Ok, OK, When I phoned Praxair and asked , How Much? Their answer was ...Do you have insurance? Cash price was 950 for a cheapo cpap. 200-300 for a mask. Then they refused to return my Rx. I fired them fast and got another Rx.
Beware of the EVIL DME
Chris
Dissatisfied with my clinic and DME vendor in Brooklyn NY
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ahujudybear
- Posts: 354
- Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 10:12 am
- Location: Franklin, WI
The problem here is that there ARE some (I have no idea just how many) DME companies that DO have Respiratory Therapists (notice the plural) and maybe even an RN (like mine does) on staff, who will either treat you in their offices for fiting you with masks and machines, or will come out to your home . They make the rip-off places look very bad <LOL>
Mine does all of this. Maybe it's because I am disabled that she comes all the way out here (about 20 miles from the office), although I know that she does other home visits as well.
All of the people in this facility ahave been very helpful and accommodating.
Their prices are quite a bit higher that cpap.com (c. $100 more for a Mirage Ultra), but they said that they cannot even BUY the stuff for the prices at whiwch they are sold here, and they do have to make a profit to pay their therapists and staff.
But I have no complaints about them at all. My RT not only brought the equipment out here, calibrated it and showed me how to use it, but she helped me rearrange my night stand to make a secure place for the machine. This included cleaning off an old bookcase cube (plastic), cutting rubber mats to fit it, experimenting with positions of BiPAP and humidifier and tray, connecting cords through holes in the sides & back of the cube to plug them into a surge protector, then moving furniture to get to the grounded outlet, etc.... And she has been back about 4 (maybe 5?) times with different equipment or to make changes or to retrieve data. They know I am mobile - I've been to their office twice now - but she does her therapy here.
There ARE GOOD - VERY GOOD - DME providers out there. Guess I'm lucky to have found one of them.
The company name is Medical Equipment Specialists, located in Milwaukee.
There are several such companies in this area for stuff like this, for wheelchair seating, etc. Maybe they are more than just a DME company?
- JB
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): bipap, humidifier, mirage, cpap.com, DME
Mine does all of this. Maybe it's because I am disabled that she comes all the way out here (about 20 miles from the office), although I know that she does other home visits as well.
All of the people in this facility ahave been very helpful and accommodating.
Their prices are quite a bit higher that cpap.com (c. $100 more for a Mirage Ultra), but they said that they cannot even BUY the stuff for the prices at whiwch they are sold here, and they do have to make a profit to pay their therapists and staff.
But I have no complaints about them at all. My RT not only brought the equipment out here, calibrated it and showed me how to use it, but she helped me rearrange my night stand to make a secure place for the machine. This included cleaning off an old bookcase cube (plastic), cutting rubber mats to fit it, experimenting with positions of BiPAP and humidifier and tray, connecting cords through holes in the sides & back of the cube to plug them into a surge protector, then moving furniture to get to the grounded outlet, etc.... And she has been back about 4 (maybe 5?) times with different equipment or to make changes or to retrieve data. They know I am mobile - I've been to their office twice now - but she does her therapy here.
There ARE GOOD - VERY GOOD - DME providers out there. Guess I'm lucky to have found one of them.
The company name is Medical Equipment Specialists, located in Milwaukee.
There are several such companies in this area for stuff like this, for wheelchair seating, etc. Maybe they are more than just a DME company?
- JB
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): bipap, humidifier, mirage, cpap.com, DME
Thanks but I'll stick to the DIY method. Now that I have a Rx I can buy what I want when I want it. I don't have to listen to any BS from someone that just wants to sell or rent some cheap junk for big $ . I can have the BEST for LESS !
The real pisser is the doc gave the Rx to the Praxair guy without asking. Funny how he just happened to be in the docs office. Just a coincidence I'm sure. .....I don't buy it. .
I've bought 3 cpaps, all autos, online , with humidifiers. Total cost for all less than the DME price for 1. Who is doing the cheating? I'd build my own cpap before I'd do business with a Evil DME. Got any old vacuum cleaners or hair dryers around that you aren't using.
The whole system is rigged.
