DME recommendations in Bay Area, California

[m3m3m3]

Hi

I'm recently diagnosed with OSA and was prescribed a BiPAP machine. I was hoping to get some recommendations for a good DME in the Bay Area California. I'm specifically near West San Jose. But I think it is more important to get the right DME, so I can travel if necessary. If not a recommendation for a good one, I would like to know which DMEs to avoid.

I also read that some DMEs will come out to your house to help setup your machine and try on masks. Others require you to go to their offices and setup there. It sounds like coming out to my house would be nice since I would be able to try everything out in my bed. But I guess on the flip side they may not be able to bring out alot of masks with them on the home visit. Am I missing something, is it better to setup at home or in the DME's office?

Thanks in advance and I'm glad to see there is a great online community providing support!

[Janknitz]

I'm of two minds on the home vs. DME store thing.

As you point out, you choices are more limited in your home. We see this all the time--the DME brings out ONE mask, or maybe only Four masks for you to try. You need as many as it takes to find the right one. Similarly, the DME brings out A machine. It may not be the one you want. But you've waited a while, and the DME has brought only that one bright shiny machine, and claims what a problem it was to come to YOUR home, so you accept what you get instead of what you want.

On the other hand, nothing is more ridiculous than fitting you for a mask standing or sitting in a showroom, perhaps never hooking up a machine. A mask should be fit with you lying down in your normal sleeping position--difficult if not impossible in a store setting.

Bottom line is to do your homework before you ever contact a DME (please be sure to read my blog post "What you need to know BEFORE you meet your DME" and whichever way you go, be aware of the limitations of the setting.

[Smokey11]

Hi
I was hoping to get some recommendations for a good DME in the Bay Area California.

Sleepquest in San Carlos. So far they've been outstanding.

[cowlypso]

I think I would be creeped out having a DME come to my home, and into my bedroom. My DME has an old machine in their office next to a recliner to test masks. The recliner doesn't go all the way flat, but you're not sitting up straight in a chair, and you can try the mask out at your pressure.

[DennisG]

The first thing you need to do is check which companies are in-network with your insurance company as you don't want to get in the middle of the "reasonable and customary charges" battle between the DME and your insurance company.

I would ask your Sleep Doctor or your Sleep Center for recommendations. My Sleep Center in San Ramon had the DME bring the equipment to the Sleep Center to fit and test laying on their beds. They used a company called n2Sleep out of Pleasanton. I already knew what machine and mask I wanted, so for me it was more fitting and size checking.

My first round with a DME was with Apria. I would stay away from them as my experience with them over several years was terrible. I think you will find similar experiences from others on the board

Good luck,
Dennis

[m3m3m3]

Thanks for the fast responses and great feedback!

I have Anthem Blue Cross PPO and talked to them. They said some companies which they have contracts with are AdvantaCare, Apria (who it sounds like I should avoid), Care Medical, CHME, LinCare, Pacific Pulmonary Services, and Pulmonary Solutions. It sounds like there are more in my area and that if I gave them a name they could confirm it. It seems like they have contracts with most of the vendors which is good.

As for the machine, my doctor prescribed a specific machine and the prescriptions says do not substitute. So I guess that should clear up the machine selection and just leave the task of finding the right mask. Maybe it is better to go to the DME office and have more variety of masks to try.

I will try to ask my Dr for suggestions, but does anyone else have good (or bad) experiences with Bay Area DMEs? Thanks again!

[Janknitz]

As for the machine, my doctor prescribed a specific machine and the prescriptions says do not substitute.

Just out of curiosity, what machine???

[m3m3m3]

Respironics PR System one BiPap ST device... Is this a good machine?

[DennisG]

As for the machine, my doctor prescribed a specific machine and the prescriptions says do not substitute. So I guess that should clear up the machine selection and just leave the task of finding the right mask.

When you call the DME's you are thinking of using, make sure they know you have a machine specific prescription and make sure they are going to honor that prescription and that they have one in stock or can get it quickly. Many people have battled with DME's over this issue.

Do your homework on masks before your visit. Do some reading here on what people are using and what problems they have with the different masks. Make sure they run the machine at your maximum pressure to check for leaks.

Respironics PR System one BiPap ST device... Is this a good machine?

I am happy with my Respironics PR System One machine.

[máirtín]

Apria has a bad rap but my RT in Menlo Park is wonderful.

[semele]

I'm new to CPAP (just started in early May), but so far I like my DME very much. It's Pacific Pulmonary Services (their CPAP department is called Peak Sleep). They came to my house to give me my machine and set everything up. My doctor had prescribed a ComfortGel Blue mask, so that's what the RT brought, but after she talked to me about my sleep study she recommended I try nasal pillows instead. While she was at my home she called in and placed the order for a Swift FX for Her, and it arrived a few days later. So far they've made everything very easy. I've called the 800 number a few times with questions and everyone I've spoken with has been very pleasant and seemed to really want to help me.

I live in Los Altos, but I think they're based in San Jose and travel throughout the Bay Area.

Good luck!