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+--- Thread: Is it worth trying to use Blue Cross insurance? (/Thread-Is-it-worth-trying-to-use-Blue-Cross-insurance)
Is it worth trying to use Blue Cross insurance? - cannongeorge - 12-26-2022
My Resemed S-10 CPAP machine (5 years, over 18,000 hours) is due for replacement. I'm also using an older Resmed S-7 (when I travel) which has crashed completly. I service offshore oil platforms, I'm usually restricted to whatever I can carry on my person when I "swing rope" onto the platform (often in bad weather) (Crane assisted methods to get aboard may not be functional ny the time I arrive).
My Dr. wrote a prescription for a Resmed "AirMini" which I think would be perfect fit to address my needs. Costs are comparable to a new S-10 (now S-11) machine. Insurance carrier (Anthem Blue Cross) refused to cover this and instead offered to furnish a Luna Cpap machine instead. WORSE, the insurance carrier refused to pay for purchase and instead hold me to a "forever" monthly rental charge. (I understand why this might be desirable for new users, but for an existing patient really?) (I've had to fight in the past when it was obvious the sum of monthly rental fees far exceeded the cost for the machine.
Do I go ahead any buy this on my own and fight? I do not want to get locked into another never ending rental contract. (Fought that battle before) Or write off this device as a medical expense for tax reasons? (Zero gain for me, from what I can tell) (My deductible is too high!)
Because I am gainfuly employed this colors things. I have been advised if I were unemployed it would be simpler fix to tap into some stimulus funds and not be responsioble for actual cost of machine.
Thanks for any insight you can offer....
canngeorge