What Services would you like an Online DME to provide

[sleepnationtv]

Hi everyone,

Just curious to see what features or services the community would like to see in an online cpap supplier. Download help, etc.

Please let me know

[davelikesbeer]

It must take insurance.

Easy automated renewals on masks, filters, hoses, .... My current DME says they cannot do automated renewals. Supposedly, the insurance companies were complaining about it. So now I have to add a calendar entry to call them to say something like "Send me anything I am eligible for". If an online service were not allow to do this, then they should at least be able to send an email reminder to me with a "Click here to see what supplies you are eligible for" link. Then from the landing page have another button that says, "yes, send me this stuff".

Simple mask trials, like cpaplibrary.com, but with a larger variety of masks.

Machine trials would be nice too. Although, I'm not exactly sure how that would work.

[snardo]

Interesting that you would highlight automated renewals. That's something I would take advantage of as well, partially because my DME does this already and I find it very convenient. They give me a call every month to tell me what I'm eligible for and get permission to ship it all or some subset thereof. It's great! Mask trials would be helpful as well.

An online DME should carry a wide range of machines. They should provide an upfront listing of the all of the machines available and their feature sets (like cpap.com). I found it challenging the last time I got a new machine to deal with the DME in that respect. I had to do my own research to figure out what was even available and then request a specific machine and then hope that they could "get it" for me.

[LSAT]

It must take insurance.

Easy automated renewals on masks, filters, hoses, .... My current DME says they cannot do automated renewals. Supposedly, the insurance companies were complaining about it. So now I have to add a calendar entry to call them to say something like "Send me anything I am eligible for". If an online service were not allow to do this, then they should at least be able to send an email reminder to me with a "Click here to see what supplies you are eligible for" link. Then from the landing page have another button that says, "yes, send me this stuff".

Simple mask trials, like cpaplibrary.com, but with a larger variety of masks.

Machine trials would be nice too. Although, I'm not exactly sure how that would work.

Beat me up...but...I personally think that automatic renewals should never be allowed by any insurance company...Medicare already will not allow it. You should order supplies when they are needed...NOT...when you are eligable to receive them. That's one reason why our healthcare costs are so high. DMEs would want everyone to be on automatic renewal...they make their $$$ on supplies.

[Goofproof]

It must take insurance.

Easy automated renewals on masks, filters, hoses, .... My current DME says they cannot do automated renewals. Supposedly, the insurance companies were complaining about it. So now I have to add a calendar entry to call them to say something like "Send me anything I am eligible for". If an online service were not allow to do this, then they should at least be able to send an email reminder to me with a "Click here to see what supplies you are eligible for" link. Then from the landing page have another button that says, "yes, send me this stuff".

Simple mask trials, like cpaplibrary.com, but with a larger variety of masks.

Machine trials would be nice too. Although, I'm not exactly sure how that would work.

Beat me up...but...I personally think that automatic renewals should never be allowed by any insurance company...Medicare already will not allow it. You should order supplies when they are needed...NOT...when you are eligable to receive them. That's one reason why our healthcare costs are so high. DMEs would want everyone to be on automatic renewal...they make their $$$ on supplies.

Exactly, Don't let give the Wolf the keys to the Hen House, down the road you won't have any Chickens left for Sunday Dinner. Mine calls me monthly, when I need nothing I say so, You can almost hear them crying on the other end. It's their job to load up your bill, it's your job to keep costs down for everyone, and true that doesn't seem to be the American way anymore. Jim

[davelikesbeer]

It must take insurance.

Easy automated renewals on masks, filters, hoses, .... My current DME says they cannot do automated renewals. Supposedly, the insurance companies were complaining about it. So now I have to add a calendar entry to call them to say something like "Send me anything I am eligible for". If an online service were not allow to do this, then they should at least be able to send an email reminder to me with a "Click here to see what supplies you are eligible for" link. Then from the landing page have another button that says, "yes, send me this stuff".

Simple mask trials, like cpaplibrary.com, but with a larger variety of masks.

Machine trials would be nice too. Although, I'm not exactly sure how that would work.

Beat me up...but...I personally think that automatic renewals should never be allowed by any insurance company...Medicare already will not allow it. You should order supplies when they are needed...NOT...when you are eligable to receive them. That's one reason why our healthcare costs are so high. DMEs would want everyone to be on automatic renewal...they make their $$$ on supplies.

Exactly, Don't let give the Wolf the keys to the Hen House, down the road you won't have any Chickens left for Sunday Dinner. Mine calls me monthly, when I need nothing I say so, You can almost hear them crying on the other end. It's their job to load up your bill, it's your job to keep costs down for everyone, and true that doesn't seem to be the American way anymore. Jim

Well, it's actually not my job to keep costs down for everyone. My number one concern at the moment is trying to feel better, but I understand your point. However, if I were to lose my job, then health insurance, I really would want to have a stockpile of supplies on hand. Since I've only just started four months ago, I still don't have that stockpile.

