I opted to go with a DME instead of online ordering and it seemed like a complete scam:Guest wrote:From where are you saving the money? Your local DME is where you SHOULD buy your equipment. That's where this stuff should be purchased. I'm glad your insurance company is smart enough to not compensate fully for online purchases. When manufacturers wake up and start raising their prices to online companies, then you'll see many things change.I'd prefer to buy the equipment online and save money, but my insurance company will only pay 70% online versus 90% for a contracted DME. Thanks to the kickbacks the insurance company gets from the contracted DME (in the form a price increase for me and a reduction for the insurance company), I wind up paying about the same amount (~$250) either way, but get more support from the local DME.
CPAP machine plus humidifier: $2470 from DME vs. $699 online (a 253% difference)
Nasal mask: $590 from DME vs. $69 online (a 755% difference)
The DME charged $350 for a one hour "initiation" with someone who knew less than me and told me she got the job without having any idea what CPAP or sleep apnea was.
In addition to the extreme baseline prices, the DME charged separate line item prices for nearly every consumable component that came included with other items. For example, I was charged $470 for the humidifier and another $85 for the humidifier chamber. In addition to the price for the mask, I was charged $35 for the swivel that comes with the mask and another $150 for the cushions that come with the mask.
Furthermore, the DME forced me to sign a waiver stating that all items were "SALE" items and were non-returnable and non-refundable.
I have no love for my DME, and I hope never to deal with them ever again.