advice for picking a DME

xxyzx wrote:saw the sleep doctor today and got a new Rx
now i have that new Rx in my hot little hand that I can take anywhere to get filled

so how to pick a DME ?
are there any review sites or other info on them ?

are they are terrible bad and crooks or am i misreading comments i see about them

basically the last one i had was possibly okay except for two very bad employees i ran into
but cant be sure any others would be any better to deal with

all advice on choosing a DME is appreciated !

Start with this link from one of our forum members.

https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what- ... me-part-i/

And......

https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/dont- ... -upcharge/

Also, become very familiar with all the machines (brand, model numbers, capabilities, etc.)

https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd

Don't make any instantaneous decisions without giving them some thought.
Be familiar with what your insurance provider covers and pays for.
Don't believe everything your DME (employee) says without double-checking with your insurance provider.
(if their lips are moving..........)

Edit to add: I didn't use a brick and mortar (local) DME. I purchased all of my initial equipment from http://www.cpap.com and my insurance provider reimbursed me for 80% of my costs. We both saved money. They agreed to the arrangement because they considered ME to be "in-network" (like a DME) so it worked out great. After I received the shipment, I used the invoice from CPAP.COM to generate a similar invoice but using myself as the billing party and my insurance provider as the party being billed.


Den

.

First things first. Check with your insurance company to find out who is in network and what the payment schedule is. Knowing what I know now, if there were a way to simply get reimbursed, I would go that route. BUT, you have to call your insurance company first.

xxyzx wrote:

SewTired wrote:First things first. Check with your insurance company to find out who is in network and what the payment schedule is. Knowing what I know now, if there were a way to simply get reimbursed, I would go that route. BUT, you have to call your insurance company first.

thanks for the reminder

i had planned to contact them first to make sure they approve my doctors rx

I guess you need one that services maserati.

1) Start with your insurer. You need to know which DME's they will cover and what your out of pocket expenses should be. Confirm that they pay by HCPCs codes so it doesn't matter WHICH machine and mask you choose--that way the DME can't pretend that it's your insurer limiting your options.

2) Choose your equipment: Machine, hose, mask. Exactly what YOU want to sleep with for the next 5 or so years. If you can, ask your doctor to specify the machine you want in detail, e.g. "ResMed Airsense Auto with Heated Humidifier (yes, it's integral to the machine, but still needs to be on the RX) and heated Climateline hose. Mask of patient's choice (so you can change masks when you want)."

3) Call around to DME's you can use under your insurance and ask them specifically if they will fill your RX as written. Don't trust them to tell you the truth, though. Be sure to compare your out of pocket costs to buying online from our hosts or Secondwind.com.

4) If a DME gives you BS when you have options, either call them on it or walk out. Yes, they are WORSE than used car salesmen. Remember they are not your friend or your advocate. If you have options you don't have to put up with BS.