The real pisser is the doc gave the Rx to the Praxair guy without asking. Funny how he just happened to be in the docs office. Just a coincidence I'm sure. .....I don't buy it. .
I've bought 3 cpaps, all autos, online , with humidifiers. Total cost for all less than the DME price for 1. Who is doing the cheating? I'd build my own cpap before I'd do business with a Evil DME. Got any old vacuum cleaners or hair dryers around that you aren't using.
The whole system is rigged.
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guest
just a guest
Crisp,
You obviously didnt read further than the heading on my post, lol.
Go rent a twisted car for hertz for 400% more than its worth to buy monthly, and do the same for anything else on the face of this planet.
You are clueless as to the operational costs of renting something out. You are clueless as to the cost of providing service that is EXPECTED, rather than deserved or implied. That is why you sit there miserable with such disdain over a certain business. You have probably shaved years off your life in stress and anxiety over your inability to see the truth, but good luck anyway!
You obviously didnt read further than the heading on my post, lol.
Go rent a twisted car for hertz for 400% more than its worth to buy monthly, and do the same for anything else on the face of this planet.
You are clueless as to the operational costs of renting something out. You are clueless as to the cost of providing service that is EXPECTED, rather than deserved or implied. That is why you sit there miserable with such disdain over a certain business. You have probably shaved years off your life in stress and anxiety over your inability to see the truth, but good luck anyway!
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ahujudybear
- Posts: 354
- Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 10:12 am
- Location: Franklin, WI
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rested gal
- Posts: 12883
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
I'm not Johnny, but I have no problem with people choosing to post their opinions as a "Guest."
Didn't seem like a flame to me - just a strong response to chrisp's comments - which are his strong opinions about most DMEs. Heck, I'm sure (my opinion - ) that chrisp can take it. Looks like that Guest can, too.
Didn't seem like a flame to me - just a strong response to chrisp's comments - which are his strong opinions about most DMEs. Heck, I'm sure (my opinion - ) that chrisp can take it. Looks like that Guest can, too.
I CAN take it. I did read the post days ago. I don't need defending but thanks for watching my back RG and Judy.
This is MY OPINION. I pay cash. No insurance. I want the best deal for ME. If you have insurance and don't mind wasting the insurance pool $$ then fine. Just remember nothing is free. Your premiums will go up, up, up till you can't afford it. Then you will be looking for guys like Johnny to sell it to you fair and reasonable. But they won't be there because they were put out of business by greedy DMEs who wanted it all for themselves.
A $299 cpap is a $299 cpap no matter where you buy it. Why would you pay $2000 ?
I already know how to plug in electric cords and pour water out of a bottle. I don't need instructions from a DME that probably knows less than me. Oh they watched a video you say.
Oh, don't forget . They won't give you the clinician manual either. They'll sell that on Ebay.
Jimmy Hoffa is alive and well. He's working at a DME near you
I'm Logged in
Cheers to all, I'm going Flying.
GUEST, My aircraft rents for $83 per hour WET ( look that up) and I don't charge them for the filters . My business is competitive. If I charge too much they will go elseware. I charge the same price to all. I don't ask how you are paying . The price is there on the wall for all to see. The instruction is $35 per hour. That price is posted also.. Its called competition . Because in the real world people DO shop price and ask questions. They have a choice. Something you GUEST would not offer. You take people who are sick and vulnerable and take advantage of them and make then think they are getting such a great deal.
When did you enter the witness protection program ?
Chris aka :twis ted:
This is MY OPINION. I pay cash. No insurance. I want the best deal for ME. If you have insurance and don't mind wasting the insurance pool $$ then fine. Just remember nothing is free. Your premiums will go up, up, up till you can't afford it. Then you will be looking for guys like Johnny to sell it to you fair and reasonable. But they won't be there because they were put out of business by greedy DMEs who wanted it all for themselves.
A $299 cpap is a $299 cpap no matter where you buy it. Why would you pay $2000 ?
I already know how to plug in electric cords and pour water out of a bottle. I don't need instructions from a DME that probably knows less than me. Oh they watched a video you say.
Oh, don't forget . They won't give you the clinician manual either. They'll sell that on Ebay.
Jimmy Hoffa is alive and well. He's working at a DME near you
I'm Logged in
Cheers to all, I'm going Flying.
