APRIA Healthcare are a bunch of fucking liars

[stopbush]

Last June, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea after doing an overnight test. My mom suffered from this condition

At the time, I had UHC insurance through my job. That insurance was set up to pay for the machine in 3-month installments, with the idea that after a certain period of "renting," I would own the machine.

Well, I lost that job when they downsized. I contacted APRIA, who confirmed that UHC had paid for the first three months. After that, I had the option of paying $1100 out of my pocket to own the machine if I didn't secure new insurance to pay for it. I couldn't afford that, so I was offered a pay-as-you-go plan to pay $107 a month until the machine was paid off, at which point I would own it. I accepted.

In March, I called APRIA to see where I was on this contract and was told that I owed around $400, at which point I would own the machine outright. I went ahead and continued the pay as you go for April.

Today, I called APRIA to pay the remaining balance on the machine of $300 or so dollars. I was informed that, no, you actually owe more than $800 to own the machine. The reason given was that once I went to pay on my own, the contract date with them restarted and ran for 15 months, not the 3 months paid by UHC plus my own payments. Not only that, but if I wanted to move the coverage over to my new Kaiser account, the cost of owning the machine would reset to $1500+, and Kaiser and I would be responsible for the full cost of the machine, even though over $1200 had already been spent on my having the machine in my home.

After doing the mandatory speaking to supervisors and being told the same line of bs, I returned the machine today. I simply can't afford to spend another $800 on this thing, not with the other health issues I'm facing.

Of course, the Rs new tRumpcare solves this neatly: it doesn't cover sleep apnea as it's a pre-existing condition.

[Doreen]

1. I am sorry to hear that.

My ex has Apnea also. However he found he does not need the machine at all when he uses cannabis which also tends to be less money. I thought I would tell you of one option to maybe help. I hope you are able to find a way to help you with that problem.

[politicat]

2. Why yes, they are.

Biggest scammers in durable medical equipment I've found, but I'm sure they're not the worst.

When I had knee surgery years ago, they supplied the supposed ice machine -- a thermos with some tubing and a sleeve that worked via gravity. It was pitiful, maybe $25 in off the shelf hardware, for which they charged the insurance company several hundred. Oh, and it never worked. Spouse and I ended up hacking it with a submersible pump, but eventually just used therapeutic ice packs. They also supplied my crutches, both pair (the armpit type, that were impossible to use without compressing arm/hand nerves, and the forearm ones that I still have and will never give up). Again, several hundred bucks to the insurance company for items that go for $22-38 on Amazon.

Grandmother's wheelchair? Medicare paid for a new one when she became unable to walk. Apria provided one that was clearly used (had stencils and bar codes). Charged for new, more than $1000 for a used, entry level model.

The good news for you? Ebay is your friend when it comes to a CPAP. Lots of new ones available, usually in the $100-$300 range, and then you own it outright. You know you need it. You know you sleep better with it. Untreated apnea is a long-term killer.

I'm sorry you already returned yours, because you've got receipts and the worst they can do is ding your credit, which you can EASILY challenge, since you've got the receipts. Sure, they'll send you a lot of nasty-grams and you'll lose a few credit points. So? Are you planning to buy a house? Finance a car? If you don't think you'll need an 800 credit score in the next three years, it doesn't matter. Play the game, friend. Just because they say you owe them doesn't mean you do.

But seriously -- Apria can go screw themselves forever, like it's a chore.

[stopbush]

3. I have some options and ideas going forward.

They will not be involving APRIA.

[bobalew]

4. All you need is a copy of your prescription for your CPAP Machine...

To get new masks, etc. For a gently used, very AFFORDABLE machine, visit SecondwindCPAP.com to get really nice affordable current technology machine like bipap or waste gate style, units. This what I do & it's far cheaper than even insurance policy provided systems.

[stopbush]

5. Thanks.