The look on the face of the DME provider

idahogal · Post by **idahogal** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:21 pm

I have been waiting for my DME to order an Aura mask for me for almost 2 weeks now. Well, since they had no idea what they were doing I ordered from cpap.com yesterday. I got the mask today and took it over there to show them what they were missing out on. The lady who is the manager there asked me where I got the mask and I told her I ordered it online. She just glared at me and said " I thought it was illegal to sell a cpap mask without a prescription!". I just grinned and said I did not know the legalities of the matter but that I ordered it yesterday and got it today instead of having to wait who knows how long for them to even figure out what it was. Maybe now they will get on the ball and update their stock of masks.

jimh1 · Post by **jimh1** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:48 pm

I don't think I would be using a DME who "thought it was illegal to purchase CPAP equipment without a presciption". OMG, the DME is STUPID. OK..

Good for your for taking it over to them to show them, though very sad that you had to. I hope they drew a diagram of it

Jim

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:18 pm

idahogal wrote:She just glared at me and said " I thought it was illegal to sell a cpap mask without a prescription!"

Another splendid example of the, "I'm OK, you're not OK" mindset.

idahogal wrote:Maybe now they will get on the ball and update their stock of masks.

LOL! Funny story, Idahogal. Don't get your hopes up about them having a change of heart though. She still thinks you were wrong.

Regards,
Bill

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:57 pm

This one is a Classic!

The question is "Is the DME lady lying or is she just stupid" ...either way I would be looking elsewhere.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:16 pm

wading thru the muck! wrote:The question is "Is the DME lady lying or is she just stupid"

Awww . . ., the sad truth is neither one. She's been assimilated . . .

wading thru the muck! wrote:...either way I would be looking elsewhere.

The sane response, but idahogal may not have many options.

Regards,
Bill

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:39 pm

Congratulations, Susan.

As Wader said, this is a "CLASSIC"!

Sleep well and best wishes.

Den

idahogal · Post by **idahogal** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:54 am

Yes, I don't have a whole lot of choice as far as my cpap goes but I will purchase all of my masks from cpap.com from here on out. I was just amazed at how "out of the loop" this place really is. It is not like I am in some rural town. I am in Boise for cryin out loud. I have looked at the other provider here and there really is no difference between the two. I will just allow my current provider to fill my filter needs through my insurance and let them give me a basic mask when I am due again but the rest will come from cpap.com that is for sure.

sleepylady · Post by **sleepylady** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:14 am

Susan that's just too funny. I had a similar experience. I had asked my DME about the Aura and she had no clue so I ordered one from cpap.com. When i talked to her a month later she said I've got that mask in and I said thanks but since you didn't know what I was talking about I just ordered it online. Plus, I would have had to pay all of it out of pocket since my insurance only allows a new mask every six months.

Well just yesterday I called and asked if she still had the mask as I get a new one at the end of the month. She said no and the funny thing is she had been trying to fit this guy with a mask for a year and wasn't having much luck...A YEAR FOLKS. Anyway, the guy took it and came back a couple weeks later and told her it's the best mask he's ever had and works for him. Hmmm...anyway she thanked me for telling her about the mask and is ordering one for me. Of course she forgot what it was called but hey if she's willing to get it in for me I'd say I'll keep my DME for now.

Melinda

idahogal · Post by **idahogal** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:46 am

Oh good, so I am not the only one out there with the DME still in the dark. I guess I should not see this as a good thing but at least now I know it is not only my provider. A YEAR!!! I cant imagine waiting a year to get a mask that fits! Maybe some day (yeah right) the dme will get a clue. I do have to say that I LOVE my Aura. Last night was the first night with it and I love it.

cmsmws · Post by **cmsmws** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 2:55 pm

This is a simple case of profit margin. Never forget that your health care is still a for profit endeavor and to counter this you must be the driver not the insurance company.

#1. If I am the only provider of your equipment then I am the only receiver of your cash...

#2. Sorry it took a year but your insurance company will only cover mask replacements(to read "send me cash") every 6 months and since I have so many people to take care of (to read "fleece") I forgot when your six months was up and I could request a new mask("get more cash").

My DME gave me 3 masks while only charging my insurance for one to ensure that I had the right mask to help me in my treatment.

dvejr · Post by **dvejr** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:36 pm

You can't generalize too much. My DME is fine. When I phoned them 2 weeks in and reported the nasal mask was hurting my face unless I left it too lose to doa good job they offered me a Swyfte right away. Said they'd see if Blue Cross would pay for it, but if not - it was a gift.

Doug

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:13 am

Funny my DME didn't know what the Aussie heated hose was or where it was from. She told me that the Fisher & Paykel CPAP's with heated humidifiers have circuitry to measure room temperature and regulate the humidifier heater better so that you won't get rain out. Still laughing .

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:36 am

i think some DMEs play dumb. my first HC 150 stopped heating, and they said i must have poured water all over it while it was on. but they gave me a new one.

guest from Thailand · Post by **guest from Thailand** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:11 am

Uhh. guys.. anyone can tell me what DME is??

Well, let's me share my experience in Thailand, I went to see doctors as I felt I have OSA ( your forum is one of good sources of information, so i curious that I have OSA). Do you believed that 4 of 5 doctors recommended me to have surgery right away without doing such sleep test or x-ray. It took me about a month to get the one that I using now. He advice me good reasons & explanation. CPAP is one of his recommended.

So 2 weeks waiting seem to better compare with my experience.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:08 am

guest from Thailand wrote:Uhh. guys.. anyone can tell me what DME is??

Durable Medical Equipment supplier... the place the sells the cpaps.

For more info >>>Click on the blue DME just below.

Machine

Additional Comments: AeioMed "Headrest" nasal pillow mask. Everest 2 Travel CPAP

The look on the face of the DME provider

The look on the face of the DME provider

Re: The look on the face of the DME provider