Free Stuff ????

[Elisabetta]

I got a 500 server error on my response... I'm going to trim it down a bit...

Here's what I deal with every month Al,

rotech_eob.jpg

"Medical Electro Thereput" is "Rotech", but since they REFUSE to bill as such, it keeps kicking it back as "out of network", and I'm having to pay the difference every month. I'm currently 12 months into a 10 month "lease" on a machine that no longer works, and I suspect was actually used when I got it (it had someone else's data in the SD card I would later find out).

In a nutshell, I feel like I got scammed, and there's nothing I can do about it. I've checked. This is completely legal. The politicians don't care. If I was on Medicare or Medicaid I'd simply contact the state attorney general's office, however since this is private insurance it falls under private contract law, and thus, is a civil matter. It could be fought in court, and I'd likely win... maybe, but the legal fee's would be more than the bills I'm fighting... they know this.

I'm over a barrel.

Moon is in the "Gen X" layer, I believe (which is the one I identify with because of timing), and has known nothing whatsoever of pensions -- only the entirely fraudulent IRA and the 401(k) scams. Also, even worse insurance than I had at his age.

I'm technically in "Gen X" by four days, but as I grew up with "older millennials" I consider myself one of them, just an "older one". They also call people in my age group "Xinnials". The oldest millennials were born in a period where hardly anyone even had a computer (1981), and the youngest were born where most people were now on the internet (1996). That's quite a span. Anyway, I digress...

You are correct, I didn't even really know what a pension was until I just took the time to look it up one day. No, people in my age group don't have pensions, we're lucky to even have a job that offers paid vacation and insurance. In this case, I have both, however the insurance is better than most (for a non-union, non-government job), but insurance is only good if it actually covers stuff.

In my case, it seems it's covered everything Liz and I have thrown at it except for this blasted Rotech debacle. Even Liz's CPAP supplies have been covered at a more "normal rate" through my insurance, but she goes through Lincare. Once I get through this I will probably switch over to them, but I have to be careful. Insurance only cover's new machines so many years, I may be stuck with this one for four more years. So what I might do is just pay for a cheap one with cash and just get my supplies from Lincare until such time as I can get a new machine.

Or, I might just let it go all together as my sleep apnea is VERY mild.

I'm just so annoyed and downright angry about this whole situation. I halfway don't trust my insurance anymore. What's the point of having insurance if they can simply "not cover" things at their own will? Yes, I get somewhat angry when people (usually older people) who have been well taken care of by the American system stand up and attack every single proposal that someone makes that might offer an actual SOLUTION for people like me as "SOCIALISM".

It hurts... this thing cost me real money, and sometimes it puts real lives at risk, and I just feel like these "privileged Americans" just don't care.

I know Al and Fred are good men, and I have a lot of respect for them, I consider both of them friends. I just wish they realized how much the policies they support hurt people like me... and I don't mean "snowflake hurt", I mean it actually injures us, it costs us real money, and makes us have to make REAL decisions over whether to obtain life saving medical care... or pay the rent this month, pay the rent, or buy groceries.

We look at other countries, other members here tell us there is a solution, we have options, but we can't try any of them because.... socialism.

And so, me and people like me do without. We could do so much better.

I've just lost all faith in this country. And now I hear the oligarchs are wanting to reinstate the draft. And the Republicans are already frothing at the mouth to get these little sissy boys in a military uniform to beat the girly out of them. I've got some bad news for them [the hyper-macho politicians], I've known some formidable crossdressers that were once Marines, many members on this website have an honorable military background.

But I'm just sitting here thinking... why defend a country that prizes a system that screws its citizens over?

Why die for a country that hates us? As for me... if I had a say in it, I'd almost support being reinstated back under the crown. It is clear the "American experiment" has failed.

Insurance will cover a new machine for you because your current machine quit working. They did mine when it quit because the fan blew out in it.

[Faldaguy]

Moon and more of ye....

Sleep Apnea and CPAP machines are indeed real issues and the 'medical industry' in the US has the system rigged for their benefit, not the users -- but those same users have been through the ringer themselves and can provide all the inside/useful type info you need online. I've used one for about 35 years now; given several away, used most every version that has been offered including the short-lived "D" Pap etc and would be happy to discuss issues with any who wish via PM's. The Lions Club in many areas have Durable Medical Equipment depots where they gather hand outs, recycle equipment, have surplus and donated supplies -- often including CPAP machines and parts. [It is actually free!] Access to the "technicians" settings on most machines is easily found online. (An aside; many if not most who can't abide or get used to a CPAP fail because of improper fitting mask/types and excessive pressure settings that do more harm than good in obtaining compliance.) Anyway, if any of ye 'Yanks' want to yak with a long-time user just drop my a PM. Faldaguy

[moonshadow]

Thanks for all the advice everyone

Just be to be clear, though I am generally a BIG fan of Bernie Sanders, believe it or not, I am not seeking anything "free".

I simply expect to be delivered what was promised, and that being a working machine 80% covered by my medical insurance that I pay $400 per month to have.

In this regard, the system has failed me, and I am greatly disappointed. It has created a mentality where I no longer really trust my insurance any longer. I got ripped off.. and nobody likes getting ripped off. I could understand if this was from some shady used car deal, or some kind of online bit coin scam... no... I flat out got scammed by a trusted and bona-fide medical system, and that's what really burns.

Rotech usually charges my insurance around the 15th of every month.... so far as of this writing I've not seen a claim for April... so I'm hoping... hoping like hell that this ordeal is finally OVER!

Anyway... sometimes I wonder if all of this is worth it? I debate on leaving the practice of my primary care physician and just using urgent care for acute illnesses as they arise, managing chronic matters on my own.

I know it seems foolish, but on the other hand, consider that humanity has existed for hundreds of thousands of years without modern medicine.

Foolish? Maybe, but the fact remains, I thought I had good insurance... turns out I don't, and I'm not a very financially wealthy man... so it is what it is, the best medical care in the world might be located right down the street... doesn't mean a hill of beans if I can't afford it.

I know it sounds like I'm ranting again... I'm not... I'm very calm at the moment.

I'm just about to give up... that's all.

[moonshadow]

On the other hand.... I REALLY like my doctor...

He's expensive as hell, but at least he knows how to correctly bill the insurance, thus I usually don't wind up paying much over the copay.

He's one of the few doctors left that's not on the payroll of big pharma, he's also an independent not linked up with the dreaded Ballad Health system.

He'll prescribe pills if absolutely needed, but he always explores a more holistic approach of possible.

His handling of the covid debacle earned him high marks in my book.