DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri May 29, 2009 9:15 pm

Rosie, I don't think there is any untruth or stupid thing a local DME supplier could say that would surprise me anymore. And I've only been at this CPAP bit since 0ct '06.

Son of a gun!!! You joined cpaptalk.com on my birthday!!! (Yeah, right, like I'm only 3 years old)

gasparama · Post by **gasparama** » Fri May 29, 2009 9:59 pm

I'm impressed, catnapper. You made a wise move. There is no good in helping those ne're do wells along.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:26 am

Actually, I ran into something similar altho the local DME supplier's staff weren't as obnoxious as what you encountered. When I called to tell them I was returning their equipment they told me I couldn't do so w/o my doctor's order. Even that was enough to make me see red the shape I was in from not enough sleep and I was at their office returning it w/in a half hour of our phone conversation.

But - they DO HAVE to notify the doctor that you've returned the equipment, or refused the equipment, just to protect themselves as they were given a "prescription" to fill. And that is all well and good, after all it is the truth you have returned the equipment. This DME supplier did not give me any guff, just gave me a receipt for return of the equipment w/the statement "patient refused equipment". Which was true.

Its the WAY your DME supplier talked to you and their ATTITUDE that would have set me off and I would have done just as you did even if at the time I was getting restful sleep and therefore not as "touchy" as I was when I returned mine. The DME supplier didn't "threaten" me as this DME supplier did you. THAT "threat" is what would have set me off big time.

I went straight to the sleep lab from returning the equipment and told them why and asked for the script to be sent to another local DME supplier contracted w/my insurance and that it be specific for the exact brand and model I wanted. The sleep lab's doctor was willing to do so and did. So instead of the Respironics pre-M Series Plus w/C-Flex I got the Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR. The difference being you've already purchased a fully data capable CPAP and my DME supplier being more tactful.

rosiefrosie · Post by **rosiefrosie** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:28 am

Freedom of choice, that's what it's all about. 3 years ago when I was 1st diagnosed with sleep apnea and knew less than I do now ( which, BTW, I don't know much more now) I was given a machine that was less than suitable for anyone's needs and sent on my merry way. I did go back when I learned more about Sleep apnea and treatment and asked why people were not given choices and was told they do. Well, I said I wasn't and they shut right up, but it was too late to get another machine. The person who did the sleep apnea people has been replaced and this new person has been most helpful, he ordered the new machine I wanted, even helped me with the settings. I was honest with him and told him that I wanted to monitor my condition, because if I didn't no one else would, that I felt my pressure setting was wrong and wanted to know what it should be and my MD was not being very cooperative and was upset with me because I told her I knew how to change the settings. With his help I found out I was right. I wish they were all like him. I know that I can go to him with anything and trust him. I guess what the DME's and doctors who treat Sleep apnea don't realize is that if they give up some of their control and let the patients be more responsible for their condition and treatment it would be allot easier on everyone.

I really hate to come down on the medical profession, because I am a nurse, but this experience has been very enlightening.

Rosie

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sat May 30, 2009 5:16 pm

What I really don't understand is how they "made you sign the letter"? I would have told them where to stick their letter and possibly contacted the police if they refused to give me a receipt for the returned equipment. What BS.

LoQ · Post by **LoQ** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:51 pm

I would love to see my DME "tattle" on me to my doctor. He would laugh them right off the phone call! What idiots. Everyone wants to be the CPAP police, apparently.

zen · Post by **zen** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:20 pm

I bought an O2 concentrator at a Goodwill store and after having it checked out I told my DME that they
could pick there's up. Oh! they were not happy about that, told me I couldn't return it. I asked what happens if
I refuse to pay the darn $38 a month copay will you pick it up then? They ended up taking it back.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sun May 31, 2009 1:19 pm

That was precicely my point. You give it to them. They either choose to give you a receipt or worst case you send a letter documenting that you returned to (to whom and when and when) and then you don't pay.

Trinity101 · Post by **Trinity101** » Sun May 31, 2009 1:46 pm

rosiefrosie-As a nurse,you should be well aware that docs are certainly fallible-we nurses keep them from killing people every day for heaven's sake-
~joan

rosiefrosie · Post by **rosiefrosie** » Sun May 31, 2009 4:42 pm

Joan, Yes I'm well aware how fallible we all are including doctors.

Rosie

Trinity101 · Post by **Trinity101** » Sun May 31, 2009 9:52 pm

I don't know why I am bothering to defend myself- but I suppose I should have said- Don't feel you should have to feel bad because someone in the medical field turned out to be an idiot -your DME- just because you work in the field- there are good and bad in every field- sorry if my choice of words offended you or anyone else. It was meant as a joke.
~joan

boston · Post by **boston** » Sun May 31, 2009 10:13 pm

ya know, youd think these idiots wouldnt screw with us, especially in the begining, being sleep deprived and all, thats usually when people are short tempered the most.
but then again, going to pick up equipment form a DME, they know your sleep deprived and i think they use that to screw most of us.

rosiefrosie · Post by **rosiefrosie** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:09 am

Joan, Sorry, I was a little testy yesterday. Could it be from lack of sleep? I do understand completely what you were saying.

DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."

Re: DME: "We'll tell your MD you discontinued therapy."