My mom hurt her back and was sent to the emergency room. After X-ray and CAT scan, the doctor prescribed a LSO brace for her. A while later, some one brought the brace in and put on for my mom. He asked me to sign a form to agree them to charge my insurance company. If the insurance does not pay, I will be responsible to pay the brace. I signed without hesitation.
A few months later, I got a letter from my insurance. There was a bill of $1386.43 for this brace sent from EBI to my insurance. But my insurance company refused to pay. They told me the brace is a durable medical equipment and in my policy they will only cover durable equipments for standard wheelchair and standard hospital bed. I wrote appeal letter to them, but hey insisited the brace was not coverd in my policy.
I am going to pay the brace myself. I called EBI right away and someone told me I can get 40% off if I pay by myself. So that brings the total amount to $831. Before I thought about this further, I agreed to pay this amount and I even told them my credit card number. When I put the phone down, I browsed the web for LSO brace price. It seems there are no brace that is worth more than $530. I called EBI again and ask them to lower my price. They told me the brace I got is of EBI brand, and is of premium top quality. So I have to pay higher for the brace.
After I got home that day, I examined the product description on the brace and found out it is of Aspen brand with serial number 990040. I then looked for the exactly same Aspen product on the web, and found on the following web site it is available for purchasing at $479.95.
Http://www.dme-direct.com/aspen-lso-brace/
This is really a ripoff. I called them and told them what I found. And they agred to take another $30 off and made my balance down to $800. They told me this is the lowest they can go. Later I talked with a lady who is a supervisor of customer service. She told me I can get a good deal on the web. But that price is not the price they get. EBI has doctors and facilities and the price is higher. I understand there will be some overhead charge. But I do not expect it to be more than $300. I made her an offer of $500, but she did not accept. I then told her there were already two people wrote ripoff report for EBI at usacomplaints.com site. Eventually, she brought the total amount down to $700. If I do not pay this amount, they will forward me to the collection agency after certain period of time.
So I have to appreciate EBI only overcharges me for about $200, not $300 or more. The lession I learned is to check with my insurance for the coverage of any item or equipment, and also I need to check the price before I accept anything.
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