GUEST, My aircraft rents for $83 per hour WET ( look that up) and I don't charge them for the filters . My business is competitive. If I charge too much they will go elseware. I charge the same price to all. I don't ask how you are paying . The price is there on the wall for all to see. The instruction is $35 per hour. That price is posted also.. Its called competition . Because in the real world people DO shop price and ask questions. They have a choice. Something you GUEST would not offer. You take people who are sick and vulnerable and take advantage of them and make then think they are getting such a great deal.
When did you enter the witness protection program ?
Chris aka :twis ted:
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guest
guest
Chrisp,
Your airplane rents for $83 an hour wet. OK so if I rented that airplane for a continuous period of 15 months (like your cpap machine) I would pay $896,400.
$83 per hour x 24 hours a day (full use of) x 30 days a month x 15 months
Now, care to tell us what your aircraft sells for new so we can see how GREEDY you must be to charge $83 an hour?
Your airplane rents for $83 an hour wet. OK so if I rented that airplane for a continuous period of 15 months (like your cpap machine) I would pay $896,400.
$83 per hour x 24 hours a day (full use of) x 30 days a month x 15 months
Now, care to tell us what your aircraft sells for new so we can see how GREEDY you must be to charge $83 an hour?
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guest
guest
Chrsip,
Its 8 :06, Ive been waiting at the office for this PAIN IN THE ASS cpap patient to show up. He was supposed to be here at 5: 30. See, as an evil DME, we try to make our accomidations to our advantage. Sure we close at 5, and I offered to stay until 5 30 so he came come here on his way home from work. And it would be MORE CONVENIENT FOR ME THAN FOR HIM! lol
Huh, Im sure gonna miss seeing my 5 year old today. I saw him yesterday after work, but since he goes to sleep at 8 30 he will be in bed by the time I get home. Dinner? Oh, Im a gonna have to skip that tonight...Im more bothered by not seeing my son in 48 hrs, especially since we live in the same home, just because I tried to be accomidating...and make special arrangements, that were EXPECTED of me.
Pt says, "I WORK", so we say, ok, well will have a manager stay later just for you. Oh and the reason for his visit? He doesnt know why the clips on his mask are so hard that he has to squeeze them to release them...
But thats not your problem, Im bringing up the time since my reply to your last post has gone unanswered. I want to know what your plane costs new...simple question...and compare that to the almost $900k you would earn renting it for 15 months...I want to see how EVIL the DME co really is. Maybe I will get out of the DME business and join you in the aircraft rental business? It seems like a lot less hassle then what I have to deal with...
So how long should I stay?
Im going to lay down about midnight, on the display hosp bed in the showroom, so ill hear him knock on the door.
Oh, and he doesnt answer his cell phone or home phone. Im very afraid to leave, he might join this discussion board and complain about how EVIL DMEs are!
Hope I have a weekend, at least once this month....
Its 8 :06, Ive been waiting at the office for this PAIN IN THE ASS cpap patient to show up. He was supposed to be here at 5: 30. See, as an evil DME, we try to make our accomidations to our advantage. Sure we close at 5, and I offered to stay until 5 30 so he came come here on his way home from work. And it would be MORE CONVENIENT FOR ME THAN FOR HIM! lol
Huh, Im sure gonna miss seeing my 5 year old today. I saw him yesterday after work, but since he goes to sleep at 8 30 he will be in bed by the time I get home. Dinner? Oh, Im a gonna have to skip that tonight...Im more bothered by not seeing my son in 48 hrs, especially since we live in the same home, just because I tried to be accomidating...and make special arrangements, that were EXPECTED of me.
Pt says, "I WORK", so we say, ok, well will have a manager stay later just for you. Oh and the reason for his visit? He doesnt know why the clips on his mask are so hard that he has to squeeze them to release them...
But thats not your problem, Im bringing up the time since my reply to your last post has gone unanswered. I want to know what your plane costs new...simple question...and compare that to the almost $900k you would earn renting it for 15 months...I want to see how EVIL the DME co really is. Maybe I will get out of the DME business and join you in the aircraft rental business? It seems like a lot less hassle then what I have to deal with...
