I Just dont get it...

SnoreNoMore2005 · Post by **SnoreNoMore2005** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:42 am

Why are so many people simply complaining about their DME and doing nothing else about it? It's like complaining about not liking your corner grocery store or cleaners but continuing to do business with them. Unless you live in Podunk, IA, and don't have an Internet connection, you have a choice of many DMEs to select from.

My doc gave me an Rx for an autopap. He also recommended a DME since I had no idea what a DME even was, much less who would be a good one to use. The "recommended" DME told me they couldn't get me an autopap, but would give me a cpap with CFLEX "which was basically the same thing".

I knew that was bullshit so I fired that DME and got a new DME who would fill the prescription for autopap my doc gave me. I also gave my doc an earful about the DME he recommend. He was glad to hear about it since he had no idea what they were pulling.

Use your God-given power people. Don't just complain about your DME... do something about it!

The choice is yours: Are you only going to complain to each other or are you going to take positive action to improve your health?

SnoreNoMore2005

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cflex, CPAP, DME, Power, Prescription

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:39 am

Or just don't do business with DME's at all!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 12:23 pm

RAMBLINMAN wrote:

Now I had mentioned to him that I would have liked to get A Remstar Auto w/ CFlex so I can be able to download my information etc etc.

He started to tell me that it would be very expensive to buy software , card reader and that it would cost me like $1200 for this software etc. Now I've seen on this site sotware / card reader for $99 / $199.

Am I experiencing the BS from this guy in trying to discourage me in getting this equipment or is he right about this $1200 crap.

Ramblinman,

Ol' buddy,

Yes and No.

What I am about to say is based solely on my personal experience when I talked about buying software with my DME. She also said what your DME said: The software costs $1200. when purchased from Respironics, and that is HER cost, without DME markup.

I asked her to check again. I sat with her as she called and got the $1200 cost figure again from Respironics - with me listening to the phone conversation. If she, the DME bought the software from Respironics it *really would* cost her $1200.

Then, while she sat next to me I ordered, using her telephone with her listening, the Encore software from cpap.com for $199. She was amazed.

No, she was truly very, very angry. She called Respironics again and told them off. She was told that her volume of purchases with Respironics was not high enough to give her the low price that cpap.com gets - whose volume is obviously very high. My DME told Respironics that she is considering buying thru cpap.com and no longer from Respironics.

***The next day a Respironics sales rep visited her and GAVE her the software (for her use) as a gift, no cost.***

The truth, honest injun
Andy

FL andy · Post by **FL andy** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 12:25 pm

that was me logged in as guest above

FL andy

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 12:47 pm

I called my DME and got a break-down on the costs of my machine and mask. They are charging my insurance $2,232.65. The exact same items would cost $718.75 if purchased through cpap.com. I'll be calling my insurance company on Tuesday morning.

sanctacaris · Post by **sanctacaris** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 1:28 pm

Snork,
Is that NW Medical you're talking about? I'll be bummed if it is, because they've been good to me so far.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:16 pm

I have tried complaining to my insurance company about DME pricing and I have heard MANY people trying to complain to their insurance companies too.
The insurance companies DON"T CARE. which is pretty amazing. But makes sense in light of the fact you are only contacting clerks that don't care, albeit clerks that seem to be able to decide on presciption course of treatments and drugs. Also, all the insurance companies have to do is pass the costs onto us, so why should they care what the DME's charge?

Fatigue Fighter · Post by **Fatigue Fighter** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:32 pm

You certainly have a choice in who your DME is (or not to use one for that matter). I made sure the DME I was "interviewing" for the job knew I was interviewing them. They didn't have what I wanted in stock so they ordered it and it was here within the week. Still, I really have no further use for them so just as soon as I am "settled" with the right machine (a six month or less trial period), I am saying "austa la vista baby!" I am reminded how much they charge every month I receive their bill of the portion my insurance won't pay.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:50 pm

Yes you can choose which one but it makes no difference, they are all theives. I bet if you add up all your monthly charges that insurance does not cover, you would come close to buying itn on cpap.com and get what you want, when you want and would not be contributing to the damn pirates!

Funny, my insurance called Friday, I was out, and left a message asking why I had not reordered supplies and do I want any. Rest assured they will hear from me...again, that I can buy cheaper on my own than what my deductable is with them paying.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 6:40 pm

wading thru the muck! wrote:
rock and roll wrote:Because our wonderful insurance companies put up with it. It is up to all of us to complain to them and to educate as many as we can via the internet not to do business with them.

R&R,

Thanks for your comments!

I've been chastised numerous times so far on the ASAA forum for doing just this kind of "complaining"

This just confirms my suspicions that the ASAA is in bed with the DME/Sleep lab industry.

Lets be accurate and factual. You have been told not to link directly to for profit websites. You have been told this numerous times but you insist on advertising for cpap.com Additionally, you have decided to post off topic posts in the help forum, making it more difficult for people to get help. All this for your fellow cpap'ers.

What a guy...

You continually slander the ASAA but have yet to EVER offer any help other than promoting cpap.com

So who exactly is in bed with whom?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:10 am

I sat with her as she called and got the $1200 cost figure again from Respironics - with me listening to the phone conversation. If she, the DME bought the software from Respironics it *really would* cost her $1200.

Then, while she sat next to me I ordered, using her telephone with her listening, the Encore software from cpap.com for $199. She was amazed.

Wow, Andy! What an interesting story.

Let's see....

Lay people are often the ones who bring up the subject of sleep apnea with their doctors -- rather than the other way around.

People have to find their way to a message board like this in order to discover basic comfort tips their DMEs are clueless about - the very DMEs who scoff when they hear, "I read it on the internet."
(Not you, Christine RRT! )

Andy's DME had to learn from her cpap-using client where she could buy software designed FOR THE DME at a reasonable price.

Looks like message board/internet informed cpap users are the ones educating the "professionals" in many instances.

Interesting.

BP · Post by BP » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:32 pm

Unfortunately, many of us do not have the option of changing DME's whenever we want. In my case, my insurance company CIGNA, only works with one DME, or rather one clearinghouse. It really doesn't matter much to them what the doctor prescribes, only the pressure matters. Initially they will give you a Remstar plus, end of discussion. Trust me, I tried talking with everyone to get what I wanted, but to no avail. On the upside, I have no deductible so it didn't cost me anything.

Since I couldn't stand not knowing how my therapy was progressing, I went ahead and just purchased a 420e out of my own pocket. I'll just use the Remstar for a backup. In fact, my 420e is due to be here this afternoon!

-BP

SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM · Post by **SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:43 am

SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM

And, another interesting old thread gets resurected......

Barb (Seattle) · Post by **Barb (Seattle)** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:53 am

SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM wrote:SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM

And, another interesting old thread gets resurected......

LOL and another thread gets bumped that is really interesting! Ok, spammer, you're doing us a favor.

(pssttt...if you're a real person and not a "bot" whatever that is...)

reval · Post by **reval** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:08 pm

I live in the Netherlands and it is almost scary to see that, although the health-care systems in the US and in my country are very different, the complaints about "your" DME's and "our" so-called 'leveranciers' are remarkably similar.

(And yes, even with considerable shipping costs and extra taxes, it is cheaper for me to order from CPAP.COM when I want something my insurance does not pay for.)

I Just dont get it...

Why complain about your DME?

Re: I Just dont get it...