Question about owning machine
Hello,
I hope this question is ok. I was going through my billing for my BiPap, and I noticed a few things.
1) I was billed for E0470( bpap no back up rate) on 11/1/17 but Medicare didnt accept it because it says I owned it.
However, I started on an E0471(Bipap with backup) on 11/23/17.
Should I have been able to keep the E0470 since I paid the number of months needed to buy it even though I would be using a different machine(E0471). I would like to have sold it to recoup some of my other medical expenses.
Thanks in advance?
RE: Question about owning machine
Don't have the answer but did you call Medicare and ask about it?
07-21-2018, 06:39 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-21-2018, 06:40 PM by KatyDid.)
RE: Question about owning machine
No, I didn't know you could actually call Medicare, at least not about something like that. I'll see what I can find on the website.
Oops, I meant to say Thanks!!
07-21-2018, 09:50 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-21-2018, 09:51 PM by SarcasticDave94.
Edit Reason: Typo
)
RE: Question about owning machine
It's possible a situation exists you do own the old one and have begun an insurance rental on the new. As Walla Walla said, give Medicare a call, see what they say.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: Question about owning machine
Thanks, Dave!
1st thing Monday morning I'll be on the phone with Medicare.
RE: Question about owning machine
Hi KatyDid,
Typically with Medicare the patient owns the CPAP machine after 11 or 12 monthly payments have been made to the DME but, unless your doctor has prescribed a different machine you will not be eligible for a new one until your machine is 5 years old. Not knowing the details of your situation I can't offer much help other than to suggest that while you are holding to get your call through to Medicare you could also be on line checking their web site, it might be quicker. Talking with a DME can get a wide range of answers because they often are as confused about the regulations as we are. Some DMEs will ask for the old machine when you get a new one but in most cases that is not legit, you can keep it.
There are answers out there but sometimes it takes a lot of digging to find them. Wishing you success.
Stan
RE: Question about owning machine
Thanks, Stan!