Think I Should be MAD???????

[Komodo]

If you've read my last few threads, you'll know that I was going to be getting a new Vpap & Hans Rudolph FFM today. Instead, I got...................

NOTHING!

After my last Sleep Study, my new DME called me to let me know they received the prescription from my doctor, and were ready to fill it. I asked them, WHICH Vpap they were going to give me, and they said the "Resmed Vpap Auto 25". Perfect, that's the one I wanted. Then I told them about which mask I wanted. The young lady I was speaking with said the Hans Rudolph wasn't one they carry, and I told her to order it for me. She checked with her boss, and it wasn't a problem. So far, so good.

Few days go by, I get a call from their tech to make an appointment to come here with my supplies. We go over WHAT he's going to be bringing with him, and it's the Auto 25 & Hans Rudolph mask. We make the appointment for today. So far so good again.

"Bob" (not his real name) gets here on time today. NO Resmed, NO Hans Rudolph! Instead, they gave him a Respironic's straight Bi-Level (non-auto) to give me. I refused to accept it! "Bob" was pretty decent about everything, and called the office to inform them. They said they'll order the Auto 25 (they said that before too!) but wouldn't give me an answer about the Hans Rudolph mask! They said they'd "look into it" and get back to me!

Am I MAD? You bettcha!!!! First, because all arrangements were made in advance, and the proper equipment SHOULD HAVE been delivered this first time. SECONDLY, I'm REALLY p*ssed that they TRIED to pawn off a lesser Vpap on me! I feel sorry for any of their other patients who don't know anything about the different machines and will accept whatever the DME hands them!

[Slinky]

You might want to consider writing a tactful, diplomatic letter to the manager or district manager of this local DME supplier to let him/her know what crooked ditzes he/she has working out of this provider's office.

I wouldn't just consider doing it, I'd do it. But then I'm a crochety ole broad.

[grandmma]

What Slinky said!

Also, good on you for sticking to your guns. A lot of people aren't capable of standing up for what they really want, and whilst they'll organise ahead, when it comes to facing someone, they'll settle instead.

But then, I'm another "crotchety ole broad"!

[grandmma]

Occurs to me, "crotchety ole broad" - euphemism for someone who knows what they want, and won't settle?

One translation, older person who rocks the boat by not lying down and going peacefully? Won't accept others know better than she does what's best for her, and how audacious, will listen but not always go along?

You betcha.

[msudawg]

I would be pissed and change DmE's or order off the internet

[kevincoop]

I agree with changing dme's. If they are going to try to pull this on the first visit, what are you going to have to go through every time you need a replacement mask.

[Komodo]

But then I'm a crochety ole broad.

But then, I'm another "crotchety ole broad"!

I'm not a crotchety ole broad, I'm a B.I.T.C.H.

Better Informed Through Cpaptalk Hosehead




Unfortunately, this is the ONLY DME my insurance company will cover. They'll pay 100% w/zero co-pay anywhere else I'd go they'd pay 0%
I'll fight them tooth & nail until I get what I want! The Vpap shouldn't be a problem, they DO carry other Resmed products, it's the mask that's the biggest headache. If they flat out refuse to get it for me, I'll go to my insurance and tell them THEIR DME can't supply what I NEED and talk them into getting it somewhere else and having THEM pay 100% for it.

[SnoreSnoreSnore]

How frustrating. I've discovered the hard way that not all DMEs are equal when it comes to service, attitude, or any of the other factors that make it easier to be a customer.

Other members might know the answer to this, but I wonder if it would be possible/appropriate for your doctor to be specific about the machine he/she wants you on (based on your research and request) and write your Rx accordingly. Let your doc know that you've done your homework and share your reasons for believing that the machine you want is the one you should have. I'm just guessing about this since I haven't had to deal with the issue you're having, but if it's possible to do it this way, I think the DME would have to comply with your doc's orders.

If that doesn't pan out, I wonder what would happen if you called your insurance company, aired your complaint about the DME and asked if they would cover through a different supplier. (Maybe you've done this already?) Who knows - maybe your insurance company has had lots of complaints about this DME and could be talked into covering you through a more customer-oriented supplier. Insurance companies can sometimes be penny-wise and pound-foolish, but you might be able to convince them that having a DME do things right the first time is better for the insurance company's bottom line.

Good for you for sticking to your guns, though. I hope you find a way to get what you know you need.

[Husky Lover]

Komodo, you answered your own question the second time. You get what you pay for.

In the case of insurance paying for it, you are stuck with what they authorize. This is not to say that some negotiating can't be done. As a reasonalble compromise, perhaps they would settle on you paying for the difference from what they authorize versus what you want.

In my case I got exactly what I wanted because I paid for it myself as I still haven't met my deductable. But even if I had, my doctor would write a prescription for specifically what I want. Perhaps that's the problem. Your prescription is too generalized.

[Komodo]

Komodo, you answered your own question the second time. You get what you pay for.

In the case of insurance paying for it, you are stuck with what they authorize. This is not to say that some negotiating can't be done. As a reasonalble compromise, perhaps they would settle on you paying for the difference from what they authorize versus what you want.

In my case I got exactly what I wanted because I paid for it myself as I still haven't met my deductable. But even if I had, my doctor would write a prescription for specifically what I want. Perhaps that's the problem. Your prescription is too generalized.

I have no problem with the insurance. They ALREADY authorizied an auto bi-level machine, and a FFM of my choice. The insurance doesn't care which mask/machine I get, they pay the DME the same for either a $500 or $5000 setup. It's the DME that want to give me the "cheap stuff" to make more of a profit. I don't blame them for that either. They're in business to make as much money as they can, nothing wrong with that. I'm sorry that they're not going to make AS MUCH profit off of me, but I have the right to get the equipment that I both want and NEED.

[DreamDiver]

"Bob" (not his real name) gets here on time today. NO Resmed, NO Hans Rudolph! Instead, they gave him a Respironic's straight Bi-Level (non-auto) to give me. I refused to accept it! "Bob" was pretty decent about everything, and called the office to inform them. They said they'll order the Auto 25 (they said that before too!) but wouldn't give me an answer about the Hans Rudolph mask! They said they'd "look into it" and get back to me!

Typical of Apria.
Am I wrong? I think not.