Help! First machine delivered directly to house?

[Fogster]

I need some help from you experts out there.

I have been stuck waiting for my first cpap machine from my DME. I have been getting the runaround about clearing insurance and Dr Rx. I know this is not a problem because I have already followed up with both. The lady I spoke to today (after I said I really need to get this machine asap) basically indicated the order is just sitting in their system. She said, "to be honest, the fastest way to get it to you is to have it shipped right to your house". I said that is fine.

My Dr prescribed a Resperonics Pro with Data collection with C-Flex. The pressure setting is 8 and the C-Flex is set at 3. Thanks to the forum, I understand what these are. The question I have is since it will be dropped off at my house, I will have to do the set up. Is this pretty doable? Am I going to miss anything big from not having a customer service person bring it out and explain it to me? I am ready to take the machine and figure it out but I thought I would check to see if I might be making a mistake.

[rdfry]

The only setup you have to do is hook up your hoses and adjust your mask.

[jdm2857]

The machine MUST be set to your prescription before it is delivered to you.

[Janknitz]

Lucky you. You and your insurance company are paying brick and mortar prices to a DME that acts like a mail order supplier!

Let me guess, the DME is Apria (also known as Crapria)? They like this ship and run policy. Double check that you get the correct machine when they send it, too. This is ripe for a bait and switch.

It's fine if you are comfortable with the machine and feel like you know what to do. They WILL set it up for you before shipping it, so you don't need to worry about that (hopefully it will be set up correctly). But to be certified by Medicare and most insurance providers, the DME's have a legal and contractual obligation to instruct you in the use of the machine, the mask, the hose, the filters, how to clean the unit, change the filters, and what to do if there are problems. They are weaseling out of it by shipping the machine to you--all they care about is collecting your co-pay.

Not that their "help" is always that great, but if you need it, you're going to have to do some work to get it.

There will be some paperwork they will want you to sign and return--rental or purchase terms, warranties, authorization to bill your insurance, etc. Buried deeply in the fine print you will see that you are also agreeing that they instructed you on the use of the machine, cleaning instructions, etc. Of course, they did not. So try to find that sentence or two in the sea of legal disclaimers and other stuff they throw at you and CROSS IT OUT! Initial it, date it, and write in the margin something like "I did not receive any isntruction from this company about the machine".

Then you have a basis for a complaint if you have problems with this DME company about the machine.

[Slinky]

... There will be some paperwork they will want you to sign and return--rental or purchase terms, warranties, authorization to bill your insurance, etc. Buried deeply in the fine print you will see that you are also agreeing that they instructed you on the use of the machine, cleaning instructions, etc. Of course, they did not. So try to find that sentence or two in the sea of legal disclaimers and other stuff they throw at you and CROSS IT OUT! Initial it, date it, and write in the margin something like "I did not receive any isntruction from this company about the machine".

Then you have a basis for a complaint if you have problems with this DME company about the machine. ...

RIGHT ON, JanKnitz. (The bold & underline emphasis is mine). You are right on top of things, girl!!

[Fogster]

Thanks for that info on the contract. I really have no idea who will deliver it. I will just have to find out when it shows up. It sounds like the settings are already in the machine so I shouldn't have to mess with that too much. I do work with computers so I am pretty good at figuring things out. I am sure with the help of you experts, it will be no problem

Interesting, I called my Ins. Company and they said this is the only supplier they contract with so its either them or pay full price out of pocket. Is that a normal Ins standard?

[Janknitz]

"Shipped right to your house" is exactly what it means. FedEx or UPS, probably.

Interesting, I called my Ins. Company and they said this is the only supplier they contract with so its either them or pay full price out of pocket. Is that a normal Ins standard?

This is the norm with HMO's and not uncommon with other insurance carriers. You need to look carefully at your out of pocket costs. Sometimes with co-pays and deductibles that may have to be paid twice during a capped rental process it's actually cheaper to pay out of pocket for the machine from an online supplier. You should check out these costs before you get the machine from the DME supplier or you could be in for a nasty surprise.

Online suppliers don't come to your home and set you up, either, but they cost a lot less and their telephone customer service is usually freindly and helpful. And THEY recognize that you--not your insurance company--is the customer.

[nosenabook]

The question I have is since it will be dropped off at my house, I will have to do the set up. Is this pretty doable? Am I going to miss anything big from not having a customer service person bring it out and explain it to me? I am ready to take the machine and figure it out but I thought I would check to see if I might be making a mistake.

Yes it is doable, no you are not missing anything big.

You will have a user's manual, besides this forum, to help you set up. Manuals are generally available online if you don't get one shipped with the machine. If the machine isn't already set up with your pressures, that would be a little trickier, but not much.

The hardest thing is probably going to be finding an outlet to plug in the CPAP so you can use it.

[riveredge]

I ordered mine on line and set it up myself ---no follow up from sleep clinic and no insurance--that was nov 09--doing great and still alive....I think