What a NIGHTMARE!

[GatorMan]

I just returned from the DME for the third time today. Previously I posted the problems I had with the sleep center. On top of that, my wife thinks this is all a scam. Today I had my appointment with the DME for fitting and getting my appliance. As the Sleep Center wrote the script for a large Quattro full face mask, that was all they were going to give me. They also did not want to give me the M series with A-Flex. I left and called the sleep center and was able to talk the Nurse Practitioner into writing Mask of Choice, and correcting for type of machine. Back to the DME. I was shown an M Series w/ A-Flex as a demo. The Tech then set up my machine telling she was setting it up in C-Flex mode due to my prescribed pressure of 10. I left happy telling her how good of an experience it had been dealing with her. Boy, was I wrong.

When I returned home and set up my machine, I sat down and read the instructions. Yes ladies, men do read instructions. I could find no section of A-Flex operation. I then looked closely at the machine and found it to be an M Series w/ C-Flex only. When I called the tech at the DME I was told that I must be mistaken as they do not sell the A-Flex machine and I was not prescribed one in the first place. She then began to tell me there is no difference in the C-Flex and A-Flex. I informed her I would be right back to return the system.

When I entered the establishment She greeted me with a attitude and told me I misunderstood her and she had told me at the time she demo’ed the system that it was a C-Flex. Until I showed her the A-Flex she had demo’ed still setting on the counter. Her attitude changed and will now get me an A-Flex machine, in a couple of days. Now my equipment is in a cabinet in the garage, waiting for the right machine.

Boy, do I need and Drink and a Nap! Maybe dying peacefully in my sleep is not such a bad idea.

[DreamStalker]

Sorry about your nightmare. But you are not alone ... happens on a daily basis to lots of poor, sick, and tired folks suffering from OSA.

Welcome to the wonderful world of full service DMEs where you (I mean they) usually get their money's worth.

After you get your AFLEX machine, I would loose their phone number and address and never make contact with them again.

[Sergey45]

What was the name of your local DME?

[carbonman]

Now my equipment is in a cabinet in the garage, waiting for the right machine.

Gator, I had a very similar experience in getting my system....BUT...
I got what I wanted. You will, too.

.....but don't let that machine sit on the shelf,
get that therapy going w/what you have......
You'll be that farther ahead when you get you AFlex.

Fight the Borg......resistance is not futile.

[Bubsycooks]

gman,
EXACTLY MY EXPERIENCE! I fought for an a-flex and thought I won. I ended up with a c-flex and now consider myself lucky that I got an APAP at all.
Very disgusted by this industry. Very money oriented.

[DreamStalker]

Maybe "thedean" will post on this thread and make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

[Ren]

I was originally supposed to get a RemStar Pro, but unknown to me (had not been here yet, didn't know what to look for) DME gave me a RemStar Plus - despite the delivery slip saying Pro. Grrr! At f/u appt. with sleep doc, (and having learned a lot here) I got a script for the RemStar Auto with A-Flex, and a data download in 2 weeks.

DME interpreted this as a 2 week loaner of the Auto, then return to the Plus! A-holes! The sleep center called them and straightened that out quick, making sure they understood the Auto was my permanent machine. The script, which is a form with lots of checkboxes for different machines and options, noted length of treatment on new machine as "99 months" and noted that this number designated "lifelong." So, DME was basically trying to screw me.

Then the DME says that after sending in the card, I do not get it back. Presumably, they are trying to keep me as uninformed as possible. Now that I have Encore Viewer and card reader, on the advice of this board, I will print out the data download and send it in. This should infuriate the DME to no end!!

BTW, DME is "Professional Home Care" (or as I say, UN-Professional Home Care) in Berlin, CT.

[Pekoepup]

I just went through the exact same experience with my DME but I was firm and polite and I won. Yesterday, I came home with the M series APAP with A-Flex. The very machine that the DME told me was very rare and impossible to get.

The DME then tried to do a bait and switch with me also but I noticed the C-Flex written on the machine before I left their office and refused to take the machine. Five days later, I had the machine my doc ordered and the machine that I wanted. You did the right thing. Good luck. I know you will get what you want.