Newbie - how to get DME to call?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
UMTerp
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:27 am

Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by UMTerp » Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:31 am

Hello everyone,

I am a newbie. Have been diagnosed with severe OSA since the middle of July based on an at home sleep study.
Had a titration scheduled for two weeks ago that was cancelled by my insurance company in favor of obtaining an APAP machine.
I have had my sleep study results and doctor order into the DME (Lincare in Chantilly, VA) for two weeks.
When I call they tell me that it is in processing and will take a few days.

Suggestions for how I can get my appointment and get my machine?

TIA!

UMTerp

User avatar
grayghost4
Posts: 1554
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:52 pm
Location: Norther Illinois
Contact:

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by grayghost4 » Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:43 am

Get a copy of the sleep study and prescription and dr.s notes. Then check with insurance company as to other DME that they work with and call several .
If you're not part of the solution you're just scumming up the bottom of the beaker!

Get the Clinicians manual here : http://apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-press ... tup-manual

User avatar
chunkyfrog
Posts: 34377
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by chunkyfrog » Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:46 am

Call your insurance company, tell them how long it is taking,
and that you are concerned about harm to your health as a result.
Demand to speak to supervisors, and tell them you are not feeling well.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

UMTerp
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:27 am

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by UMTerp » Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:55 am

Thank you both. I will try both options to see if I can get the ball rolling!

Cardsfan
Posts: 1509
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:02 pm
Location: Close to St. Louis, MO

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by Cardsfan » Tue Oct 06, 2015 12:01 pm

I have Lincare, and here's what I did. If you go to http://www.lincare.com , at the bottom of the page on the right, click on "contact us". That takes you to all the info. on how to contact the corporate office in Florida. The CEO name is Kristen Hoefer, phone #727-530-7700. It has a link to email the corporate office.
I'd send them an email with your info. and ask them to intervene with your local office to get your supplies. I would also call the corporate office.
I would then call your local Lincare and inform them you have contacted the corporate office to expedite your order.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  CPAP 10 cmH20., User since 1/1/15.

Janknitz
Posts: 8410
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by Janknitz » Tue Oct 06, 2015 12:08 pm

The first thing you need to know is whether you are stuck with that DME or there are others that are "in network" for your insurance. Call your insurance company and find out. If you have other choices, get a copy of your sleep study and your prescription and start calling around to find a DME who cares about your business and is ready to work with you today.

Be sure to read "What you need to know BEFORE you meet your DME" in my blog below BEFORE you talk to any DME. The machines listed on my blog are out of date, and it doesn't address Medicare competitive bidding if you are Medicare, but otherwise the info is useful.

If worse comes to worse and you are stuck with that DME, get a copy of your sleep study and prescription and show up at their store. Come armed with the prior authorization telephone number for your DME. Tell them you are not leaving without the machine you want. Prepare to be brushed off, but stand firm. You have the documentation you need, you know how to contact the insurance company. No excuses from the DME.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

UMTerp
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:27 am

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by UMTerp » Wed Oct 07, 2015 8:50 am

Thank you so much everyone! I talked to my insurance and got the contact info for another local DME.
I have an appointment this afternoon!

I also read the article about what to know before going to the DME - great info!

Thank you again!

UMTerp

UMTerp
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:27 am

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by UMTerp » Thu Oct 08, 2015 1:46 pm

Thanks to everyone here I got my new machine and used it all night last night!

It's funny that Lincare called me on my cell phone while I was in the office of the new DME - too late!

You folks are the best!

UMTerp

User avatar
poppi2
Posts: 590
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 2:54 pm
Location: Houston, near JSC

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by poppi2 » Thu Oct 08, 2015 8:12 pm

UMTerp wrote:...It's funny that Lincare called me on my cell phone while I was in the office of the new DME
Did you tell Lincare where you were? That would have been satisfying.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: PAPCap, 3M Microfoam Surgical Tape, PoliGrip Strip, APAP 12.0 - 14.0 cm

UMTerp
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:27 am

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by UMTerp » Fri Oct 09, 2015 7:34 am

No, I didn't answer my cell when Lincare called. They did leave a message on my home phone but I have not called them back and don't plan to.

SewTired
Posts: 1737
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2015 8:33 am
Location: Minneapolis area

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by SewTired » Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:35 am

There are other patients. Call them back and tell them that you went with another supplier. That way they stop wasting time on your stuff and move on to another patient who doesn't have the luxury of going to another DME supplier.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead
Diabetes 2, RLS & bradycardia
Airsense For Her; Settings: range 8-12, Airfit P10 (M)

Janknitz
Posts: 8410
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by Janknitz » Fri Oct 09, 2015 1:48 pm

They made you wait for their call, now THEY can wait for you to call back.

Not knowing anything about your new DME, there are tons of complaints of Lincare on this board. So they probably did you a favor.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

Hereswaldo

Re: Newbie - how to get DME to call?

Post by Hereswaldo » Sat Oct 10, 2015 5:18 pm

Glad you were able to find someone else. As an aside, I got screwed by doing the exact same thing! Dme 1 obtained authorization from my insurance. I went to dme 2 because they could get me in the same day, however dme 2 was unable to obtain authorization because the authorization was held by dme 1. I got stuck with the bill! If only I would have informed DME 1 that I went somewhere else, I wouldn't be out the complete cost of the cpap because DME 1 could have released the authorization. Give them a call and let them know, even leave a message after hours. Happy Sleeping!