Resupply "Waste"

[zuckie13]

OK, so I got my first 3 month resupply from my DME - Full Mask, Hose and Filters.

Here's what the sent for the mask:

Full Wisp mask kit - the fit pack (headgear, frame, and all three sizes of interface)
Large headgear (cause my big fat head doesn't quite fit the standard size)

Now, I use the large size interface, so after assembling my new mask I have:

Regular size headgear
S/M interface
XL interface

Seems like stuff like this explains why healthcare costs explode. Obviously, I will not use any of those items.
Is this what DMEs usually do?
Wouldn't it make sense to just send me the parts I will actually use?
What is also funny is based on CPAP.com prices it would be a wash cost wise no matter how you do it ($146-$148 depending on option):
Fit pack and large headgear (what I got from my DME)
Mask w/o headgear and large headgear (I'd still have the extra interfaces)
Frame, interface, large headgear, short tube
At least the last one wouldn't leave me with extra parts (just extra profit margin for someone....)

[LSAT]

You must have signed up for automatic shipments when you bought your equipment. Call the DME and tell them not to send anything unless you ask for it. This is why we say...NEVER GIVE THE DME YOUR CREDIT CARD.

[zuckie13]

I guess I should clarify, that this is insurance paying for the resupply, not me.

[ChicagoGranny]

Obviously, I will not use any of those items.
Is this what DMEs usually do?

In some respect, it's just like any other business. Send back what you don't need and tell them they better not bill your insurance. If they do, report them to your insurance company (or Medicare).

Don't let anyone treat you like a doormat.

[Wulfman...]

I guess I should clarify, that this is insurance paying for the resupply, not me.

Do YOU pay insurance premiums?
If so, then YOU ARE PAYING. (along with everyone else who pays premiums to your insurance provider)

Just a very small example of why insurance and healthcare costs have gone up exponentially in recent years.
This stuff isn't "FREE". SOMEBODY is paying for it.


Den

.

[chunkyfrog]

Although it is a good idea to have some reserve supplies, (poop happens)
some of the materials can yellow with age and exposure to light.
Supplies also take up space you could be LIVING in.

[archangle]

It's probably cheaper for the manufacturer to ship the extra sizes of interface with every order. It's just plastic. Even if it's high quality plastic, in the quantities made, a plastic interface probably costs them 50 cents or less to make another interface. It would probably cost them more to maintain inventory for a separate part number than to just ship all sizes with all orders.

The headgear is probably a similar situation.

There's a great mask exchange thread (or something similar) thread on this board where people exchange extra supplies like this.

[mariejeanne]

The dirty little secret here is that the masks and seals cost so little to make, it's not worth it to the DME to customize your order.

[Pugsy]

It's probably cheaper for the manufacturer to ship the extra sizes of interface with every order.

Actually I think that it's mainly what the DME chooses to keep on hand for shelf inventory...have a mask with all sizes available to cover everyone.
I know that ResMed has other packages available in a lot of their masks...like a ResMed Swift FX with just one pillow size in the package or maybe frame and one pillow size.

So DMEs could purchase something with just one of whatever size instead of multiple sizes but I bet that the package with 1 size of something costs nearly as much as the package with 3 sizes and having to do single sizes would be an inventory nightmare.

I once looked at all the various configurations of potential inventory that ResMed offered with just the Swift FX...it's all by "product" number and there was several options.
I suspect it is that way across manufacturers and across various models where frames can be used on multiple sizes of pillows or cushions.

DMEs stock something that has best chance of one package covering all patient sizes and that's what they ship out as replacement products.

[Wulfman...]

OK, so I got my first 3 month resupply from my DME - Full Mask, Hose and Filters.

Here's what the sent for the mask:

Full Wisp mask kit - the fit pack (headgear, frame, and all three sizes of interface)
Large headgear (cause my big fat head doesn't quite fit the standard size)

Now, I use the large size interface, so after assembling my new mask I have:

Regular size headgear
S/M interface
XL interface

Seems like stuff like this explains why healthcare costs explode. Obviously, I will not use any of those items.
Is this what DMEs usually do?
Wouldn't it make sense to just send me the parts I will actually use?
What is also funny is based on CPAP.com prices it would be a wash cost wise no matter how you do it ($146-$148 depending on option):
Fit pack and large headgear (what I got from my DME)
Mask w/o headgear and large headgear (I'd still have the extra interfaces)
Frame, interface, large headgear, short tube
At least the last one wouldn't leave me with extra parts (just extra profit margin for someone....)

Looking at this from another point of view.......
For years, many forum members complained about their DMEs pulling out the items they thought the user wouldn't "need" and keeping them to sell to others for additional profit. Sometimes, with nasal pillows, the user may have needed to try different sizes to get the correct fit.
The scenario you've described where the DME included the extra items is exactly what CPAP.COM has always done. All the sizes come with the masks at one price (package deal).

So, I guess it depends on which way a person wants to look at it.


Den

.

[chunkyfrog]

When my DME was new, they traded pillows with me so I would have 2 the right size.
Since then, they just keep the medium for another small.
So I ended up with extras in the XS size, {{{which I have given away}}}