Lincare Holdings
Reviews and Complaints

My experience included an incredibly sullen and petulant Respiratory Therapist and an associate that was out of control, rude beyond belief and threatening to my face. "I'm gonna call your doctor ..."

I am perfectly capable of calling my doctor. If I were her employer I would put a reprimand in her file immediately and put her on notice.

The respiratory therapist walked in with a sullen attitude, as though she could NOT wait to get this over with. Believe me, nor could I.

When I asked if there were a new machine coming out soon and could I exchange this she went to town. Yes, she believed there was but no, I could not exchange it. Her indifference and sullenness was growing by the minute to borderline aggression. She returned with the associate and behaved in an outright aggressive fashion stating, "We know your game."

I told her I intended to purchase my own when the new machine came out. Whoa, that set off the LINCARE alarms, I did not understand what that meant to Lincare's bottom line. If I do not use their machine and am not Medicare compliant 21 days a month and four hours a day, they get their machine back and do not get that good old Medicare money.

It looks like they are charging Medicare $1800 for a machine I can purchase from CPAP.com for less than $700. They were ALL upset. The therapist said, "We know your game." She claimed I had stated I was going to return the machine. I never said that, I did ask about it, though. I can see the inference, that if the new machine does come out and I switch to it, Lincare will not get their money because I will not be compliant.

The anger from the associate was off the charts. The sullenness of the respiratory therapist was inexcusable and clearly pushed the boundary of what she could get away with and keep her job. Did she ever stir the pot when she thought Lincare might not get paid as a result of my purchasing a new CPAP because that could happen in the ninety day period. That means their machine would not be in use during the Medicare compliance period and they would NOT get paid.

This staff has serious issues. The associate did call my doctor and force me to get on the phone with his receptionist. WHY? What was that little power play all about. For one thing, it was about slander.

This is a seriously dysfunctional group of women. ANYWHERE BUT HERE. It is time to contract everyone you know in Congress about overpaying for medical equipment. They are seriously over-charging medicare. THis is now my mission to get to the bottom of how much is being paid for CPAP machines and understanding why. I encourage you to do the same. I will continue to post here about what I find out.

My Mother in Law Diane Kennedy was set up with Oxygen Concentrator in March of 2019. She didn't have insurance and was visiting from out of state. I had arranged with customer service to pay the monthly fee of $115 which I was told was the total amount and I would be billed monthly for it. Fast forward to the end of June, I get a call from customer care indicating they don't have my credit card # and they need me card # now. At that moment I wasn't home, I was in the middle of closing on my new home and to tell you the truth I just don't give my credit card # out to people who call and demand it from me. So, I told the rep I would call back and deal with this when I had time. Then Bruno gets on the phone the rep who had been out to our home 2 times and whom I had given the credit card # to twice. He said he misplaced the # which irritated me even more, because now my credit card # is floating around somewhere. I told him it wasn't my problem he lost it; I still wasn't giving out my card # at that moment. He got nasty with me and so Oh yeah, it's not your problem, your not dealing with me now. I said no. I don't have the time. He then nastily said well then call back when you have the time and hung up.

When I got home my mother in law told me she got a call they found my credit card # and were charging me $460. I never approved the $460 charge. I approved $115 a month. Just because your company made several errors doesn't make it my fault. I believe I spoke with Caesar at that moment. He indicated the $460 would be the only charge, I was extremely furious that I was being inconvenienced for your company's mistake, but I didn't have the time to deal with it any further as I was moving. He assured me I wouldn't have any other charges after the $460. I wanted to dispute the charge because your company had no right to charge me $460 in one shot because of an error. I had to figure out how to not have my account bounce any other authorized charges for the mistake of your company. But I was threatened by him that the equipment would be picked up at that moment and my mother in law would be left with nothing and would not be able to fly home the following week. So, I had no other choice, which is really disgusting of your company.

Now I see a charge for $11.24. I didn't authorize this charge either. Why does your company continue to use my credit card for charges I don't authorize? I will be disputing this with my bank. I will also be sending a copy of this letter to the BBB. I will write a review on any social media I can find. Your company is a terrible company to deal with. I can see why insurance companies don't want to deal with your company.

Very truly yours,

Melissa Kennedy

I have been trying to reach someone in the Dover office because one of our patients has been unable to reach them either. He has been trying to get supplies for his nebulizer. His tubing is GRAY! I ordered this for him in March. He has yet to receive ANY supplies!
And I've called the the "I Care " team in Fla three times . Twice I was told I'd get a call back from the Dover office Manager and haven't. I just called again and was told there is NO record of the last 2 times I called ! The other 2 people I spoke with put me on hold and tried the Dover office themselves and got the answering service as well. The woman I just spoke with told me they cant put me on hold so she doesn't know what they were talking about.
This is getting old.
And this is VERY POOR patient care on Lincares part. I am the one who orders nebulizers, cpaps and O2 for our office and I can promise you I will only use Lincare if I'm desperate .

