Medical Care One reason it is so expensive

[+ purplekow]

I recently lost my job and the hoops through which I have had to jump to get a very expensive Cobra policy have been daunting. I was not able to apply for Cobra until my job notified my insurance company to stop my coverage, which they did retroactively to the last date of my employ. I then had 6 weeks to apply for the Cobra. As a result of this, I was not covered at the time my bill came due for my CPAP rental, though once the Cobra comes through, they will pay for it retroactively. As a result, I received a bill for 2 months rental of a CPAP machine. I have looked up the cost of such a machine on line and my make and model goes for about $430 dollars. The bill, for the rental for 2 months which is transiently not covered, for the same machine $760. Two months rental. I have been using the machine for about 1 year, making the cost of the machine which retails for $430, about $4500. Now it is likely that my insurance is not paying the full total, but without insurance and without knowledge that such machines could be purchased, one would have pain more than 10 x the retail price for one year's rental. There are millions of CPAP machines going unused around this country. Not to mention other medical equipment. Anyone else finding this outrageous or is the majority feeling that this is just business. Just to be clear, I never received any notification of the cost of the CPAP nor what the insurance company was paying. The company that rented the machine, is a subsidiary of the same company as the medical conglomerate for which I worked and which is self-insured.

[+ José Soplanucas]

I am very sorry you have to go through such an ordeal. It is outrageous, another probe health care should be a public service. Are there other civilized countries where Health is left to whatever the market tells?

[instudiocity]

The company that rented the machine, is a subsidiary of the same company as the medical conglomerate for which I worked and which is self-insured.

You've identified another big problem with health insurance. We are told we need something and no matter what the costs, we get it. I've owned 3 CPAPs over the last 15 years. I have purchased all three off the Internet, choosing the machine, and the mask. When i asked the Doctor's office what my last machine would cost, they said through Apria, it would be $1,800. i found the exact same matchine on-line for $470 with the mask I prefer.

 

Because my company self-insures the first $1.2 million in claims each year before the excess policy kicks in, I price every medical item before purchasing it, deciding on who will pay for it, Me or BCBS/my employer.

[+ azdr0710]

If I get sick, just put me on an iceberg and shove me out to sea....like the Eskimos do.

[+ bashful]

through Apria, it would be $1,800

 

I don't normally post such language, but ...... FUCK Apria. They are the worst.

[craigville beach]

I recently lost my job and the hoops through which I have had to jump to get a very expensive Cobra policy have been daunting. I was not able to apply for Cobra until my job notified my insurance company to stop my coverage, which they did retroactively to the last date of my employ. I then had 6 weeks to apply for the Cobra. As a result of this, I was not covered at the time my bill came due for my CPAP rental, though once the Cobra comes through, they will pay for it retroactively. As a result, I received a bill for 2 months rental of a CPAP machine. I have looked up the cost of such a machine on line and my make and model goes for about $430 dollars. The bill, for the rental for 2 months which is transiently not covered, for the same machine $760. Two months rental. I have been using the machine for about 1 year, making the cost of the machine which retails for $430, about $4500. Now it is likely that my insurance is not paying the full total, but without insurance and without knowledge that such machines could be purchased, one would have pain more than 10 x the retail price for one year's rental. There are millions of CPAP machines going unused around this country. Not to mention other medical equipment. Anyone else finding this outrageous or is the majority feeling that this is just business. Just to be clear, I never received any notification of the cost of the CPAP nor what the insurance company was paying. The company that rented the machine, is a subsidiary of the same company as the medical conglomerate for which I worked and which is self-insured.

 

 

I'm not sure what state you are in but, while it still exists, isn't insurance under the ACA a better choice price wise?

[RM]

Medical care is the real voodoo economics. I go to the hospital, they charge $45,000; the insurance pays $11,000, I pay $1,000, and everyone's happy.

[+ Gar1eth]

I've been on BiPap since about 2003. I think my insurance company originally had me rent the VPAP2 machine on a monthly basis. I'm not even sure if I had to pay anything for the rental. Possibly I did but it was so long ago I don't remember.

 

A few years later insurance decided I needed a new model, and I got a VPAP3. A few years after that in 2011 I had some medical savings account money and bought myself a VPAP4 which I still use.

 

I'm glad I was able to get some new machines- the VPAP 2 I had in 2003 was 7.7 lbs. My VPAP 3 was 5-1/4 lbs, and my current VPAP 4 is about 2-1/2 pounds. The lighter weight has certainly made travel easier.

 

 

Gman

[+ OliverSaks]

More:

 

It seems like the only way to avoid all of this nonsense is to try not to get sick.

[+ sniper]

I'm not sure what state you are in but, while it still exists, isn't insurance under the ACA a better choice price wise?

New insurance would mean a reset of the deductible, so switching plans midyear is often not cost-effective.

[craigville beach]

New insurance would mean a reset of the deductible, so switching plans midyear is often not cost-effective.

 

well i lost my job in February a couple of years ago, my monthly share of a single member plan was $750, the COBRA would have been $1600 a month. My premium under the ACA was $43 per month.

[+ sniper]

we i lost my job in February a couple of years ago, my monthly share of a single member plan was $750, the COBRA would have been $1600 a month. My premium under the ACA was $43 per month.

Depends on the situation. If you lose your job and have no income, then the subsidies will likely make up for it. If you have other means and will not be getting subsidies, you need to see what works.

My COBRA for a single person was only $650. But my plan was a PPO with a 2600 deductible in-network and $5200 for out-of-network before any coverage kicked in. My employer self-insured though and has a lot of young invincibles...

