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I wonder if anyone here got the same scam pulled on them that i did.

I'd been using my cpap all night every night for more than 6 years, so i called a sleep study clinic, and asked them what would be involved just to get it retitrated - and maybe replace some of the broken bits i had literally stuck back together with tape, hot glue and wire.

I had very limited insurance (I was a volunteer: VISTA and the US Govt gives us very little coverage, and won't let us work side jobs either!) - so i was floored when they said "We contacted your insurance, they will pay 100% for your sleep study, and if you need one, they will pay 100% for the machine, mask, hoses... everything you need." I wish i had listened to my gut, it said no possible way.

Well, i get my study, get a new machine (my old one died a couple of terrible nights before i got the new one).
The "D"ME ("D"urable my left buttock!) brought the machine, extra nasal pillows, and even gave me a part i hoped would resurrect my old machine so i could have a back-up. (No such luck.)

Fast forward more than 5 months, and the Sleep Study place is complaining my insurance company (Seven Corners) won't pay them. I call the insurance cmpany, they say they not only won't pay for ANY of this, but that they never told the sleep study people that they would! So now - my life depends on a machine and mask that they want to repossess.

I had no choice but to tell them they could pry it from my cold, dead NOSTRILS. I just wanted a tuneup - the study people lied to me so i would get into debt, and the DME sure didn't check the insurance first either!

Nice scam. If i had ANY income, i might have tried paying it down, but this is huge money, and VISTAs get no actual income, just a tiny allowance. So. My credit rating was already terrible, so i had to just tell the DME to ask the study people for the money, and told the study company they are damned lucky i can't afford to sue them

I still get collection agency calls, almost 3 years later.

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I had thought about doing VISTA but have not done anything about it. Now I am glad I didn't after reading your experience.

Have had that happen to me -- but I highly recommend that a person should check with their insurance company directly to learn about coverage prior to having procedures done.
Yes, do check with your insurance! (I was at my wits end, and my CPAP machine's end too as it turned out, so i may have been less than vigilant for that reason.)

Americorps VISTA - like her older sister the Peace Corps - is the toughest job you'll ever love. You really do get to help people that help still more people. But have some considerable amounts of money in savings first!!!

—Keith—

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