Do EMEs Ever Check Back On You??

[busylady]

Just curious if anyone has a DME that calls to check on you if you've changed masks, etc. or had problems with equipment. It seems like that would be good customer service. I think mine is overloaded because they've cut staff. It would have been nice to have an email or callback to check if the new mask was working or not. I bet I don't have any contact until he wants to supply replacement stuff in a couple months.

[Slinky]

There are those who only check back w/you ONCE - to get your compliance data to submit to your insurance so that they get paid. They count on you contacting them when something breaks, wears out, etc. Fortunately, they are a minority.

[Otter]

My mother's DME only calls when they can bill her insurance for something. No one has ever asked for her smartcard, even to read the compliance data.

Recently, the sleep lab she went to five years go called to "follow up" and see how she was doing with her CPAP machine. I'm still trying to figure out how to respond to that one. Think I could convince them that she died because she wasn't titrated properly?

[busylady]

LIke your comment about reporting your mother died because of their neglect. Sounds like they are just in the business for the money as I suspected.

[goldfinch]

I know a lot of people have trouble with their DMEs. I am pleased with mine. For example:

--The person who works with me always does a follow up call after a change.
--They gave me the S9 Autoset without me asking for a particular machine.
--They are methodical about masks, first trying the least intrusive nasal pillows and moving up from there.
--They let me return a mask outside of the 30 day trial period because I was traveling.
--They will mail supplies to me anywhere in the US.
--They got a supply of Provent at my docs request.
--They discuss things with me and as a result of my recommendation of barley hull pillows they include those as a suggestion to others.
--I can walk in anytime and they will make time for me.
--When I complained of air swallowing they did some research and gave me some helpful web links.
--They know I have the software and have no issues with it. I have no printer though so I took my card in and they printed off the data for me.

[Otter]

Wow, Goldfinch, what DME do you use? Doesn't sound very corporate. Is it a small, independent DME?

[goldfinch]

I use Providacare. I don't know if they are independent or not. They are in Duluth, Minnesota. My sleep doc said all the local DMEs were good. I would strongly recommend them to anyone.

[LSAT]

My mother's DME only calls when they can bill her insurance for something. No one has ever asked for her smartcard, even to read the compliance data.

Recently, the sleep lab she went to five years go called to "follow up" and see how she was doing with her CPAP machine. I'm still trying to figure out how to respond to that one. Think I could convince them that she died because she wasn't titrated properly?

Since most insurance will replace a CPAP machine at 5 years, they are probably sniffing around for some new business.

[Otter]

I use Providacare. I don't know if they are independent or not. They are in Duluth, Minnesota. My sleep doc said all the local DMEs were good. I would strongly recommend them to anyone.

Sounded like secondwindcpap.com. Not sure what their bricks and mortar shop is called, but it's in Tracy, not Duluth. But two DMEs who care about their customers? Maybe I should move to Minnesota. I haven't been up that way in decades, but I'm getting a very good impression of the state.

[Otter]

Since most insurance will replace a CPAP machine at 5 years, they are probably sniffing around for some new business.

Oh, I'm certain that's what it's about. But it's mind-bogglingly lame to call after five full years and pretend to be doing a follow up. They might as well just state their business. At least then they'd be honest. And since they were pretty good the first time around, if she does need another sleep study, as I suspect she will to get her next machine, we'd use them again.

[nanwilson]

NEVER!!!!!! and its been an year and a half!

[nudave]

I'm wondering if my DME will call. Aug 11th will be the one month mark. Are you able to switch to whatever DME you want for masks/pillows/hoses? I haven't heard anything from my sleep doctor or DME since starts 8/11.

I asked when I received my equipment, "What's next?" to the respiratory therapist. His response was, "Go home.." I said, "Duh. Is anyone going to call me or what?", he said that I should get a call from someone checking compliance. However, I'm doubting it....

I'm starting to think I need new pillows on the Swift FX after 3 weeks, they seem a little on the hard side since I've started therapy.

[Culby]

I was told to expect a call from the DME within the first week, but I haven't heard anything. Could be I missed their call and they didn't leave a message, but still.

Then again, today marks "the first week", so, hey, maybe next week.

[chunkyfrog]

We quit our first DME because they were balance billing and filing fraudulent charges;
but we told them it was because they don't work with medicare (probably more the other way around)
Who knows; we might actually need them for something.
----Snakeskin makes a pretty belt.

[Bobby269]

I use Provida Care here in San Antonio Texas. They are the same here. I was given a S9 autoset on thier own. They return calls promptly.