Order APAP machine online versus thru DME

[Mr Tired]

I am ready to get an APAP machine. My sleep Doc sent my prescription to a local DME, who specializes in "Sleep Disorders Treatment". I am wondering why I should go with them instead of having the doc give me the prescription so I can order the machine myself online. The online price is half of the price thru the DME. Looks like this would save the insurance company a lot of money. Any thoughts on this??

Mr Tired

[chrisp]

I've bought several auto units online. Can't think of any reason to buy from a DME unless you just enjoy being lied to, ripped off and aggravated.
My single encounter with a DME was bad. He lied. Tried to charge for items that weren't even compatable with my equipment like nasal pillows . I brought back the rent to own cheapo cpap after 1 month. The day after my web ordered auto Spirit arrived. I've been spreading the word about the EVIL DMEs ever since.

:twis ted:

[mikemoran]

The only issue you may have is whether Insurance will re-imburse you. My "not so evil DME" recommended I buy online instead of from her when I was buying the machine on my own. Keep in mind what the DME says the price is and what they get re-imbursed by from the Insurance Company are two different things.

[SnoreNoMore2005]

There is no right answer to your question. It's like asking should I buy or lease a car. It all depends on your situation.

If you have no health insurance, than buying online is much cheaper. If you have health insurance, most insurance companies don't work with online companies. This means they either won't reimburse you at all or will reimburse you a smaller percentage.

Another advantage of a DME might be that you can rent the machine for a month or two to make sure it's what you need.

Unless you have an extraordinary DME, you will find you can get much more advise and support on this forum than you will from a DME.

You'll just have to way the pros and cons yourself depending on what your situation and insurance is.

Good luck
SnoreNoMore2005

[jesse58]

From experience on buying replacement parts like a CPAP mask I was in a DME office earlier this summer for Oxygen problem and a gentleman walked in needing a new mask. They told him without a script /insurance it would cost him $150 for the regular mask over the nose etc. I had just bought the same mask on line from cpap company for around 70 .So their price was double for the same mask.