[+ WilliamM]

I recently lost my job and the hoops through which I have had to jump to get a very expensive Cobra policy have been daunting. I was not able to apply for Cobra until my job notified my insurance company to stop my coverage, which they did retroactively to the last date of my employ. I then had 6 weeks to apply for the Cobra. As a result of this, I was not covered at the time my bill came due for my CPAP rental, though once the Cobra comes through, they will pay for it retroactively. As a result, I received a bill for 2 months rental of a CPAP machine. I have looked up the cost of such a machine on line and my make and model goes for about $430 dollars. The bill, for the rental for 2 months which is transiently not covered, for the same machine $760. Two months rental. I have been using the machine for about 1 year, making the cost of the machine which retails for $430, about $4500. Now it is likely that my insurance is not paying the full total, but without insurance and without knowledge that such machines could be purchased, one would have pain more than 10 x the retail price for one year's rental. There are millions of CPAP machines going unused around this country. Not to mention other medical equipment. Anyone else finding this outrageous or is the majority feeling that this is just business. Just to be clear, I never received any notification of the cost of the CPAP nor what the insurance company was paying. The company that rented the machine, is a subsidiary of the same company as the medical conglomerate for which I worked and which is self-insured.

 

I have been using a CPAP machine for about 90 days. It cost much more to buy than your model. Yes, it's a pain in the ass, but it has largely taken care of my sleep apnea. I understand why people stop using using the machine, but aren't they taking a big chance?

[+ purplekow]

The fact that your machine is more expensive really is the point. A CPAP machine is not a very complex piece of machinery. If you want one with all the bells and whistles and recording capabilities and reporting capabilities, you will pay a bit more, but the basic machine itself certainly should not be generating a rental of more than $350 per month.

[Bayman4Fun]

More:

 

It seems like the only way to avoid all of this nonsense is to try not to get sick.

 

I watched that. This topic hits close to home... I ran a Nephrology medical group. I worked with Davita.

 

Most of what was reported was true and accurate. Including the profit-motivation points. A few points, not so much. I get it, it's comedic political commentary.

 

The vast majority of dialysis patients want a transplant, and I don't know a doctor who doesn't encourage transplant. I was a little resentful, knowing that thousands of people are approaching the end of life, desperately hoping for a kidney.... and seeing a comedian admonish "get a kidney" as if they can order one from Amazon.

 

There aren't enough dialysis stations in the centers to accommodate users scheduling needs and desires. That's a huge factor in the turnover speed, and assignment to a dialysis center equation.

 

One of the sad realities of this story is that the manner in which people are dialyzed - center dialysis - isn't even the best medical method. Do it yourself peritoneal dialysis and daily home dialysis are often more effective. But the economics, and human behavior factors, don't make for efficacy.

 

Healthcare and reform is one of the most complicated multi-factor issues of our time. The system is incredibly broken. But anyone - liberal or conservative - suggesting simple one-size-fits-all solutions is either ignorant or lying to you.

[kewtex]

Healthcare and reform is one of the most complicated multi-factor issues of our time. The system is incredibly broken. But anyone - liberal or conservative - suggesting simple one-size-fits-all solutions is either ignorant or lying to you.

 

The understatement of the day.

[+ purplekow]

 

Healthcare and reform is one of the most complicated multi-factor issues of our time. The system is incredibly broken. But anyone - liberal or conservative - suggesting simple one-size-fits-all solutions is either ignorant or lying to you.

Perhaps both?

[+ Cash4Trash]

If I get sick, just put me on an iceberg and shove me out to sea....like the Eskimos do.

Better get sick quick - icebergs are melting at a rapid rate. At best in about 10 years we can strap you to a walrus and send you out to sea.

[Courage]

@purplekow Tell it, brother. My job is imperiled right now and I am terrified of losing coverage.

 

I, too, use C-PAP and have never looked at the rate the insurer is paying. I better do so now.

[+ purplekow]

@purplekow Tell it, brother. My job is imperiled right now and I am terrified of losing coverage.

 

I, too, use C-PAP and have never looked at the rate the insurer is paying. I better do so now.

Do not look what the insurance is paying, they always discount the bill, look what the company is charging because you do not have the privilege of paying what you want as the insurance companies do.

[+ Funguy]

It's not just limited to Health. Anything using insurance has the same stupidity.

10 years ago i had a house fire. I had a lot of furniture that only needed a thorough cleaning from the smoke. I did have to rent a house (I had 2 big dogs) and the insurance company put all my furniture in storage (about $200 per month) and paid for furniture rental in the rental house - $6,000 per month for comparable furniture - FOR 18 MONTHS! before I moved back into my house and got my own furniture back. It was their insistence. And a huge waste of money but I was covered!

[+ DERRIK]

Guys. - I've had a CPAP for 8 years. About a year ago - I decided to buy a compact machine because I travel some.

 

I settled on a machine - willing to pay for it - unfortunately GOVCO requires a prescription.

 

Called my doctor's office - they insisted on a new sleep study.

 

Result - I got a new family doctor and a simple script

 

BTW. - Using a CPAP is really important - if one is diagnosed needed it - really work hard to get accustomed to it

[+ WmClarke]

BTW. - Using a CPAP is really important - if one is diagnosed needed it - really work hard to get accustomed to it

It really depends on the severity of your sleep apnea. Mine is mild, the CPAP doesn't work (I rip the mask off in my sleep), so I no longer use it. I tried for 15 years but just can't use it.

[+ purplekow]

My apnea hypopnea index is 54. Anything above 10 is bad. 54 is on the extremely high end. So I need it. When I can use it regularly, I do well but I still have fatigue. I have been told from some very reliable and sexy sources that my snoring is not that bad. Perhaps they were being polite. In any case, it took a month of using it consistently to see any benefit. I intend to go back to using it.