Bought New Machine

I took the advice of a forum member and bought a CPAP machine from Clinical Sleep Solutions in British Columbia. They were $1400.00 cheaper for the exact same machine I was on a trial with. I took the DME's machine back and they tryed the oh we have a payment plan, well we'll have to contact the doctor etc.One thing old age is good for is don't get hornswaggled as much-usually. So my wife is happier(I used to snore loud enough she would think a 747 was on takeoff) No issues so far -Only 3 weeks- but we will keep on keepin on.
Have a good one and thx for the advice-it saved me a bunch of cash.

When you get your machine from a DME provider, there are other things that factor into the cost of the machine. First of all, a DME provider must have a Respiratory Therapist deliver and set-up your machine. After that, any problems you have with the machine are handled by the DME provider, which saves you the hassle of contacting the manufacturer yourself. So basically, a service is included with the price. Essentially, you have a Licensed Respiratory Therapist on call, helping you with any problems you have with the machine. Doctors would prefer you do it this way so that you get the proper patient care along with your machine. In addition, the DME provider must prepare documents and claims in order to bill insurance if necessary.

My advice is that if you have already had a machine for quite some time now, already understand how it works, and found a mask that works perfectly for you, buying a machine and its supplies from an online company like sleeponcall.com would be the most cost effective way to go. No DME provider will be able to compete with the prices. But for first time users with insurance, the best option is to go with a DME provider who will help you every step of the way.

Arjis02 wrote:When you get your machine from a DME provider, there are other things that factor into the cost of the machine. First of all, a DME provider must have a Respiratory Therapist deliver and set-up your machine. After that, any problems you have with the machine are handled by the DME provider, which saves you the hassle of contacting the manufacturer yourself. So basically, a service is included with the price. Essentially, you have a Licensed Respiratory Therapist on call, helping you with any problems you have with the machine. Doctors would prefer you do it this way so that you get the proper patient care along with your machine. In addition, the DME provider must prepare documents and claims in order to bill insurance if necessary.

My advice is that if you have already had a machine for quite some time now, already understand how it works, and found a mask that works perfectly for you, buying a machine and its supplies from an online company like sleeponcall.com would be the most cost effective way to go. No DME provider will be able to compete with the prices. But for first time users with insurance, the best option is to go with a DME provider who will help you every step of the way.

For me it was pay $2400.00 and MAYBE get 8-9 hundred back from insurance. Being as I am not rich and would not likely buy from the DME at that price-I went with the online purchase. I have enough life expieriance(In my humble opinion) to help me through the trials so it was just a question of which to buy from. I have learned many new procedures or how to do something by studying it and then jumping in so......... I really did not like the pressure tactics used to try and get me to buy from the DME. I may have some challenges, but hey that's what life is about, figuring out one challenge and move on to the next-that's what I do anyway.
Happy weekend.

You did the right thing Largra. This disease is not rocket science, and when you have a data capable machine YOU are your best therapist. I'm sure you have read all of the info on this forum, if not, educate yourself, and if you have questions.......just ask.
Cheers
Nan

I have bought all my machines privately. Out of pocket costs maybe a wash on the first one but hugely less on the last 2.
Plus I got exactly what I wanted, when I wanted it and without any hassle.
While in a perfect world it would be nice if the DMEs were so very helpful it would be worth the fees that they charge, we often find them lacking.
I agree with Nan. This isn't rocket science and with just a little bit of work it is easily understood.

For those people who really don't care about managing things themselves, the by all means use a DME. Let the DME earn those fees if they can. The use of a DME certainly does not guarantee success though. It all depends on the DME.

I tend to concur w/Arjis02 - IF you have insurance and IF you find a reasonably good local DME provider. Most of us in these forums ended up here BECAUSE we encountered less than good local DME providers.

My first one was a sheister. My second and current one is pretty good. They treat me well. BUT - my PAP was NOT delivered by and set up by an RRT. It was set up by other staff under supervision (meaning there was an RRT in the office or at least available) and via the manufacturer's Quick SetUp Guide. It was delivered by truck by one of their staff route delivery drivers who was also delivering and picking up 02 tanks, etc. who gave very perfunctory instructions and was out the door. Of course, they were aware that I had started w/another provider and switched to them so maybe they gave me credit for knowing more than I did. Other than that I've had no "complaints".

