Back from the DME and not very happy

[laxmom]

I went to the DME today that the doctor told me to go to. They had my machine ready and when it came time to try on masks they only had AirFit Masks. P10, N10, and F10. I am a mouth breather I found out as soon as I put on the nasal masks so they wouldn't work for me. I really wanted to try the amara view hybrid mask. The response from the person helping me was that in her 11 years she found hybrid masks don't work and they only carry the AirFit brand masks. So what are my options then? Do I have to buy one out of pocket and try it and hope it works? I don't really like the F10 all the way up my nose. I haven't tried sleeping with it yet but I'm just disappointed I only had 3 options. It seems like most of you have had multiple options.

[chunkyfrog]

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -mask.html
(((Call for actual price)))
The DME that supplies your machine need not be the same one that you get your mask from.
Do not take any mask home if it does not suit you!
Take it back and tell them to ORDER what you want! It is their JOB--dammit!

[nanwilson]

Do not believe anything a DME tells you, check with your health insurance to see which DMEs are in your network and get rid of this one. What Chunkyfrog said is correct, they work for YOU, its their job to help you.
Good luck
Nan

[Janknitz]

And make sure to write your displeasure to the doctor with a cc to that DME. The doctor has NO BUSINESS referring to a DME with such limited mask selection. The doctor needs to know what tricks they are up to.

[Mudrock63]

The response from the person helping me was that in her 11 years she found hybrid masks don't work and they only carry the AirFit brand masks.

Is she a patient? Sounds like BS to me. You need to get what works for you, not for some broad working at the DME.

[LSAT]

Contact your insurance company and find out what DMEs are in network. You can go to any of them as long as you have a copy of your prescription. Tell your current DME what you are doing and see if they don't change their tune and find other masks for you.

[Janknitz]

laxmom wrote:
The response from the person helping me was that in her 11 years she found hybrid masks don't work and they only carry the AirFit brand masks.

They only carry one brand of masks because they get a great volume discount from the manufacturer so that they have a broader profit margin. It has nothing to do with what works. That's different for every face.

[BlackSpinner]

. I really wanted to try the amara view hybrid mask. The response from the person helping me was that in her 11 years she found hybrid masks don't work and they only carry the AirFit brand masks.

It seems like most DME employees are the dredges of street sweepings. They make the worst used car salespeople look great.


I have used the Innomed Hybrid for the last 5 1/2 years. I am on my second mask. They just don't make enough MONEY of people who use Hybrids.

[bwexler]

What machine did they provide?
If it is not a full data capable auto PAP I would return everything and tell them you are going elsewhere unless they provide the products and services you expect.

Please let us know about all the items they provided so we can suggest a way forward.

There are people with 11 years experience at their jobs, and people with ONE year experience 11 times.

[chunkyfrog]

It looks like she has the Airsense 10 Autoset For Her,
That is why I said she could get masks elsewhere.

[PEF]

I just want to put in a plug for the Amara View. I first bought the Airfit F10 and hated it - I had to pay out of pocket and it was a complete waste of money!

The Amara View is the only FFM/hybrid that fits my face. I loved it so much that I bought 2 of them!!

I still use my pillow masks also!

[Janknitz]

It looks like she has the Airsense 10 Autoset For Her,
That is why I said she could get masks elsewhere.

She said the Airsense 10 Autoset for Her was ordered, but I hope that's what she got. I'm not sure I'd trust that DME not to pull a bait and switch.

Laxmom, can you doublecheck your machine. On the front right hand lower corner there should be the name of the machine. Does it say "Autoset for Her"?

[laxmom]

Yes I did get the Airsense 10 Autoset for Her. Thanks to finding this forum before going to the final doctor apt I new to ask for that machine. The good thing is that the Airsense Autoset is the only one that my doctor perscribes. The DME he sent me to only had the Airsense model and only the Airfit Masks. that was it even if I wanted something else I couldn't get it. I think there may be some kickback going on. I am going to call the DME this AM and ask how I can get another type of mask to try. I am willing to buy one out of pocket since I have good insurance and they have covered everything else since I made my deductible already this year.

Thanks for all the help!

[chunkyfrog]

If you are paying out of pocket, compare prices at cpap.com, the forum sponsors.
They have return insurance, which is often free, and shipping is prompt,
as opposed to most DME's, who may wait a week or more before even ORDERING!

[Holden4th]

My DME has just supplied me with the the Resmed S9 after I requested a change of machine. It took about a week for them to get one in from their main branch but that's OK. I was happy to wait.

She was surprised, but not annoyed, that I had accessed the clinicians menu on the F&P Icon Auto and made the changes that the forum suggested. She was also happy to accept a script written by my GP. He didn't have the faintest idea what he was writing out but he trusted me not to kill myself. As he's the guy who diagnosed my serious heart condition and literally saved my life I also trust him.

But you are correct, these people are working for you. Ask, and if you don't receive, then go somewhere else.