So you think there is a 2-year warranty on your new ResMed unit?

[zzzZorro]

Whew!  There was NO WAY that I could get into here without re-joining.  Previously was zzzZorro now zzzzZorro. So I have been here before and on my VAUTO almost 7 years.

To the point.  Lincare/ResMed have conjured-up a rather strange warranty period.  The latest AirCurve 10 VAUTO which was replaced by insurance 19 months ago has developed a high-pitched whine on inhaling cycle.  Found Sleep Rider had responded to this question a couple years ago and said it was a Pneumatic Block or Fan Unit and usually results in a unit being replaced.  Sooo, this is how it goes:

Lincare says, They have a 13 month warranty and at that point it is turned over to me and it is my responsibility after that.  They told me to contact ResMed for repair.  In the meantime I got a Case# from ResMed and a statement:"You can find ResMed's manufacturer's warranty in your product's Users Guide. Your home medical equipment provider where you originally received the equipment would be able to assist you with appropriate troubleshooting, repairs or replacement as necessary".  My UsersGuide says: VAUTO warranty- 2 years (24 months).

ResMed does not do repairs, so the DME has to send it to a repair facility. (Damn, that was really tuff to get to)  As explained to me, ResMed really has no warranty (per-se) through them because the unit is distributed by a middle-man, the DME (Lincare in this case) and any warranty would revert to their policy which is a THIRTEEN-MONTH term. 
BINGO- 11 months warranty vaporized!

Interesting that ResMed can issue a manual with their CPAP/VATO's specifying a 24 month warranty KNOWING Lincare has MODIFIED it to a 13 month warranty. This stinks like a bait-and-switch misrepresentation putting the screws into their customers as usual.

[Crimson Nape]

Slight problem, Apnea Board does not allow multiple accounts.  You need to use your original account.  If you have forgotten your password, then read this post, Lost Password - how to recover it

Here is a quick link:  https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/member...ion=lostpw.
- Red

[Nightynite]

Yep, Hose the Hosehead. Send it to Supplier #28 get it back in a week. Go to their website and you can fill out a little form and the guy will get back to you the cost. I sent one in along with others here and happy with the service. Yep, it’s out of your pocket , but what do you do ?

[Phaleronic]

Replacing motors on resmed machines are really very simple I just did one for a hundred dollars.

[zzzZorro]

Slight problem, Apnea Board does not allow multiple accounts.  You need to use your original account.  If you have forgotten your password, then read this post, Lost Password - how to recover it

Here is a quick link:  https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/member...ion=lostpw.
- Red

ALL 'MO BETTER NOW!  SuperSleeper fixed mu boo-boo

[srlevine1]

When I first sought service after 13 months, I was told that the manufacturer's warranty applies to the first purchaser, which under Medicare is the DME who rents the unit to you for the initial thirteen months. Technically, you are the second owner, not the purchaser.

Your best course of action is to pay for the repair to get up and running and then submit a claim to Medicare--which may or may not be honored.

To file a Medicare claim for reimbursement, you can complete and mail the Patient Request for Medical Payment form (CMS-1490S) along with the following items:
Itemized bill from your doctor, supplier, or other health care provider
Letter explaining your reason for submitting the claim
Any supporting documents related to your claim

The form should include your Medicare ID number, the name and billing address of your doctor or healthcare provider, the date and place of service, and charges for each service.
The address for your state's contractor is in the instructions for the form, in your Medicare Summary Notice, or by calling 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY: 877-486-2048).

Fill out the claim form, called the Patient Request for Medical Payment form (CMS-1490S) [PDF, 52KB). You can also fill out the CMS-1490S claim form in Spanish (PDF).
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/C...nglish.pdf
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/C...panish.pdf
https://www.medicare.gov/claims-appeals/...le-a-claim

Caveat: Medicare only reimburses their portion of the bill (up to 80%) or their normal and customary amount.

Best of luck -- Steve

[zzzZorro]

Thanks kindly for your detailed explanation Steve.  I think a class-action suit against Res-Med for the misleading (and persistent when speaking with them "Your warranty is in your Users Guide") would be a slam-dunk.  Sad how big business prospers on the back of their customers, isn't it?  

[zzzZorro]

For those who are interested:
I took the VAUTO to Lincare personally today.  First met passive resistance then politely told them I would just get the motor replaced out of my pocket as the hassle was not worth $240 to me BUT they could remove me from their customer list as I was going to find another DME.  As I was turning to leave I was asked to wait a couple minutes while some calls were made. The point I reiterated about me being hung out to dry for 5 months seemed to register and Steve's explanation of the DME being the first person of sale and me being the second as per ResMed's 2 year [non]warranty appeared to appeal to their sense of responsibility.

Soo; They agreed to "Take the unit, and have their local technician confirm the motor was making the noise and send it to the ResMed certified repair facility.  At no charge to me  PROVIDING the malfunction was not caused by patient abuse." (It Wasn't)  AND even deliver it to my residence after it was repaired!

I should know in a couple days IF it jumps through their requisite hoops so the repair can be done.
Lincare just may have salvaged a long-time customer.  We shall see?