My husband used Lincare service from Lake Havasu, AZ for the past few years. I paid the bill every month sending it to Orlando, Florida. On January 7, 2019 my husband passed away. I called the Lake Havasu office a few days after and they picked up the in home oxygen machine and compact oxygen machine the following Wednesday, that is the day they are in our area. The next month I received a bill for $106.20. My husbands bill was always $21.24 a month because medicare paid also. I called The Orlando, Florida office to find out what the charge was for and they would not tell me anything because they said they could only discuss it with my husband. I explained that when a person dies, they are no longer here. They would still not tell me, and said I needed to go to the courthouse here in town to get a form saying I was power of attorney because they have no way of knowing who I was. I never needed power of attorney for any other company. I do know that they always charged a yearly fee so I am sure they hurried up to send that to me. I'm not going to worry about it but I did want people to see how uncaring and unfair they are to me in this very sad and difficult time. I have tears running down my face right now.

Sincerely,
Karen Sjullie

My mother has COPD and now requires oxygen 24/7. I cannot tell you how many times she has had a problem with this poorly run company. No one has ever called her, in 8 years, to service her machine, and that is the least of the problem. When she places an order for supplies, sets up a service call, etc. the lack of adequate she receives is actually shocking. I have called Lincare myself to help my mother and there is no communication. They never return any calls, ever. My mom will call 4 times in two days, as for a supervisor and nothing. Not just once did this happen, this happens every time. When someone finally shows up, after being promised by the office personnel, it's not until days later with no call ahead. They just show up. They recently hijacked my mothers portable oxygen unit. It stopped working so eventually, they came by to pick it up. They assured my elderly mother that not to worry, we will have it back to you within 2 weeks. She called at the 2 week mark, only to be told that it cannot be fixed and that in 2 more weeks, they would have a new one for her. Two weeks later my mother called and they told her that they were wrong in providing that unit to her years previous and she can't have it back. The lies this company tells elderly, sick, desperate people, I am surprised that they are still in business. I believe that the government should intervene and the office for the aging, department of health and human services need to get to the bottom of this. There should be fines for putting people's lives in jeopardy, looks like hundreds of times if you read the reviews, and those are just the customers who have computer. The Lincare representatives who are answering these valid claims, are so rude, blaming the customer for all of this. No sense of responsibility for their poorly run business and how that impacts the lives of so many, and their families. The lack of management, quality of service and unprofessional manner in which this essential service is run, is deplorable.

I have been with lincare for 15 plus years and in the last 2 years this company has went down hill. I was just spoken to lime a dog by a woman who was very rude when i tomd her my sons equipment has not been working correctly. My son is a special needs child with many machines and they must stay charged due to emergency. She told me to bad he was not getting a new suction machine and feefing machine. This is unacceptable. I will be going to a new company.

Your employees were on my property when they opened my storm door to put their flyer on my door knob. They didn't make sure the door was closed and it was blown open in a storm that evening. My door and porch light was damaged. I called in and was told by a manager that it would be taken care of. I was asked to take pictures and get them to the I Care dept. Then I was told they didn't care and wouldn't pay for the damage and I was hung up on. I am now in the process of posting a review everywhere I can to explain that your company does not take responsibility for damage that is directly caused by their employees being at someones home.

I moved from one town to another August 2018. I have made multiple calls to the company requesting that my local office be changed. To date (06/11/19), this has not been done.

I have been trying to check out other mask options for my CPAP machine. Initially, they told me that I would need a doctors order to get that done. I complied and have called them several times to find out what my next step is. Every time I call them, I am told that someone will call me back within 48 hours. That has not happened.

I thought this was a random failure, however I have had several patients that I work with in my hospital complain about the same thing. My next step will be to call Medicare and ask for another provider. I am long overdue for new supplies.

My ResMed Aircurve 10 ASV CPAP machine has stopped working properly and needs repaired. I have had difficulty obtaining the correct information and facts to pursue repairs or replacement. This issue seems to be overly complicated and any mistakes could be costly. There is a great deal of disparity of information provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield and Lincare creating a gap of unknowns. I am extremely disappointed with the accuracy and clarity of information from customer service provided by Lincare of Fort Wayne.
Issues:
1. Actual delivery date not clear and Lincare unable to provide actual date - Original purchase was from Home Health Depot (recently purchased by Lincare) and no records seem to be available. BCBS said Lincare should provide this information.

