Forced to rent a machine by DME, what can i do
Been using CPAP for 5-7 years. Previous machine was crapping out, so got new prescription and a resmed a10. Now, I look at the bills and they are charging me 140'ish dollars every month for "rent to own". And will continue for 10 or 12 months.
So I am paying way more than a new machine would cost me :
What options do I have. I call insurance, they said some sort of agreement with DME, blah blah. Can I ask DME to submit one bill?
Do all insurances work that way?
RE: Forced to rent a machine by DME, what can i do
Yeah, that's the way mine worked too. I'm on a high deductible plan, so even with the alleged "discount" per the agreement with the insurance company, my out-of-pocket cost was going to be double the market price for a machine I didn't want, with zero resale value. There was also no option to purchase outright and get it into a single year's deductible, and the "discounted" supplies were also double to triple market cost.
I cooperated for one month until just before my first followup with the doc (new to CPAP and realize I don't know everything). Then I bought a machine to try for a few days (already met compliance standards for the month), and told the doc I was doing even better with the machine I bought. He said keep doing what you are doing, come back in a year, and I returned the DME machine.
For me, insurance "coverage" just meant extra oversight to prove I was worthy of being allowed to pay double price out of pocket for the wrong machine. No thanks.
RE: Forced to rent a machine by DME, what can i do
(10-14-2019, 12:15 PM)cheekoo Wrote: Been using CPAP for 5-7 years. Previous machine was crapping out, so got new prescription and a resmed a10. Now, I look at the bills and they are charging me 140'ish dollars every month for "rent to own". And will continue for 10 or 12 months.
So I am paying way more than a new machine would cost me :
What options do I have. I call insurance, they said some sort of agreement with DME, blah blah. Can I ask DME to submit one bill?
Do all insurances work that way?
Make sure you have a hard copy (and/or a .pdf copy) of your new prescription. This will be required to get your own machine from any source of your choice. Then tell this greedy DME to shove off. I don't believe they can force you to help fund their retirement this way.
A.Becker
PAPing in NE Ohio, with a pack of Cairn terriers
RE: Forced to rent a machine by DME, what can i do
So, since you probably already signed a contract with your DME for the new machine your most likely out of luck. Your Medicare number is in there computer billing system and it’s on auto pilot. Check the hours on your machine. Did you get a new or used unit ? I did the same thing you did. See my post a few below yours.
RE: Forced to rent a machine by DME, what can i do
The rental agreement almost certainly stipulates that coverage requires monitored compliance. If you aren’t using the machine, the insurance company will insist on its return.
RE: Forced to rent a machine by DME, what can i do
Assuming you've got the money, pack up the DME machine and take it back. My understanding is that it's a rental contract as long as you possess the machine. Upon return, make the DME sign a return receipt.
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: Forced to rent a machine by DME, what can i do
Sounds good, thanks for the answers!
I think I will just return this, and buy online. Will search here and on Google for the right place.
RE: Forced to rent a machine by DME, what can i do
Go to
Supplier #33, problem solved. Buy on Craigslist or Offer-up problem solved. Find out what suppliers are in-network for your insurance and find one that will charge a fair sale price. When you call your insurance company, just explain the situation, because there is no way your co-pay should exceed the cost of cash purchase. Complain!
