DME Recommendations

I'm new to CPAP, just under two months in.

I've learned a lot reading through some of the threads here and really appreciate all the experience and advice.

Does anyone have recommendations for national DME suppliers to use, especially ones that contract with major medical insurance companies? I've gotten started with SleepMed, and haven't been too thrilled, but I don't want to go trying other providers if they're generally the same.

I'm aware of places like CPAP.com, but from what I see they'll cost me more than the prices I can get with a supplier that has contracted prices with my insurance company.

You need to check with your insurance company first and get a list of who they will work with.
See which ones that your insurance company has a contract with and then see which ones someone here might have experience here to offer any recommendations.

Pugsy wrote:You need to check with your insurance company first and get a list of who they will work with.
See which ones that your insurance company has a contract with and then see which ones someone here might have experience here to offer any recommendations.

OK, good suggestion. I checked my insurance website, and there were 350+ listings within 50 miles, but most are duplicates and look like national chains. Here are the most common ones:
Americare Respiratory Services
Apria Healthcare
Lincare
Pacific Pulmonary Services
SleepMed

If anyone has experience with some of these, I'd appreciate hearing your comments.

The second and third names on your list are not considered to be good ones - I'm understating that a lot!

I use Lincare. Pretty. Satisfied with them.

My wife and I used Lincare for years but could not get their central supply office to honor our frequent changes of address (we lived full time in our motor home for 12 years and followed the sun). I had the local office in a town we spent some time in the spring and fall mail me supplies and that worked okay for a while until they insisted that I had to use their central supply. The local office management also changed and service went straight downhill.
My wife was told she had to contact central supply to get a new cushion for her mask and when they told her they had no record of her as a patient, she had all she could stand so we attempted to switch to another DME. When the new DME asked Lincare to send them our records they stalled for a couple of months and then lied and told the new DME that we had changed our minds and did not want to switch.
I was able to get my records from my sleep center but my wife's records were lost in a change of ownership and sleep doc retirement transition. We have had to call Lincare and request her records - by Federal law they have to comply. Hopefully they will be sent quickly.
Also hopefully the new DME will be an improvement. They at least have a selection different brands/sizes of masks and stock some supplies locally. They are a local company but have a connection with Rotech so don't know how this will work out.

Apria Sucks

jarrasmi wrote:I'm new to CPAP, just under two months in. I've gotten started with SleepMed, and haven't been too thrilled, but I don't want to go trying other providers if they're generally the same.

jarrasmi,

I'm curious as to what you don't like about SleepMed? They've been my DME since my beginning CPAP in 2011. I've never had a problem with them.

Thanks,
Chris

Even if you are not on Medicare, check my link (below).
The one Medicare contracted supplier (green "M") in my city is awesome!
Of course there are some turds there too.
(Caveat emptor--and how!)

I recently fired SleepMed due to general incompetence and specific obnoxiousness (the RT assigned to me was condescending and would NOT answer my questions).

That may have been a problem specific to my local office but I'm much happier with my little independent DME.

Your specific location is very relevant.
I have been dealing with Crapria for several years. Their central location sucks. They can't complete an order with five items in less than 4 shipments and often send the wrong stuff, like a Resmed heated hose for a Resperonics humidifier.

However, I have found one RT who has also been a hose head for 18 years, who is very knowledgeable and helpful and will get you what you ordered.

So I repeat the person you deal with is critical to get good service.