HillRom - The Vest Company's Law Suit

[CFHockeyMom]

Just to clarify, even if you didn't seemingly pay for the vest (ie. your insurance paid for it), you did indeed pay for the vest and quite frankly so does everyone else. So, if the vest company is indeed overcharging for the vest, we are all paying for it in some way.

Now, that said, I don't believe that any cost is too high for the vest. It's benefits are simply not measurable in dollars and cents. If they are making a profit off of the vest, good for them. They deserve it and at the same time are helping thousands of people. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

 

[CFHockeyMom]

Just to clarify, even if you didn't seemingly pay for the vest (ie. your insurance paid for it), you did indeed pay for the vest and quite frankly so does everyone else. So, if the vest company is indeed overcharging for the vest, we are all paying for it in some way.

Now, that said, I don't believe that any cost is too high for the vest. It's benefits are simply not measurable in dollars and cents. If they are making a profit off of the vest, good for them. They deserve it and at the same time are helping thousands of people. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

 

[skh]

My daughter uses the Vest but we haven't received anything yet. I guess Hill Rom has always been good to us. I will have to check this out. Thanks for the heads up!

Sue

 

[skh]

My daughter uses the Vest but we haven't received anything yet. I guess Hill Rom has always been good to us. I will have to check this out. Thanks for the heads up!

Sue

 

[princessjdc]

same, havent recieved any papers, but I got my vest from another place, so that is why probably.

 

[princessjdc]

same, havent recieved any papers, but I got my vest from another place, so that is why probably.

 

[anonymous]

We received the same letter.

Our son has been using the vest for several years and Hill Rom has been excellent to work with. They have overnighted a box so we could check the vest on an airplane, overnighted new tubes, etc.. A few years ago they were offering free vests and they would fight your insurance company and if they would not pay they would not make you pay. This is why the costs are so high on the vest because some insurance will pay more than others and their excellent cutomer service.

Since I have had such good response and been treated so good by this company I plan on opting out of the settlement since this appears to be simply a money grab by a bunch of over zealous lawyers.

 

[anonymous]

We received the same letter.

Our son has been using the vest for several years and Hill Rom has been excellent to work with. They have overnighted a box so we could check the vest on an airplane, overnighted new tubes, etc.. A few years ago they were offering free vests and they would fight your insurance company and if they would not pay they would not make you pay. This is why the costs are so high on the vest because some insurance will pay more than others and their excellent cutomer service.

Since I have had such good response and been treated so good by this company I plan on opting out of the settlement since this appears to be simply a money grab by a bunch of over zealous lawyers.

 

[CowTown]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Anonymous</b></i><br>Kelly,

Found on page 13,"Termination by Defendents". It appears that if a certain undisclosed percentage of people "opt-out", this settlement may be terminated. Also, for every one that opts out, the settlement amount lessens. Like I said, I'm no expert, but that is what it appears to be saying. So it would be my opinion that enough people did "opt-out" it could definately save the company alot of money. So it does not appear completely out of our hands yet.

Teri
2005CFmom (sorry not logged in)<hr></blockquote>


I didn't see that part. If that is what they're saying, then I think that is a very worth while reason to think about opting out. Who knows how many people are involved and it could result in like $500 bucks or something. I personally agree that Hill-Rom has great to me too, and eventhough the Vest costs around $15k, I'm really really glad that I have one! I would be very sad if I couldn't get one. So maybe to help protect those (Hill-Rom) who have treated us CFers with respect enough to pursue our therapy needs, it's worth opting out. That is again, as long as the settlement amount reduces and or possible gets dismissed.

I suppose it would be other medical companies that have been angered by Hill-Rom having been more successful with their products distribution and non-competitive pricing. How many of us know The Vest company???? I imagine almost all of us. That means they've done us right. No one here is complaining about their services or products. Sure the vest is super expensive and not realistic to afford, but at the same time, how many of us have one, use one, and or want one? Why hurt the company that is helping us? Well, I remember someone else here said there are other companies that make a vest. Hmmm, I still don't know what to do. I'll be thinking about it.

 

[CowTown]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Anonymous</b></i><br>Kelly,

Found on page 13,"Termination by Defendents". It appears that if a certain undisclosed percentage of people "opt-out", this settlement may be terminated. Also, for every one that opts out, the settlement amount lessens. Like I said, I'm no expert, but that is what it appears to be saying. So it would be my opinion that enough people did "opt-out" it could definately save the company alot of money. So it does not appear completely out of our hands yet.