Pugsy wrote:I have bought all my machines privately. Out of pocket costs maybe a wash on the first one but hugely less on the last 2.
Plus I got exactly what I wanted, when I wanted it and without any hassle.
While in a perfect world it would be nice if the DMEs were so very helpful it would be worth the fees that they charge, we often find them lacking.
I agree with Nan. This isn't rocket science and with just a little bit of work it is easily understood.

For those people who really don't care about managing things themselves, the by all means use a DME. Let the DME earn those fees if they can. The use of a DME certainly does not guarantee success though. It all depends on the DME.

Wholeheartedly agree!!

nanwilson wrote:You did the right thing Largra. This disease is not rocket science, and when you have a data capable machine YOU are your best therapist. I'm sure you have read all of the info on this forum, if not, educate yourself, and if you have questions.......just ask.
Cheers
Nan

Thank You-I'm sure I will have questions! Have a good weekend. An amusing sidebar-I woke up last night and had to adjust the nosepads but wasn't getting too far-then I really woke up to find I was trying to insert part of the mask into a nostril-LOL We may be sleep deprived but if we can't laugh at our goof ups, maybe you are eating your rice from the roots up.

Thank You-I'm sure I will have questions! Have a good weekend. An amusing sidebar-I woke up last night and had to adjust the nosepads but wasn't getting too far-then I really woke up to find I was trying to insert part of the mask into a nostril-LOL We may be sleep deprived but if we can't laugh at our goof ups, maybe you are eating your rice from the roots up.[/quote]

My giggle was ...I was dreaming that someone was repeadly slapping me in the face, I woke up and found it was me trying to snap my mask strap against my face

Good sleeps

LARGRA,

I hope that the machine shown in your profile is the old machine and not your new machine. The PLUS model shown only records compliance data.

OutaSync wrote:LARGRA,

I hope that the machine shown in your profile is the old machine and not your new machine. The PLUS model shown only records compliance data.

I have the System One Remstar Pro with heated humidifier-It is the same as I had on trial so I just have to get the card reader(when my software arrives) I am curious to see what changed.
Have a good weekend.

LARGRA wrote:

Arjis02 wrote:When you get your machine from a DME provider, there are other things that factor into the cost of the machine. First of all, a DME provider must have a Respiratory Therapist deliver and set-up your machine. After that, any problems you have with the machine are handled by the DME provider, which saves you the hassle of contacting the manufacturer yourself. So basically, a service is included with the price. Essentially, you have a Licensed Respiratory Therapist on call, helping you with any problems you have with the machine. Doctors would prefer you do it this way so that you get the proper patient care along with your machine. In addition, the DME provider must prepare documents and claims in order to bill insurance if necessary.

My advice is that if you have already had a machine for quite some time now, already understand how it works, and found a mask that works perfectly for you, buying a machine and its supplies from an online company like sleeponcall.com would be the most cost effective way to go. No DME provider will be able to compete with the prices. But for first time users with insurance, the best option is to go with a DME provider who will help you every step of the way.

For me it was pay $2400.00 and MAYBE get 8-9 hundred back from insurance. Being as I am not rich and would not likely buy from the DME at that price-I went with the online purchase. I have enough life expieriance(In my humble opinion) to help me through the trials so it was just a question of which to buy from. I have learned many new procedures or how to do something by studying it and then jumping in so......... I really did not like the pressure tactics used to try and get me to buy from the DME. I may have some challenges, but hey that's what life is about, figuring out one challenge and move on to the next-that's what I do anyway.
Happy weekend.

When I had this DME's machine on trial, I went back and told them I had some problems but the tech. brushed them aside until I said "I am not happy with this setup" even then it was well you can come in anytime and try a mask on-duh I'm here now, why should I have to come back again(it was a scheduled appt.) I felt if that's the lousy service I get BEFORE I buy what is it going to be like after? I know I will have some struggles but I don't think it would be much different if I bought a machine from this DME-they wanted a sale but then........................