Yes, useless rant below:
Question of the day - who is lying, the insurance company or the medical equipment provider?
I have been using a c-pap machine since 1999. In August of 2009 my original machine died. I went through the usual hoops with the insurance company and the local medical equipment provider and got a new one. I clarified beforehand that my only cost would be the $83.78 (adjusted) deductible.
However, the claim was processed as a "lease to purchase". Thus I ended up paying an $83.78 deductible each month for the 6 months it was rented. Obviously I was a little miffed but caved and paid.
Fast forward two years and I received a bill from the medical equipment provider for four months (Feb-May 2010) of co-pays, less discount, or a total of just under $350.00.
Now the only reason I have to pay what amounts to almost $850 in co-pays instead of a single co-pay of $83.78 is because it was processed as a "lease to purchase" and not a one time straight purchase. Irritated am I.
I call the medical equipment provider who tells me they process the claim as they are told by the insurance company. They stated they ask the insurance provider if it is a purchase, lease to purchase or an ongoing rental and bill accordingly.
I call the insurance company who tells me they tell the medical equipment provider what the coverage is, in this case $100.00 co-pay, but do not direct whether it is a purchase, lease to purchase or an ongoing rental.
I am beginning to believe the insurance company’s version as with either scenario, their cost is about the same, whereas if leased to purchase, the income to the medical equipment provider is almost doubled.
Let's not even start on the fact I received a bill for claims over 2 years old.
Question of the day - who is lying, the insurance company or the medical equipment provider?
I have been using a c-pap machine since 1999. In August of 2009 my original machine died. I went through the usual hoops with the insurance company and the local medical equipment provider and got a new one. I clarified beforehand that my only cost would be the $83.78 (adjusted) deductible.
However, the claim was processed as a "lease to purchase". Thus I ended up paying an $83.78 deductible each month for the 6 months it was rented. Obviously I was a little miffed but caved and paid.
Fast forward two years and I received a bill from the medical equipment provider for four months (Feb-May 2010) of co-pays, less discount, or a total of just under $350.00.
Now the only reason I have to pay what amounts to almost $850 in co-pays instead of a single co-pay of $83.78 is because it was processed as a "lease to purchase" and not a one time straight purchase. Irritated am I.
I call the medical equipment provider who tells me they process the claim as they are told by the insurance company. They stated they ask the insurance provider if it is a purchase, lease to purchase or an ongoing rental and bill accordingly.
I call the insurance company who tells me they tell the medical equipment provider what the coverage is, in this case $100.00 co-pay, but do not direct whether it is a purchase, lease to purchase or an ongoing rental.
I am beginning to believe the insurance company’s version as with either scenario, their cost is about the same, whereas if leased to purchase, the income to the medical equipment provider is almost doubled.
Let's not even start on the fact I received a bill for claims over 2 years old.