2. Replacement date provided by Lincare is in conflict with BCBS - this places me a risk for total costs of a new unit with out insurance coverage. Lincare stated the unit could be replaced based on the last invoice date of 12-31-15 (somehow this date showed up after five days of questions) - this is in direct conflict of the benefits information provided by BCBS Benefits Representative - requires five years + rental period (23 months) to qualify - the concern here is if I take delivery I could then be obligated for the entire costs of a new unit. Potentially >$5, 000.00. This is misrepresentation of facts. Lincare did provide a reference number I9400002 from "Dave" at Anthem BCCS, The benefit representative had not record or could relate that number to any reference files?.

3. Lincare demands a doctor's visit and prescription for a replacement unit, including repairs. BCBS does not require the additional services for a repair/replacement unit - these costs are excessive and would be my burden.

4. With a five-year replacement cycle there is no effort to assist with replacement or repair if the unit fails after the two your warranty prior to the five-year cycle unit through Lincare. This is a gap in the system - yes repairs can be deducted from yearly deductible unfortunately I have a $6, 000 deductible plan.

5. The more one digs into the requirements of insurance and the service provider and analysis of the total cost and complexity of the problem the more important it is to have accurate and clear information. Overall customer service experience has been very poor, request for information not accurate, request for call back when transferred to a different department not completed. There does not seem to be a trusted level of expertise at the office. I finally requested to speak with a manager for clarification of information from BCBS and Lincare on two different days finally on the second day Ebony returned the call she was less than empathetic or helpful and once she did return my call her attitude was less than professional- "this is what you get take it or leave it attitude". My request was simply to relay and clarify information from BCBS to ensure I could make a decision with the correct data. This mis-information and her attitude only generates excess frustration for an expensive and complicated problem.

My original goal was to gather all of the required information to make a value-based decision to repair or replace my CPAP within the limitations of BCBS insurance - I'm not sure yet today that I have accurate information and which direction to pursue. I do know that working with the FW Lincar office has been exhausting and frustrating. I have less than a good impression of Lincare and will be looking for another provider.

I do not have the records of when the first CPAP was delivered, either four or five years ago. It has been replaced once during the warranty period for a similar problem on about 6-16. The original company I was directed to in network directed to for purchase of my CPAP (?Home Health Depot?) was purchased by Lincare three years ago. I'm told the CPAP has a five-year durable equipment replacement cycle. I asked Lincare for the delivery date to see if I needed to pursue a new unit or a replacement and if they would provide the shipped date - well they do not have or will not access those records. So I asked Lincare about possible repair (approximately 6 weeks and $700 to $880 or more for a repair) plus the cost of a rental unit. If I were to purchase a new unit and only if I was eligible (> 5yrs) Also I would be required to get a new sleep study and doctors' orders for a repair / replacement.

I have called the Fort Wayne IN Lincare office for the five past days in a row to find a solution without getting the information needed. For each of the first three days I was told someone would call me back - that never happened no one called me back. On the forth day again I talked with a Customer Service Specialist and a CPAP counselor and still left with questions so I asked for a manager to call me back - that did not happen until I called back again. I then spoke with a manger named Ebony, she was not very helpful or understanding. When I share my discussion with the BCBS benefits rep she became indignant and proceeded to tell what she would do. I would say she was rude and she proceeded to tell me how it was going to be. I explained again that I was requesting that she follow up with BCBS in reference to the questions and information noted below.

I did call BCBS, my insurance company, the benefits group can only look back 3 years for history and if a claim was filed the too soon I would be ineligible and would be charged the full amount. I was also told by my insurance benefits that Lincare should provide the following:
1. ship date of original equipment
2. That durable equipment was to last for the period required - in this case 5 years- or should be repaired or replaced by the provider (Lincare) for the original cycle.
3. That there is no insurance requirement that a sleep study or new doctor's orders are required to repair or replace the unit.

What does it feel like to hear "I can't help you" well if you sent me products I did not order, then it is your responsibility to take care of the problem. It has taken months to resolve an issue, because I requested to be removed from auto delivery, (CPAP supplies). A week later, I'm I got notification of a shipment that I did not order and requested to be stopped. They told me from AZ that I have to contact the warehouse, wait who's company is this and who is running it... not me. First didn't order, had to wait to receive it and then wait another-4-6 weeks for a label. The box came smashed, so I had to find a box and then take it to the UPS store. Wanted 4 months and still no credit, just nasty letters. My insurance just ordered me a new CPAP machine and they didn't want to deal with them, so going with another company. SAD, I work in customer service everyday and if I told my customers, I couldn't help them I would not have a job and their would be no company. I dealt with American Home Patient for over 4 years and they were easy to deal with, but when the parent company Lincare took over and said AHP couldn't ship to me anymore, funny coming out of the same warehouse. I told them once they credit my account and it is the correct balance I would pay, but not until then. Horrible, Horrible customer service. Glad this chapter is over.

