Amazing But True! DME Story

[plr66]

I am so astounded by my positive experience today that I just have to tell of it, since so many of us have written about our horrible experiences with lies and deceipt (ignorance?) of DME's which have turned us cynical for absolutely multiple and solid reasons.

Short history--picked a prominent local DME the day after my sleep study--because I had to, in order to get my cpap & supplies immediately, and had no clue about such stuff. Several very unpleasant experiences later dealing with their lying to me, witholding information, and stonewalling my efforts to manage my treatment, I gave this DME their walking papers, returned their rent-to-own machine, and bought my cpap and supplies out of pocket from cpap.com. Also ditched the sleep doc a week or so later. All of this possible because I have obsessively read and participated in this forum since August.

I've written this before, but the sleep lab I used, actually has a small "attached" DME, and one of their RT's did not back away shaking her head and groping for the door knob with widened eyes when I discussed managing my treatment myself and using the software and this forum to do so. She actually said something like "wow." (So did I, when she said that and didn't argue with me about it!!)

So I dropped by there last week to ask to try out an Ultra Mirage FF mask for times when I might be congested. Today when I went back to ask about their price on this mask, because it worked for me, she knew that my insurance deductible is $1000 and I'd end up paying full price for the mask.

Are you ready for this????...........................................

She gave me the new UMFF mask and a new backup Swift LT for a total of...........$24.!!!!!

I said "but you gotta make a living at this......" and she said--well with your deductible, there is just no way and I want you to have what you need, and we have a certain number of promotional sample masks we are allowed every quarter, so I can give you that at our cost."

I am completely stunned. What an awesome act of generosity.
Let's hear it for the good guys out there!!

[alnhwrd]

Yes, there are some good people out there who want to help others out. There are some on this forum as well who make it their business to be in the business of helping new and struggling users. Kudos to them, and to the person who helped you. And congrats on a very nice success story!

[Limestone]

Congrats! Looks like your on your way to good health.I've had numerous bad dealings with DME's,the RT"s on the other hand are usually very interested in helping out and a good number of them really know there stuff.It's unfortunate they are caught in the middle of a high profit game. Glad you found a good one and I hope the relationship continues.

[Babette]

MERRY FREAKIN' XMAS!

Man, that's a GREAT STORY!!! Thanks for reminding us that there ARE good folks in the sleep industry, and WOO HOO on the great mask deal!!!!!

Huggers,
Babs

[boston]

Its good to know there are good DME's out there, and Its great you had such a good experience.

[Bookbear]

SO nice to hear about one of the good'uns!!

[rested gal]

Peggy, that is wonderful to hear!! Ought'a bake that nice lady a holiday cake!!

[DreamStalker]

Yes. I will admit that there are a few posts like yours but they are too few and far between.

Congrats on your good fortune! Your DME shames the many others we hear about on the forum.

[Songbird]

Yes, that's a great story. I'm so happy for you. Let's hear it for that great RT, too. When I had my titration study, my (equally great) RT handed me a nasal mask and a full face mask, knowing I was going to get a nasal pillow mask through my DME. At the time, I had no idea how astounding that was.

Marsha