DME

[jenniferwantssleep]

Do I have to accept the fist machine that the DME company offers me? Do I have any choices here with my insurance company? The Respiratory therapist showed up, set the machine down, looked at my face and handed me a mask. He then showed me the instruction manual and advised me to read it. How do I know if this is a good machine for me? I have read enough posts here to know that I am probably going to end up buying several masks out of my own pocket and fit it to myself.

I am overwhelmed by all the information here and, honestly, am so tired after two nights on the CPAP (even more exhausted than usual) I am ready to cry.

Anyone have any down and dirty hints to get me through tonight?

[LSAT]

The machine they gave you is a VERY low end unit. As far as masks go, the DME should give you a 30 day exchange policy. Do you have a choice of DMEs? How was this one chosen? Personally, I would refuse to accept this machine and would clarify that the DME will allow mask exchanges.

[Pugsy]

Sounds like you missed Janknitz's what I should know before I go to the DME.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

and the section on which machines offer full data (you already found out the Sleep Easy doesn't).
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

There is a mask trial program that won't break your wallet. $14 covers postage to you and return..and you can try a mask for a week. Down side is that the supply is limited and popular masks may have a waiting list. You do NOT have to purchase a mask from them to utilize the free mask trial.
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials

More specific ideas on how to actually get you through the night we need to know more specific problem areas. Mask fit? Machine pressure problems? General anxiety? Trouble getting to sleep? Trouble staying asleep?

Oh, BTW....ditto on what I just saw that LSAT posted. They gave you the most basic of el cheapo machines.
I can pretty much guarantee you that whatever problems you are having will already have been faced by any number of people here. Including DMEs who are less than helpful.

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry that you are having problems but there are lots of really nice helpful people here that will offer ideas till your cup runneth over...we just need to have more specific problems to offer those ideas about.

[Pugsy]

Want to see how cheap of a machine...https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/respi ... cflex.html $339 with the discount code.
Yep...that machine can be bought online for $339...and they are making money at that price.....
I bet your DME is charging a whole lot more.

I would be checking with my insurance and see if I could find a DME that sold something besides a basic low end machine.

I didn't even know this machine was still being offered anywhere. I would be taking it back pronto.
You feel awful...how can you have any idea what is going on to explain why you feel awful without seeing the reports to even check for leak rate...much less the other stuff. Prime example of why we need full data machines available.

from the spec page...hours of use only data..to satisfy any insurance requirements.

Data Storage Capacity Display: Compliance VIC; total therapy hours; total blower hours; usage sessions > 4

[RandyJ]

I would try to find out what they are being reimbursed for this machine. Is it a 10 month rental after which you own it? Will your insurance pay them $80 or so a month? Find out from your insurance and then armed with this info return the machine to them and tell them politely but FIRMLY that you want a machine that provides EFFICACY DATA, ie the PR System One Remstar Pro or Auto, or the Resmed S9 Elite or Autoset. If they won't work with you, tell them you'll find a DME that will.

Be sure to read Janknitz's blog (Pugsy gave you the link above) IN FULL.

[jenniferwantssleep]

Thanks for everyone's help. I called my DME after talking to my insurance company. They lied to me about the machine that my insurance will pay for and (since I already had a commitment from another DME for a S9 Autoset.) told me that the SleepEasy was the machine my doctor ordered. Hmmm. I called my doctor. He called my back and was pissed at my current DME provider and told me he had written the Rx for a data efficacy machine.

Following is instructions, I called ExtraCare and called them to come get my machine. They arranged a pick up of Tuesday. I will be picking up my new machine on Tuesday from the new DME.

Now ExtraCare is blowing up my phone, leaving messages, wanting to work something out !! Go figure!

[chunkyfrog]

Good for you!
It's up to you whether or not to keep them 'on the hook' in case of a supply need.
But IMHO, they do not deserve your business.
--or your doctor's continued referrals.

[Pugsy]

Well done....and now the doctor knows they aren't supplying what they are supposed to and likely it will cost them some referrals.. They are getting what they deserve. They got greedy and now it comes back to them. Hell would freeze over before I would ever do business again with someone so blatantly dishonest.

[Janknitz]

Whoo, Hooo!!! Way to go Jennifer!

[ems]

Now ExtraCare is blowing up my phone, leaving messages, wanting to work something out !! Go figure!

Oh... I can figure! I wouldn't go near this place again. If, for some reason they don't pick up your machine, bring it to them and be SURE to get a receipt for it.

If someone actually shows up, ask for a receipt for everything you return -- I wouldn't trust them! Very glad your doctor got involved.

[Janknitz]

Yup, they are probably peeing in their pants because the doctor got involved. They don't care about you, but when a referral source isn't happy . . .

I wonder how long they've been getting away with giving people not just bricks, but OLD bricks???