[Kristin]

Due to non-compliant patients, and patients who just do not want to continue therapy, we have amassed over the last few years a surplus of used CPAP/BIPAP machines. When we set up new patients we don't typically set them on a used machine, expecting them to follow compliance guidelines and continue to use the machine until it is converted to purchase or capped out. However, it does not always work out this way, thus the issue I described above. How do you handle this situation? Do you start patients out renting a used machine, and then if they meet compliance requirements swap it out for a new one? When its a third party insurance and we bill up front as a purchase we can append the UE modifier, but that cannot be used for rentals like Medicare patients. Any advice or shared experience would be helpful. Thank you!

[lsologuren]

Medicare does not require a brand new in the box CPAP to be provided. The same thing holds true for beds and wheelchairs that also cap out after 13 months.