$ Amount of equipment rental

cariaad · #1 06-08-2002, 07:52 PM

Hi all, I am doing some research into our DME company's billing practices and I'm curious about the amount other people pay for their equipment rental. The pulseox we had was billed at $450 per month, O2 concentratoe at $199 per month. The other equipment seemed reasonable but these to me seem pretty steep. If you could give me an idea if this is "reasonable and customary" (the ins company's phrase) Id appreciate it. Thanks, Deb

Ann · #2 06-08-2002, 10:51 PM

Hi,

I know that we pay about $415 per month for our pulse-ox. I think we pay about the same as you for the concentrator. We've had the pulse-ox for three years, seems we should own the thing by now! I got copies of all my son's monthly expenses (he also on a vent, which costs about $1800 per month for two vents) in connection with an EEOC claim we are bringing against my husband's former employer. They decided they needed to downsize (only his position) and laid him off about 4 months after they started covering him under their insurance. A little suspicious don't you think???

I found it very interesting to see how much everything costs. His monthly nursing (65 hours/week) costs about $9,000/month. He's definately the $1 million dollar kid.

Ann

cariaad · #3 06-09-2002, 06:40 PM

Yes, we "pay" for our equipment...we pay high insurance premiums and then the insurance companies contract with the supply companies to provide equipment at contracted prices. But, all these charges go against a lifetime maximum benefit -usually $1 million. Our policy covers 80%, and we are fortunate enough to have a medicaid policy that covers the other 20% in most cases. My concern is that the contracted prices are inflated and are unnecessarily eating up that lifetime max. Since Alli has her trach out now all we have to get are g tube supplies, but if I can show the insurnce company that they were being overbilled, we can not only get a credit back against her lifetime max, we can get a cash back incentive for "watchdogging" against fraud. As well as, if we show they are paying too much, we can hopefully get it changed for other families as well. I just think charges like $800 for 2 standard trachs, $110 for 10 trach ties etc are outrageuos! I guess it's become my little soapbox, but I feel like I have to at least investigate the situation. Thanks to all who respond! Deb

Olga · #4 06-10-2002, 08:10 AM

At the risk of sounding even more smug than our friend in the Netherlands...
I think the USA is a great place, but I'm glad we live in the UK.
We pay NOTHING AT ALL for our equipment or accessories. This is all paid for by the National Health Service which we pay for through our taxes. If a machine needs service or repair I just take it along to the hospital and they swap it over there and then.
It is horrifying to think that there has to be such a large intitial pay out for equipment before you can claim the costs back. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night!