Can you return a nebulizer?? INS CO VENT!

So DS was put on a nebulizer last month when he had bronchiolitis. Our ped office gave us one and said because we have Cigna, there's no co-pay and they'll take care of the paperwork.

Ok, great. I call Cigna to verify this and Cigna says as long as the ped office billed Cigna as if the MD (and not the manufacturer) is the provider, then there's no copay. They encourage me not to use the doc's co. because they have their own 'approved' durable goods provider, Apria, which Cigna will cover at 100% but it takes 48-72 hrs to receive the unit so I should call them right away.

I then call our ped's office to confirm this is how she'll bill it, and the office mgr said they'll take care of everything. I asked her if they'll bill as Dr. ABCs office and she said, Yes, you have no copay. Don't worry.

So today I get a statement from Cigna showing the bill from Homelink and I owe $137!!

I made the same set of phone calls again today and Cigna asks me to return the unit to the ped, and order again from Apria. I call my ped, but the office mgr is out and the girl who answers the phone says she's never heard of them taking back a piece of medical equipment. They'll call me back.

So I call Apria to set things in motion (if it takes 2-3 days to get the unit I want to get it soon because the holidays are taking over the shipping co's right now). Apria won't process anything unless they get the script from our ped's office. They also mention that Cigna might not approve the purchase because they've already paid 80% of another unit. She also said that "for future reference, ma'am, we can arrange for same-day delivery."

I call Cigna back and complain. If my DC's doc tells us that he needs a medical treatment that requires us to buy a piece of equipment, and the doc has the equip in his office, OF COURSE I WILL BUY IT FROM HIM instead of waiting 2-3 days to treat my child when the 'approved' vendor's delivery is estimated. UGH.

I'm pretty sure the doc's office will not take it back and we'll be forced to eat the $130+ but now that I'm heading into the unpaid portion of my maternity leave, I'd rather see that $ go towards groceries or a bill instead of this racket.

Thanks for reading - long vent!

Re: Can you return a nebulizer?? INS CO VENT!

ughh..
my insurance is horrible...so we actually "rent" ours and I have only paid 20.00 for it as a start up 14 mos ago.

I think dr would take it back and just make you responsible for tubes.