Paying for supplies - newbie
previously defaulted to ordering supplies through the original CPAP vendor I was connected with when therapy started. A year later, my question is, how does one go about ordering supplies in the "open market?" I am on Medicare and also have a Med Supp plan (G). S my question is...can I just go out and buy stuff on my own and do I submit receipts to Medicare, or, do I have to go through a medical supplies co. (like the one I was using - Adapt) and that's the only way. Just wondering how to go about this and what is the easiest way to buy stuff I need in the future.
RE: Paying for supplies - newbie
AFAIK you cannot get your insurance to pay for supplies that you buy online, but it never hurts to ask. To answer your question, you contact equipment suppliers (either online suppliers or brick and mortar) and ask them if they take your insurance. Have a copy of your prescription handy, as they will ask for it.
Sleepster
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: Paying for supplies - newbie
I agree. I ordered a ResMed machine during the Philips debacle, and my insurance would not pay for it. If you don't like your DME, switch to another one. We use Aeroflow and receive regular supply shipments from them with no problem. I'm sure there are lots more, that's just the one I found when I was unhappy with my original DME.
Machine: ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto
Mask: Bleep DreamPort Sleep Solution
RE: Paying for supplies - newbie
What ever you do don’t use Apria. I’m now at 6 weeks waiting on a new machine based on the Medicare 5 yr schedule. And yes , I did the face to face with my Dr. and he documented that I use it and I need it.
RE: Paying for supplies - newbie
Medicare paid for my new machine, but does not pay for consumables like mask, hoses, filters. I buy those from Amazon and other online sources. My dme supplier would love to sell me these, but they are usually twice the price as online.
RE: Paying for supplies - newbie
I use ROTECH as my DME supplier. The one I use is Sleep Central in Kentucky. They send me an email message every few months notifying me that it's time to reorder supplies. They verify what I'm eligible for.
I learned earlier this year that I have a ROTECH DME locally. Not sure how long they have been there though.
Anyways, between Medicare and my supplemental insurance, I have zero out-of-pocket costs.
RE: Paying for supplies - newbie
I, am on Medicare, and also have a Med Supp plan (G). My DME is Lincare. I have no out-of-pocket expenses. They send supplies (heated hose, mask, pillows, filters) every 3 months. I receive a phone call or call them when it's time for new supplies. During Covid, when I was eligible for a new machine, the Airsense 11, they set up an ordering system, and a contact person who called and guided me through the process. No charge to me. Lincare delivered the new machine to my house and I set it up. Very easy. Their customer service was like white glove treatment.
I've had good luck with Lincare. I, too, had horrible experiences with Apria and would advise steering clear of them.
I do go online and buy some accessories for my CPAP that Medicare doesn't cover; such as a hose or mask covers. Supplier #31 for pads and mask straps is wonderful.
