DME questions

[erynfaith]

I live in N. Tucson... my DME is based out of Phoenix. The bring everything to me so I don't have to drive the 2 hour to get to their office but I'm feeling a bit short changed. in the month that I've been using my bipap and during the tests I've tried 4 masks. one I don't know the name of (it was during my first test) the second one that was during my titration was a F10 which I told them they could burn it and I never wanted to see it again. leaked so bad! when the lady brought me my machine she brought the f10 as well and a p10. I told her I'd take the nasal one even though I tend to exhale though my mouth often. I didn't want to torture myself with the leaks. when the mouth leaks proved to be harder to deal with I did some research and requested the Hybrid mask... to the DME lady's credit she did tell me it probably wouldn't work for me and that she's only ever ordered one and it didn't work for that person either. yeah I didn't listen so that's on me... and they did let me have my old mask back... Now I'm waiting for the next time I can get a covered mask.

is it normal for DMEs not to allow you to try masks on before you settle on one to try for a while? I mean she said once it was open I was stuck with it. she also said that they should have done the fitting at the sleep study place (which they sorta did but it was really half-assed since I only tried one each test) should I consider looking for a different company? Just looking for some insight. thanks!

[Julie]

Find out from your insurance co. if they have a problem if you go to Cpap.com and get a mask there (you'd need to submit a script of course)? They have loads of masks, pix, graphs, reviews, etc... and a 30 day free trial period for you to use. Your DME sounds typical, but it doesn't make it right.

[erynfaith]

that's where I've been going for my research as well as freecpapadvice.com 's forum and videos.

[Julie]

Well, has your insurance co. told you there'd be a problem if you ordered from them, or other online dealers, or even just other local DME's?

[Janknitz]

Manufacturers provide DMe's with free sample masks that they can allow patients to try, but I'm pretty certain most DME's sell their free sample masks out the back door rather than use them to help their patients select the mask that works best for them. Manufacturers also have a return policy if a mask doesn't work out, but it's a lot of paperwork for the DME so they tend to make up stupid rules so you are often limited on number of returns.

A well-fitted and comfortable mask is the key to CPAP success, but some DME's make it so darn difficult. There are people here who went through as many as a dozen masks to find THE one. There's a name for people like that--"compliant" because they can comfortably use their CPAP, and "healthy" because the properly fitted mask supports optimal CPAP use.

[yaconsult]

DME policies vary greatly. Mine allow me to change, only once, and within 30 days. After that, I'm stuck with it. I did return the swift fx and got the airfit P10 and, luckily, I have been very pleased with that.

Note that our excellent sponsor, cpap.com, offers masks at very good prices and the best part is that the most popular masks often come with free 30 day insurance so that you can return masks that don't work for you. This can be one of the best ways to try out different masks.

You probably also have the option of going to your current DMEs office and trying out more masks, even though it's a long trip - it might be worth it one time On the other hand, it's hard to tell how well a mask will work for you without actually sleeping with it.

[erynfaith]

I'm going to try to find a DME where I can talk to people and get help with fitting. I've had no luck fitting masks myself (or re fitting) no I haven't called to see what else I can do with my insurence because I can't do anything for 2 more months anyway. I was planning on makeing the call in the next week or so.

going to their office really isn't an option until fall - it's been 110-120 here in Tucson and hotter in Phoenix while we have a car we don't have AC in it so no long trips... who thought to move to Arizona and not fix the AC. I've also been told by them over the phone they don't allow you to try on the masks just look.

I thank you all for your suggestions though. I will be looking into a local dme soon though. Thanks!

[teddynola]

That's unacceptable that your DME does not allow you to try on masks. When I was first diagnosed, I went to the sleep center, which also was the DME, and tried on multiple masks, until I found the perfect one. You should contact your insurance company to see if there is a provider that is actually in the city that you live. Tuscon is not a small town. I hope that you get this problem resolved soon, cpap has changed my quality of life, immensely.

[Sleepy me]

Dme companies do not get unlimited free samples for pts to try. Dme companies do not have the capability to sanitize masks in between patients. Sleeps labs are supposed to be equipped with sanitizing mechanisms and can reuse masks. Masks used in labs are marked "sample" or "lab mask" and are not as durable as the standard masks.