are many who try CPAP therapy and decide not to continue. Are those machines cleaned up and sold on internet sites? Or maybe someone like me goes to the DME and gets a machine that was just "lightly" used and is told that it is new. Perhaps the DME thought it was new and the warehouse just passed used equipment on as "new". So then the problem is with the warehouse. This could get complicated. I get it that buying a used machine is OK in some circumstances. My problem is with used equipment that is sold as new. Sorry to ramble!

Evie

[Sleepster]

What do you think happens to used machines? There are many who try CPAP therapy and decide not to continue.

Usually those machines end up in closets. They can be donated, or sold as used.

Or maybe someone like me goes to the DME and gets a machine that was just "lightly" used and is told that it is new.

That's illegal. And as already mentioned, insurance fraud. If I were you I'd call the seller and tell them that you have checked the run hours against the hours used, found that they don't match. Moreover, you have the data on the SD card that predates the date of the sale. That's evidence of fraud. Tell them that you plan to report it to your attorney general and your insurance company.

[Evie]

Wow! Will have a conversation with my DME. Thank you.

Evie

[Sleeprider]

Equipment can be sold used, but representing used equipment as new and billing insurance is fraud. The smell of smoke, data on the card and extra hours on the machine are all easy evidence. Get a new machine and don't hold back the threats...If they fail to give you the new machine, call your insurance, the Attorney General's office of consumer affairs, file a compliant with the BBB and make sure they know you are not going to accept this unsafe and unfair practice.