Wellness

[151949]

I have been on CPAP for almost 3 years. When I intially got it the respiratory therapist came to my house, gave me all the equipment and instruction about using it and cleaning it. He had to come back one more time again because - even though I told them I was allergic to latex they had not brought me latex free equipment and the first night I ended up in the ER with my airways swelling closed. I have never seen a respitatory therapist again in 3 years. Today I got a bill from my supplier and it had a $60 charge for "CPAP care and maintainence" so I called the office and they said it was the charge for the therapist to visit my home every 6 months and check my equipment. But no one has every done that. Apparently they have been charging my insurance for that service every 6 months anyway, though. As my DH said - medicare is in many ways a license to steal for these companies. I wonder how many thousands of customers Lincare ( my supply co) has nationwide that they are ripping off medicare for this service that they are not actually doing. When I called the local office to ask to schedule a visit from the therapist I was told they are too busy to visit me -if i want it checked I can bring it the 30 miles to the office . I said then I am too busy to pay for this service - and I am notifying my ins co that you are ripping them off. I desparately wish I could get my supplies from another source. I have spoken to other CPAP patients who tell me that they do get a visit from a therapist every 6 months regularly. I have filed a complaint with the ins. co. begging them to allow me to find another company. I'll have to wait and see what happens. I went to Angie's list to put in a neg review of Lincare and found there were many many with similar complaints about them. If you have to go on to CPAP and need to pick a supplier - don't pick Lincare.