So how long should I stay?
Im going to lay down about midnight, on the display hosp bed in the showroom, so ill hear him knock on the door.
Oh, and he doesnt answer his cell phone or home phone. Im very afraid to leave, he might join this discussion board and complain about how EVIL DMEs are!
Hope I have a weekend, at least once this month....
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guest
guest
Chrisp,
you got me thinking, where the hell is all the money going? ? Im not a therapist, my company would probably go bankrupt to pay a therapist to sit around and wait for someone to come by. Im just a measly little operations manager that tries to keep the doors open by being efficient but at the same time using up our inventory of KY jelly so my hole doesnt go raw everytime a customer, like yourself, bends me over.... that was rude, sorry
But where does it go? Im on a salary, but if I run my salary through the calculator divided by actual hours worked to care for customers, Im making $5.23 an hour...
The owner works his ass off as well. In fact, hes been here in this little town, with this little business for 15 years. Dont see a mercedes, in fact he gave up his paycheck last week just to get one of our delivery trucks fixed to run to a patients house....
So where is it? And why am I only making $5.23 an hour? with no bonus for being a nice guy??
you got me thinking, where the hell is all the money going? ? Im not a therapist, my company would probably go bankrupt to pay a therapist to sit around and wait for someone to come by. Im just a measly little operations manager that tries to keep the doors open by being efficient but at the same time using up our inventory of KY jelly so my hole doesnt go raw everytime a customer, like yourself, bends me over.... that was rude, sorry
But where does it go? Im on a salary, but if I run my salary through the calculator divided by actual hours worked to care for customers, Im making $5.23 an hour...
The owner works his ass off as well. In fact, hes been here in this little town, with this little business for 15 years. Dont see a mercedes, in fact he gave up his paycheck last week just to get one of our delivery trucks fixed to run to a patients house....
So where is it? And why am I only making $5.23 an hour? with no bonus for being a nice guy??
What does that have to do with the cash price of a cpap ? Not rental. No insurance. Just the cash price. NOTHING.
Sorry to hear of your troubles.. You might consider another profession.. ..
Dog walker....No, dogs wouldn't put up with you.
Firefighter....No, takes listening skills and compassion.
Radio Announcer.....No, Folks don't want to hear the same old thing over and over.
I hear Tyco needs a new CEO.....
Sorry to hear of your troubles.. You might consider another profession.. ..
Dog walker....No, dogs wouldn't put up with you.
Firefighter....No, takes listening skills and compassion.
Radio Announcer.....No, Folks don't want to hear the same old thing over and over.
I hear Tyco needs a new CEO.....
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rock and roll
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:30 pm
- Location: Texas
While I agree there might be some good DME's, there are however IMHO and judging by this and two other forums many more terrible ones. The prices are outrageous, I would have been happier if my insurance would have sent me to the internet or some kind medical supply house, and given me the best system for my needs, not the cheapest. I was never offered an APAP nor a choice in masks, I had to wait two weeks for the DME to get my cpap in stock and then another until he could find time to get it to me. When he came, he just set it up on my nightstand, not brain surgery and gave me the mask and said to call him when I needed filters. Period. No advise, no fitting, no options, could not answer any questions at all. Then when I had problems, he would take days to return the calls and did nothing to satisfy my needs. Then after my insurance paid, he had the audacity to send me a copay bill of $450.00 after he was paid $2400 by my insurance for a Resmed S-7 and a crappy Respironics mask. My hose had a hole in it and he accused me of being to rough on it and tried to charge me $35.00 for another. I told him to take the equipment and put it where the sun does not shine, refused to pay my copay, told him to come get it and got my own system, of which I am very happy with.
Until your industry starts policing it's own, then you will have to live with those of us that can think for ourselves thinking your profession stinks!
I think IMHO that anyone posting as a guest other than to just make a polite comment is a complete chicken@#$%. IMHO
Until your industry starts policing it's own, then you will have to live with those of us that can think for ourselves thinking your profession stinks!
I think IMHO that anyone posting as a guest other than to just make a polite comment is a complete chicken@#$%. IMHO
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rock and roll
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:30 pm
- Location: Texas