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Inogen E-mail...

Posted by garyTX on 5/21/2008, 9:57 pm
69.46.49.210

Recieved this mail from Inogen today and supect the manufacturers are concerned about medicare changes...gary

If you are interested in improving services offered to oxygen users, Inogen needs your help! Inogen is interested in your thoughts and opinions as we strive to continually improve our product offerings and quality of service for oxygen users.

Please take 5 minutes of your time to complete the following online survey.

To start the survey, please click on the link below:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=HnS_2fmW1ILs5UdTIgEoAtEQ_3d_3d

Link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=HnS_2fmW1ILs5UdTIgEoAtEQ_3d_3d

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Re: Inogen E-mail...

Posted by Martha on 5/21/2008, 10:49 pm, in reply to "Inogen E-mail..."
68.12.91.29

I took that survey. They were asking about additional services for Inogen One POC users. They wanted to know if you would be interested in emergency equipment replacement service while out of town and if you would be interested in a physician answering service while out of town. They also wanted to know if you were willing to pay for it. I didn't see that it had a thing to do with Medicare.

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Re: Inogen E-mail...

Posted by Chris M. on 5/21/2008, 10:19 pm, in reply to "Inogen E-mail..."
199.232.88.73

I think we may be going to see a lot of direct sales pitches too. It may become a nightmare for newcomers to have to pick out which advertisement product will work for them.
First they are going to create a need for products and that includes making folks worry about how they will breath without their current suppliers and some oxygen products...then they will show how wonderful they, whatever brand product, their personal care and their finacing will be...Just like the scooter and wheelchair folks are too...

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Re: Inogen E-mail...

Posted by MaryEllen on 5/22/2008, 12:39 am, in reply to "Re: Inogen E-mail..."
76.237.120.156

I find it ineteresting that POC's or OGPE's as medicare refers to them are covered under the medicare rules. Why aren't more people requesting them instead of concentrators and cylinders for portables use? If I were able to make a change, I would get a POC as my stationary unit and purchase outright my own electric concentrator. I would have the best of both worlds that way. A concentrator that travels and a unit for home use. Am I missing something in my thinking on this?

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Re: Inogen E-mail...

Posted by Helen-CO on 5/22/2008, 8:38 am, in reply to "Re: Inogen E-mail..."
24.8.179.226

Medicare covers only one 02 system. If the POC and concentrator are one's only sources, what does a person do for things like walking the dog, running to the store or going to grandkids' events?

POC's aren't available for those of us with 5/6 or higher liter flow needs (I don't think).

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Re: Inogen E-mail...

Posted by CarolCA on 5/22/2008, 12:47 am, in reply to "Re: Inogen E-mail..."
67.164.118.40

So would I but I only have about 6 months left before my 36 months is up and they are not about to give anyone that is at the end of their 36 months a POC. Maybe new people starting their 36 months but if you were on O2 before 1/06 your 36 months began on 1/06 and you will own what you have now as of 1/09 in regards to concentrators.

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Re: Inogen E-mail...

Posted by Chris M. on 5/22/2008, 11:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Inogen E-mail..."
199.232.88.157

And just who's going to check my closet when I swear I have only one system...?

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Re: Inogen E-mail...

Posted by CarolCA on 5/23/2008, 12:51 am, in reply to "Re: Inogen E-mail..."
67.164.118.40

Sorry, i don't understand what you are saying. Medicare knows that they have been billed for you for 36 months so they are not going to authorize another system from another company. If you have your own that is different but they are not going to pay for 2 concentrators. As soon as you apply they will know that you have been on Medicare and for how long. As far as for a POC to use as a portable if you can get someone to do that then more power to you. It isn't going to happen around here. It is just too expensive which is why they are putting in the Homefill for portable use.

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Re: Inogen E-mail...

Posted by Chris M. on 5/23/2008, 1:19 am, in reply to "Re: Inogen E-mail..."
199.232.90.142

Carol, have you heard of EBAY? Have you heard of folks who could try to game the system? Two systems at one time..Anyone can see the intent.
BUT if your needs change and you own a system that's now inadequate but purchased thru Medicare, is someone now allowed to look at it in the closet? How can they determine that a new prescription is excessive. Surely you are not suggesting that someone might not need a different system down the road.
I was not suggesting concurrent use under the one at a time theory, only that after you own this deal, your needs could change, say, in 4 yrs....you might be needing something different, bigger than say, homefill 11...or a different sytem.

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Re: Inogen E-mail...

Posted by CarolCA on 5/23/2008, 2:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Inogen E-mail..."
67.164.118.40

I was replying to Mary Ellen saying she would prefer the POC be paid for by Medicare rather than the concentrator which she could afford to buy herself. I still don't know what you are talking about because it is not what I was talking about. If you have a 5 liter concentrator and need a 10 liter one of course they have to give it to you but if you just want a POC for convenience sake instead of the Homefill the O2 company is not required to give it to you. We are talking concentrators and POC's, POC's at this point with their liter output would not be something that would be required medically. If you call any O2 company when you are into your 36 months to any extent and want a new concentrator or new system just because you want to make a change they will not give you a new concentrator. IF you don't believe me call around, I have and the first thing they ask is " how long have you had your concentrator?"

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Re: Inogen E-mail...

Posted by PennyPA on 5/23/2008, 10:02 am, in reply to "Re: Inogen E-mail..."
24.106.207.125

What about someone who is only getting E tanks through Medicare? No portables, no concentrator. Would they, at some time along this bumpy road, then be able to get a concentrator via Medicare?

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