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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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Bonnie, it's been so long since we acquired a wheelchair I really don't remember the circumstances, but I can address other equipment acquired through Medicare.
The appropriate doctor scripted for it, his office contacted a DME, and that supplier brought the equipment. Since we have a Medigap C policy, we paid nothing at that time. Purchasing it outright wasn't an issue at that time, nor was it really an issue of "purchase" but rather one of keeping the equipment.
I should add that this is to the best of my recollection; the most recent device we got was a rollator and it was covered entirely by Medicare and probably our Medigap insurance carrier. We paid nothing out of pocket.
After the required amount of time lapsed, we still could use whatever device was, so we continued to do so. Generally, I don't recall having to pay anything to any of the DMEs.
However, there are time limits for some things. You inquired about COPD on another post. We got a nebulizer from Medicare, but when it went into hiding, we were unable to get another one because the requisite time hadn't elapsed. Medicare won't supply replacement devices within a certain time period. I don't know what the specific time limits are for various assistive devices.
I think your best bet is to ask the DME company that supplied the wheelchair; these folks generally know the Medicare rules pretty well.
BTW, if you don't already have the wheelchair, make sure you get the kind that has removable side supports so you can use a transfer board if you need to. When my sister needed one, I was just learning to navigate these kinds of issues and discovered the company had sent a wheelchair w/o removable side arms.
When I called and asked for a replacement chair, I was advised Medicare wouldn't pay for it. However, I've since learned that that particular company is one of the least reputable and cooperative ones.
My dilemma is whether I should buy one or rent one as dme. My neighbor tells me when they tried to rent one for her mother they found after the 13 months there were additional costs by the medical supply company for maintenance. I guess I had better call the medical supplier and ask. We bought my husbands nebulizer outright when his quit. We found one brand new online for 60.00. If we had went through Medicare it would have been way more expensive.
Bonnie, it sounds to me as if the DME wasn't the most honest company; there are some like that. We had an oxygen supplier that's been terminated but they're still trying to get my father to provide his credit card information and agree to a multitude of legal commitments. I'm just about ready to report them to Medicare, when I get the time to go through the multitude of 6 page agreements they had Dad sign every time they serviced the oxygen equipment or delivered supplies.
As to renting vs. buying, I'm just not following the issues, although it's been some time since we dealt with wheelchairs. Same issue with the nebulizer. I'm not understanding why you would buy one directly through Medicare. Must be something I'm missing in the situation.
Are you buying these outright, without prescriptions from doctors? If so, yes, you probably are going to pay more, especially with a DME. But I've really never heard of buying directly from Medicare. Is this being coordinated or recommended through a hospital, doctor's office, rehab facility, or did you make contact with the DME directly?
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
The appropriate doctor scripted for it, his office contacted a DME, and that supplier brought the equipment. Since we have a Medigap C policy, we paid nothing at that time. Purchasing it outright wasn't an issue at that time, nor was it really an issue of "purchase" but rather one of keeping the equipment.
I should add that this is to the best of my recollection; the most recent device we got was a rollator and it was covered entirely by Medicare and probably our Medigap insurance carrier. We paid nothing out of pocket.
After the required amount of time lapsed, we still could use whatever device was, so we continued to do so. Generally, I don't recall having to pay anything to any of the DMEs.
However, there are time limits for some things. You inquired about COPD on another post. We got a nebulizer from Medicare, but when it went into hiding, we were unable to get another one because the requisite time hadn't elapsed. Medicare won't supply replacement devices within a certain time period. I don't know what the specific time limits are for various assistive devices.
I think your best bet is to ask the DME company that supplied the wheelchair; these folks generally know the Medicare rules pretty well.
BTW, if you don't already have the wheelchair, make sure you get the kind that has removable side supports so you can use a transfer board if you need to. When my sister needed one, I was just learning to navigate these kinds of issues and discovered the company had sent a wheelchair w/o removable side arms.
When I called and asked for a replacement chair, I was advised Medicare wouldn't pay for it. However, I've since learned that that particular company is one of the least reputable and cooperative ones.
As to renting vs. buying, I'm just not following the issues, although it's been some time since we dealt with wheelchairs. Same issue with the nebulizer. I'm not understanding why you would buy one directly through Medicare. Must be something I'm missing in the situation.
Are you buying these outright, without prescriptions from doctors? If so, yes, you probably are going to pay more, especially with a DME. But I've really never heard of buying directly from Medicare. Is this being coordinated or recommended through a hospital, doctor's office, rehab facility, or did you make contact with the DME directly?