Can you change DME's after a month?

[Judy in CA]

Thanks Slinky
I'm just getting scared to screw around with these rules as i am getting the supplies free but just not the customer service i need.
I'm afraid I'll end up with having to pay for this stuff
Getting cold feet about switching now and know i really should persure this i'm just so tired of fighting this for over 2 months to 'get it right'
thanks all

[Slinky]

... no instructions like last time with new CPAP in CA
It's the Philips Resprironics BiPAP Auto with humidifier. ... he delivers, and you have to call the # and get a step by step walk through for the set up of the machine and questions for the masks.
Not the was it was done in PA for 10 years. ...

Hmmmm. I just re-read your original post and something that didn't register in my mind first time around just did!

I take it you are NOT a newcomer to CPAP therapy, just to bi-level PAP therapy. That "might" explain WHY this first CA local DME provider has handled your situation the way they have. They may well be assuming you are a PAP "pro" after 10 years on PAP and thus only need verbal instructions to set up your new PAP and fit a new mask you want to try. If setup instructions included getting into the Clinicians Menu where the "nitty gritty" stuff is that is one nice PLUS! Very few will share that info w/the patient. I'm guessing tho that most likely the instructions actually were just how to attach the humidifier to the PAP, the hose to the humidifier and mask, etc. Basic stuff. But, I'm always so quick to condemn the local DME providers .....

[Judy in CA]

NO it was preprogrammed in
i can't change it
I think it's all changed b/c of the new CA regulations
my zip code is different than DME across the street that allows RT to come out to peoples homes or set up apts in their office. The DME i have now is 2 hrs away and doesn't provide this

Do you think I'm being too risky in trying to change the DME?
I tried another one of the masks last nite and it was better but still so sleep deprived.
When they took the old machine they took the card and i asked for it as all my info was on it for Medicare but i had qualified for 30 days on CPAP now have to qualify again FOR THE bIpap
Thanks for keeping in touch with me
I appreciate the support as feeling really fragile right now and not sure of my decision making skills.
sure i'm a successful 10 year user but people age and their situations change and i think that they should take the into consideration..........but..............then we get back to common sense and customer service don't we ?

[Slinky]

No, I don't think that there is a thing wrong w/your thinking and your deciding to switch to this new DME provider. Not at all.

I had NO PROBLEMS switching DME providers here in MI based on Medicare rulings. But I can't guarantee that CA might not have been able to interfere w/and tighten Medicare rulings. I just don't know.

I would ask these questions of the new DME you want to use. I doubt very much they will steer you wrong since they know you aren't adverse to switching DME providers if not treated well and fairly.

[Judy in CA]

No, I doubt very much they will steer you wrong since they know you aren't adverse to switching DME providers if not treated well and fairly.

What a great quote and your right.
!!!!

The DME who got me the BiPAP just called and wanted the time used......heck told her it took a week to get here and only had 2 days and used each day i've had it.
Told her i was thinking of switching as didn't like the do RT and this kind of mask adjustment over the phone
She said there wouldn't be a problem they'd just get the machine.
Seems like such a waste of $$
all b/c they won't give good personal customer service face to face. Maybe those days are over you think?

[Slinky]

No, those days aren't over. There are still good local DME providers out there. Its just that unfortunately there are too many trying to cut corners as Medicare reimbursements are reduced and they've found out that they can get away w/lip service and lousy "service" to their PAP patients. The sleep labs and sleep doctors don't provide any education, leaving it up to the DME providers to do so and the sleep deprived patients either "make it" on their own or turn the equipment back in and go untreated.

[Judy in CA]

Thanks Slinky
Because of you and several others, I called my dr's office and asked for the office manager and she said the people i wanted to replace the other DME with IHO GAVE poor customer service tho she was not to say that
she wanted to know HOW AND WHY A NEW BiPap was left at more door with not instructions.
Ecxplained all i'd written before here and she said to call their direct manager and gave me his cell # as this was not the was customer service was to be done.
Called him......he was in the area and will be here in about 1/2

Seems they are located with RT trained on the phones about 2 hrs aways but in a situation like this, he will stop out. I called to put a stop on the other provider and just as the manager at Dr office said, They hadn't followed up with needed paper work to do the switch over.

It's just so frustrating. If this was my only medical issue it would be one thing but so much going on i have to get this done first

[Janknitz]

Do you think I'm being too risky in trying to change the DME?

Take a look at my blogpost: http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/2011/0 ... h-a-brick/

Even though you didn't get stuck with a bad machine, the same principles apply, especially that you need to act fast because each month you stick with your current DME is a month of rental lost to your new DME.

[Judy in CA]

Haven't read the link yet but staying with the old DME
Called Dr office about the new DME and she said the manager of this old DME would not be happy with the service i got and to call him ASAP
He was in the area and was here in 1 hr spent one hour and tried his best but hands tied as new prescription to go to high level of pressure to test mask couldn't be done until tomorrow even with dr office verbal
too many rules but at least he wants me to CALL him personally if i have a problem and he said it would be fixed.
Also shared the company i wanted to go with has been sold 3 times in a year and i got the service from them 1 1/2 years ago and it's a company some of you have mentioned that you've had trouble with so.
thanks aLL OF you for your support while i tried to figure this out
even tho I stayed ............. it was a good lesson, learned a lot and know now i have a DME that has my back and even any apiology about yesterday. He just had a delivery man in the area and wanted me to get the machine quickly
deep breath Judy and praying for good nites sleep with another new mask that came in the mail that was ordered yesterday.
He did say what you all say, with high pressures the masks will likely make some noises.
Judy