Is DME necessary?

mlim650 · Post by **mlim650** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 2:28 pm

Hello,

I'm going for my titration study next week and I will get my prescription after that. After reading about DME charging much more than one can purchase online I'm wondering what is the advantage of buying through DME besides the insurance billing.

With the prescription, will I be able to "program" the CPAP machine?

Thanks.

Melvin

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:04 pm

The only advantages I can see to using a local DME are these

1) If they allow you to swap out masks at no charge to try a number of them

2) Same as number 1 for machines

3) If the RT is actually knowledgable and you have issues using the machine

4) If you want your card read and don't want to buy the software

5) If you are a total techno dummy and can't set up a vcr to program you favorite show.

Disadvantages are

1) Fighting to get the machine of your choice

2) Price - especially if you are paying out of pocket (then you may as well buy online and buy a bunch of masks to try for the same price or less

3) Locals will fight to not give you the manual to set it up.

4) Locals willl sometimes not give you all the stuff that should come in the box.

I am sure others can add to this list

mlim650 · Post by **mlim650** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:37 pm

I see. I guess I will get the prescription and see what my local DME is charging me and if my insurance allows online purchase.

If setting up the CPAP machine is via user interface (like buttons) then I should be able to handle that.

Thanks for your input.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:47 pm

Here is a recent similar thread -- has lots of comments of interest.

viewtopic.php?t=17632&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:58 pm

It's no harder than programming a clock radio. Obviously you can read......so you're quite capable of programming your PAP machine.

I didn't use a local DME (other than to check their prices) when I purchased my equipment......and I wouldn't have done anything differently.
Part of the "trick" with your insurance provider is to communicate with them. Ask them if they want to save money (yours and theirs). Ask them if you are considered "in-network" if you purchase out-of-pocket AND if they will reimburse you for out-of-pocket purchases of medical and DME items. If they confirm that you are and can, then if you purchase from someone like CPAP.COM, what you would need to do is to make out an invoice to your insurance provider (as the party being billed) and with you as the billing party. You could make up an invoice almost identical to the one you receive from the place you buy from because it will have all of the equipment "codes" on it .

Best wishes,

Den

jackr · Post by **jackr** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:11 pm

my deductable was so high that it was better for me to buy online. With the good folks here I was able to get all the help I needed.

I read through tons of posts and asked lots of questions.