Hi, in an effort not to add to an already long discussion I just wanted to point out that competitive bidding was begun before Obama was in office. It is just now going to be implemented in the 1st round in 43 days. In the market I'm in (Cleveland) it has eliminated about 80-90% of the competition, ...

Just throwing in my 2 cents from the DME perspective. Medicare is not charged the MSRP. In fact they allow much less than anything close to MSRP. With their new rules and 90 day trial period very few of the patients we've setup since the changes have billed enough to even cover the cost of the equip...

Yep, Respironics now has the option w/ a sensor, model # 1020014.

FYI please don't use the HomeFill bottles while sleeping. The regulators are conserving devices and are not made for sleeping, but are for daytime awake breathing. Be sure to use a concentrator while sleeping. Size and sound-wise the EverFlo Q by Respironics or the Invacare PerfectO2 are the best. T...

As a provider I have seen pressures that high, particularly on patients with centrals. I've seen higher pressures as well. Usually the higher pressure is first, however, I bet you have your numbers flipped. Unless you are using an auto bilevel pressure then the Rx would read low pressure-high pressu...

Here is the LCD update released in April by Medicare: http://www.ngsmedicare.com/PRINT.aspx?DOCID=21846

I hope that helps.

Our more experienced clinicians are able to look at a person's facial structure, pressures, etc and immediately know which masks will most likely work and which ones won't. It actually becomes instinctual for them.

Huh? That's a new one on me and I'm in the DME business. Granted a hybrid doesn't work for everyone, but there's no reason to put off a patient with some ridiculous excuse. Go around her and get an Rx from your doc with the pressure and hybrid on it.

Hi, I'm actually one of those dreaded DME providers. Medicare unfortunately views a CPAP and Auto CPAP as the same billing code. If your equipment is not yet purchased and you've met the 90 day compliance guidelines then you can exchange to an Auto without issue. If your equipment is purchased an Au...

LOL, the first few weeks I worked for the DME company I am with now I couldn't get over that abbreviation. Ironic they use FU and F/U to mean follow-up also. Turns out it is a relatively common medical abbreviation. I thought everyone was just crass, but now I'm used to it.

Resmed just increased prices for us as providers, too.

Anecdotal provider findings...

We have fewer newbie complaints and issues with the System One. I can't tell you how amazing it is not to deal with rainout! Patient's who have switched from the M Series to the System One seem very happy and always say they like the new machine better.

I have first hand knowledge! Nope, I've not been an inmate, however I've serviced an inmate in an Ohio state prison. He had his machine that we had provided before incarcerated. He did say he had to have it inspected, however the machine was in horrible condition like it hadn't been cleaned in the t...

As a DME provider I'd like to offer my perspective if it will help. The company I work for has been much more proactive in following these recent Medicare rule changes, however I know a lot of companies that weren't being as proactive and are now backtracking. The Medicare guidelines require the pro...

Brian/SBR, First it appears you are discovering one of the most confounding things about medical care. The insurance company sets the pricing, AKA the "allowable" as it is called in the industry. Insurance will not pay any more than this allowable to any DME regardless of the DME pricing. Sometimes ...