changing DME

[openheartmama]

I did a search for dme changes on the board, but I couldn't get anything specific (I guess dme is too common a term...)

I have been with my DME since September, when I began CPAP therapy. I hate the local company I am with. I really want to change companies, but because I am still under the 10 month rental period for the APAP machine, can I even change now?

Thanks

[LSAT]

I think you will need to stay with them for the 10 months on the machine, but you can go elsewhere for your supplies. Check with your insurance to see who is in network. Be sure you have a copy of your prescription.

[SleepGeek]

I think you will need to stay with them for the 10 months on the machine, but you can go elsewhere for your supplies. Check with your insurance to see who is in network. Be sure you have a copy of your prescription.

Good advice.

Contact your insurance to find out what other suppliers are in your network. Then setup with that new DME. If the other DME contacts you about supplies simply say NO Thanks, not right now, I'm all set.
Getting established with another DME will take some time for them to confirm your insurance.

[openheartmama]

Thanks!

[Janknitz]

You are probably not going to find a DME who wants to finish out your capped rental period and give you a new machine. You're kind of stuck with them for that (and if you need repairs in the next 5 years). But as others have pointed out, you can get supplies elsewhere. You might find other DME's don't want to deal with just supplies because the profit margin is slim. But you might luck out.

[SleepGeek]

I was able to just get supplies when Home Patient was being stubborn about how the script was written taking 5 re-writes and as many weeks so I took my script to Apria. Told Apria exactly the problem I was having and that IF they could deliver before AHP I would take theirs. The Big A did deliver. Some 2 weeks later AHP called saying they had the equipment - I told em I was all set. They wanted to know where I got it - I said now that doesn't really matter but since you have all my paperwork if you want I will get my mask & supplies from you - they agreed.

Then after a couple times they claimed they could no longer get my mask - we were done. IF my mask is still available and you don't want to get it for me - we are done. They called for many months after that only to be ignored.