Ordered c pap supplies in janurary. They sent me the wrong tubing and filters. I used the smaller tubing, but next time I will make sure its the correct one. I did ask for a correct filter as the 2 they sent did not fit. When the bill came it charged me for 3 filters. They did not ask for the correct ones back. I asked if they would be sending me a corrected bill, was told yes. It is now april 24th, i've waited on hold over 15 minutes several times, been told # on bill is incorrect, this dept. Is open but the one you need is closed for the day, call back. Today 1st person said I need to mail back original wrong filters. I asked why they didn't tell me that. She connected me with 2nd person who took information, then said I didn't have to mail them back. She connected me with billing, and was going to send a screen shot to them showing a credit in march. Yet none of my bills show a credit, and the amount continues to be the same as original bill. I have been on hold with them now over a half hour while i'm writing this. They have monopolized way too much of my time! I'm done with lincare.

If you live in Broomfield Colorado and need oxygen equipment, AVOID Lincare. I bought my own equipment from another vendor and when I scheduled twice for Lincare's equipment to be picked up, the guy came on the wrong days when I wasn't home and had the nerve to leave a message on v-mail that sounded like a complaint about why I wasn't home. Lincare continues to charge my medical plan for the time the equipment remains in my home.

This company is sheer [censored]. I use to use carelink oxygen and for those who are disabled and cannot afford to pay the full bill, there was a 100% write off after insurance paid. This company gives a measly 4.00 off and also require a card on file to take your payment. In the process of finding another oxygen company. I never hated a place as much as this one. They lost my proof of income and claimed I never sent it, calling me stupid pretty much.

My brother needs oxygen for COPD and could not pay the copay. I call them and pay for one month supply so my brother has time to file hardship papers that they are supose to deliver with the oxygen. We wait, and wait, and wait. My brother calls to ask when it will be delivered and they indicate there is a problem. If you do not set up for auto withdraw from you checking account then they will need three months paid in advance. They claim they tried to call me and my brother both. No messages left with either phone so I do not believe they tried to call since I was by my phone pretty much all the time. Meanwhile, my brother condition is worse and he is suffering. How rude and uncaring is that? When I indicated my severe displeasure they were very rude and threatened to not deliver at all. We are talking about Oxygen needed to breathe here. So the family is out a lot of money to satisfy their rules. What do people do that do not have the money and no family? I guess they just let you suffer and die without a second thought. I talked to the Manager David at the Chattanooga office and he is the rudest and vile individual and had zero care for my brother's condition and desperate need for oxygen. I admit I was pissed off that they did not call us and that is my biggest complaint here. They claim they call but I know for a fact they did not. My brother is suffering and dying and they had ZERO care about that and only cares about collecting money UP FRONT holding my brother's condition as the hostage to force payment the way they wanted and in a way that put a hardship on me and my family. DO not use the Chattanooga, TN Lincare services as they do not care about you and only care about money. On top of that, they are rude, incompetent, and uncaring about their patients.

Lincare is a horrible place to deal with my husband went to take a few things back because my insurance wasn't going to pay for it and we couldn't afford it. They wouldn't listen to what he was saying and kept talking down to him like he was an idiot which is uncalled for. Also last time we took things back they kept billing us for it and it took 5 months to get it sorted out so we weren't billed for it anymore. I've never seen such horrible service in my life you should never talk to someone like there stupid. We will probably be switching companies soon.

My family has been using lincare for decades. They have always been great.

Recently, there was a staff change. The person ive had to deal with now (lora) is so cold. She has been the only person ive talked to at lincare (this includes pharmacy, northern ca and southern ca offices) that is just horrible on the phone. Since lincare is dealing with people in need of life saving equipment, maybe put people like her in billing. More compassionate people shoukd be answering the phone. Im sorry if she hates her job, we hate being dependent on oxygen.

Lincare is the worst company I have ever dealt with. No really very poor customer service and Medicare states they are responsible to provide what the Dr orders and they still refuse to supply it because Medicare has already paid the first 2 years of the oxygen unit he currently uses. The portable no longer works as it is too heavy yet they will not switch it out for something he can use due to medicare not paying for it.
This is poor service because if you look into medicare the rule states yes they cannot get new equipment within the 5 year period however, if the current equipment no longer is sufficient for the patient they MUST provide something that works. Four months I have been trying to get a light weight unit for my dad and they still will not process his orders.

My daughter's doctor prescribed COMPLEAT Organics Plant-Based formula and recommended using Lincare for delivery. Lincare sent the Pediatric formula and said that's what the doctor prescribed. I had to ask my doctor for a copy of the prescription because the caloric content between the Pediatric and Adult formulas were different. Turns out Lincare lied about what the doctor prescribed. After repeated calls to Lincare they sent the Chicken formula which was not what the doctor prescribed. Lincare assured me they would send the correct formula, but it never came and when I call I get transferred around until I hang up. So, I was charged $500 for a formula I never received and can't get Lincare to address my issue.