Teri
2005CFmom (sorry not logged in)<hr></blockquote>


I didn't see that part. If that is what they're saying, then I think that is a very worth while reason to think about opting out. Who knows how many people are involved and it could result in like $500 bucks or something. I personally agree that Hill-Rom has great to me too, and eventhough the Vest costs around $15k, I'm really really glad that I have one! I would be very sad if I couldn't get one. So maybe to help protect those (Hill-Rom) who have treated us CFers with respect enough to pursue our therapy needs, it's worth opting out. That is again, as long as the settlement amount reduces and or possible gets dismissed.

I suppose it would be other medical companies that have been angered by Hill-Rom having been more successful with their products distribution and non-competitive pricing. How many of us know The Vest company???? I imagine almost all of us. That means they've done us right. No one here is complaining about their services or products. Sure the vest is super expensive and not realistic to afford, but at the same time, how many of us have one, use one, and or want one? Why hurt the company that is helping us? Well, I remember someone else here said there are other companies that make a vest. Hmmm, I still don't know what to do. I'll be thinking about it.

 

[2005CFmom]

Here is a link to the actual settlement agreement (hopefully is will work, even if you have to copy & paste!)

http://www.spartanburgclassaction.com/settlement.php3


I think the "opt-out" information (settlement will be reduced) starts on page 11, and on page 13 has info about terminating the settlement if a certain % opt-out.

 

[2005CFmom]

Here is a link to the actual settlement agreement (hopefully is will work, even if you have to copy & paste!)

http://www.spartanburgclassaction.com/settlement.php3


I think the "opt-out" information (settlement will be reduced) starts on page 11, and on page 13 has info about terminating the settlement if a certain % opt-out.

 

[Landy]

I'm sure I'm a little over zealous, it's just that I feel that some pharmaceutical companies charge way too much for stuff just because they can. Especially when it's a monopoly type situation, like the vest was for years. I know that HillRom has been wonderful and I didn't mean to single them out, I guess I just have issues w/ a lot of pharmaceutical companies.
I have a CF friend that has used Colistin for years and it was...I want to say about $600 a month when he first started using it and then when it was discovered that it was beneficial for CFs, the price increased something like 200%. I don't even know what it is now for a months supply.
I sent an email to the company when this happened asking why the 200% increase in price & of course, I didn't get a response.
This is just one of those things I'm passionate about & you can just ignore me.....I'll get off my soap box now<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Landy]

I'm sure I'm a little over zealous, it's just that I feel that some pharmaceutical companies charge way too much for stuff just because they can. Especially when it's a monopoly type situation, like the vest was for years. I know that HillRom has been wonderful and I didn't mean to single them out, I guess I just have issues w/ a lot of pharmaceutical companies.
I have a CF friend that has used Colistin for years and it was...I want to say about $600 a month when he first started using it and then when it was discovered that it was beneficial for CFs, the price increased something like 200%. I don't even know what it is now for a months supply.
I sent an email to the company when this happened asking why the 200% increase in price & of course, I didn't get a response.
This is just one of those things I'm passionate about & you can just ignore me.....I'll get off my soap box now<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[blindhearted]

I was just wondering if anyone has found out any new information as far as this lawsuit goes? I'm still not too clear on all of it. I know HillRom is being sued for high prices, but still no sure why I (or any of us) have been brought into it. Has anyone decided if they are going to stay in or opt-out?

 

[CowTown]

Hi Danyell, I kind of put this stuff aside for a few days, but I need to find out more too. I sent all the info to a family member who is also an attorney to get his opinion. I will write back here with his feedback when I get it.

I'm leaning toward the opting-out side, but I still don't know and need to understand more of what all is involved still.
Thanks for bumping this thread back up.

 

[julie]

I agree that hillrom is a great company and the vest is a wonderful product (if you are one who can stand to use it). BUT.... there are many families out there that cannot afford to pay for it, or insurance doesn't cover it. The thing is, maybe if they lowered the costs a bit insurance companies would be more willing to cover it, families who NEED the vest might be able to find some grants and scholarships for it (yes, I know the vest company is willing to work out payment arrangements with people, even those who really can't afford it. But, they don't do it for everyone, I know a few who have been forced to pay or had to return the vest) and actually afford it.

There are 2 very good sides of the fence to be sitting on here, and for a while I though it over and disagreed about getting information on the lawsuit and even poopooed on myself for thinking about joining it. But 15,000 for a vest, come on, that thing must cost about $2000 to manufacturer-if that.

The website MyNewfy gave is great, you can ask to recieve an informational packet about the suit, and the choose to join or opt out. I would recommend everyone at least look into it.

Just my 2 cents