I guess my insurnace is horrible but I get a monthly bill for rental of my unit that amounts to 100$ rental fee (monthly) then insurance kicks in and pays anywhere from $9 to 60$ of that (for whatever reason it totally varies each month as to what insurance pays), and I dont even own the machine!
Also found out in Sept at the one year mark my insurance no longer supports the machine without going thru a new sleep study which costs me a ton too (last one cost me close to 400$).
I work basically full time locally 35hrs a week and do webdesign from home to help extra money too, but am on my wifes jobs ppo, income wise wow this cpap is killing me $$ wise monthly and study wise (not to mention copay wise).
I called them to ask how much it would be to just buy it (remstar pro M machine with humidifier) and they said it would be $1200 + 250 more for the humidifier setup.
I get charged about 125 for a new mask every 6 months of which insurance covers somewhere around half, when all I really NEED is the gel front part (but they only sell full new mask kits) etc.
I love my cpap really helps me sleep well, but I am at a loss when it comes to the costs keeping it up and paying the patient portions of the monthly fees and sleep studies/replacement parts etc.
Anyone else have this happen , very curious what others are paying for a cpap in general monthly parts rental purchase etc, I am full of anxiety to go off the cpap but literally $$ wise I just don't have it to shell out for another sleep study in sept, already at the moment I am robbing peter to pay paul so to speak.
Bill :(
I just googled my unit and with humidifier its still under $600, my supplier is such a rip off and they are totally shafting the user and insurance company if you ask me too...
Can I somewhere buy JUST that front gel triangle part for my mirage 2 sleepmask vs paying 125$ for a whole new mask every 6 months, none of my frames are bad and can be washed its just that front shell part that wears out on me...
I suggest getting a prescription from your doctor and then buy only what you need from cpap.com or cpapman.com (I'm sure there are others.) While your insurance probably won't cover it (although I'd ask), it will be cheaper in the long run. You can then get a new sleep study only when you need it -- I am told every 3 to 5 years. You may only need a prescription to buy a machine. Read all the "fine print" on cpap.com. You may be able to buy just the mask part you need.
John
Try to ask your DME company to put through a purchase on your insurance. Also call the insurance company and ask when they are going to purchase your machine. Try that and see what the response is.
PS - Your DME company may be socking it to you - threaten to use a new DME company - it sounds like they are taking you and your insurance to the cleaners!