None of this would matter if prices were more realistic. It is amazing they can charge $7 for a tiny filter that costs no more than $0.05. Headgear for >$100. ?!?!?!?

Not to mention machines costing $1000 for APAP and $1900 for BiPAP. I really think those prices are way too inflated and do not reflect either the cost of manufacture nor R&D.

On the one hand, if the insurance industry didn't exist and people paid for their own healthcare, I think the prices would be lower for everyone. But on the other hand, the options would be fewer or nonexistent. With the cash cow that is DME, suppliers have an incentive to try to out produce competitors thus giving us more and more options.

[xyz]

> DMEs would want everyone to be on automatic renewal
> they make their $$$ on supplies.

You're way off base. On _capitated_ plans, which are common (e.g., with HMOs), the DME gets paid a _fixed amount_ per month per patient. The way the DME makes a profit is to deny you products and services. No way _those_ DMEs want to sign you up for auto renewal. Every item they deny you is money in their pocket.

> I personally think that automatic renewals should never be allowed by any insurance company

Medicare, in their fiinite wisdom, has declared that you're eligible for a new mask every three months -- whether you're on auto renewal or not. Almost all insurance companies use Medicare's schedule just because it's so common.

Every OSA patient should have at least "one on the shelf" -- that is, a back-up -- of every product that they use.

[LSAT]

davelikesbeer said [/quote]Well, it's actually not my job to keep costs down for everyone. My number one concern at the moment is trying to feel better, but I understand your point. However, if I were to lose my job, then health insurance, I really would want to have a stockpile of supplies on hand. Since I've only just started four months ago, I still don't have that stockpile.

On the one hand, if the insurance industry didn't exist and people paid for their own healthcare, I think the prices would be lower for everyone. But on the other hand, the options would be fewer or nonexistent. With the cash cow that is DME, suppliers have an incentive to try to out produce competitors thus giving us more and more options.[/quote]

Boy...I'll bet you're the first one to complain when your insurance premiums get increased.

[davelikesbeer]

Well, it's actually not my job to keep costs down for everyone. My number one concern at the moment is trying to feel better, but I understand your point. However, if I were to lose my job, then health insurance, I really would want to have a stockpile of supplies on hand. Since I've only just started four months ago, I still don't have that stockpile.

On the one hand, if the insurance industry didn't exist and people paid for their own healthcare, I think the prices would be lower for everyone. But on the other hand, the options would be fewer or nonexistent. With the cash cow that is DME, suppliers have an incentive to try to out produce competitors thus giving us more and more options.

Boy...I'll bet you're the first one to complain when your insurance premiums get increased.

Nope I don't. It is the expected outcome for the system we have in place. I complain that people are not being forced to pay for their own healthcare. I believe the primary reason for health care inflation is that it has become part of our benefits package for employment. Some time ago, it was decided that employers could provide health care for employees and this would be a win/win for both. Employers could deduct this cost from their taxes, and employees would get a tax free benefit. However, this system does not encourage anyone to save money. It actually does the opposite. It is a terrible system.

However, if health care were 100% tax deductible and became the responsibility of the employee, then he/she would have an incentive to shop around for the best deal. Medical care professionals would have an incentive to be more efficient. Healthcare would be cheaper.

But sadly, this too would have consequences. As I mentioned in my previous post, this may result in fewer options for us, not more.

I tried to save the insurance company some money by attempting to do one fewer sleep studies than needed (only the titration), but they said, I was required to do a diagnostic study otherwise they would not pay for my therapy. As a result of scheduling, it added additional months before I could get a XPAP machine. It is obvious they don't care about my health and evidently they don't care so much about saving money.

When it comes to my health I care the most and now I will do as I see fit, insurance company be damned. Just last week, my sleep doctor recommended that I change to BiPAP. I balked at the idea because my insurance company just purchased my APAP four months ago. After mulling it over a bit, I decided to allow them to buy the BiPAP for me.

If the insurance company wanted to save money, they would have machines they could own the machines and just let you use them. They could fund development of new cheaper machines and supplies (maybe HMOs do this?)

My insurance company doesn't seem to do this. The way they attempt to save money is by denying claims and making price agreements with providers.

[LSAT]

davelikesbeer.......I must say that I do agree with much of what you said.

[chunkyfrog]

Here I go again: 3D mask fit database.
The patient knows in advance which masks are most likely to fit the best.

[GumbyCT]

Just curious to see what features or services the community would like to see in an online cpap supplier.

A Forum.

[idamtnboy]

Beat me up...but...I personally think that automatic renewals should never be allowed by any insurance company...Medicare already will not allow it. You should order supplies when they are needed...NOT...when you are eligable to receive them. That's one reason why our healthcare costs are so high. DMEs would want everyone to be on automatic renewal...they make their $$$ on supplies.

Automatic renewals, no. Automatic reminders, yes. My DME calls me to say it's time to send me such & such, and allows me to say no with no hassle at all. I like it that way.

[ems]

In response to the thread title... or any DME...

How about just being honest for starters!

[debra.ibioserv]

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