Apria Refuses to Order TapPap

[Kiralynx]

Well, it's official. Apria will not order a TapPap for me.

Apria couldn't find a product number for it, but the lady I spoke with went ahead and put the order in.

I then spoke to Airway Management, and got the product number (Product # PAP-NP1-000) in advance.

Today, just as I'm trying to get out the door for another appointment, Apria calls. Gosh. They can't find the product number.

I gave it to them. Along with the phone number and name of my contact.

I just get the hounds loaded (car is hot) and Apria calls again to tell me that "they just can't order it for me."

They promised to send me the name of the nearest DME which does carry it, and have not done so. Probably didn't write the email down.

Fellow kept trying to get me to make a mask fitting appointment for a different mask.

What part of "I've told you which mask I want" is unclear to these dim-bulbs?

What part of "It's been five years and you haven't gotten an order correct yet" is unclear to them?

<sigh>

[ems]

The DME I've used for the past two years couldn't/wouldn't get one for me either. I've since decided not to buy one... concerned about gag reflex, among other things.

[oak]

since you are a veteran member, i am sure you have probably checked into getting one from an online supplier and submitting to your insurance yourself, but just thought i would mention it. sorry you are getting the runaround.

[chunkyfrog]

The local Apria says they can order me a Wisp, but with only ONE cushion.
---"they ORDER it that way" Yeah, right!
Edit: I just got off the line with Jim's Drug (Mom&Pop outfit),
who assured me their Wisp masks do indeed come with all 3 cushions.
edit: I went with Apria, and not only did my Wisp come with 3 cushions,
she opened the package in front of me and swapped the ones I couldn't use for my size! NICE!

[Janknitz]

They won all those competitive bid contracts, probably on a limited formulary of masks. It's just easier for them to order what they provide in bulk, so even if you're not Medicare you probably can't get those masks anymore--too much effort for them. I bet if you ask for their formulary you'll be told it's "proprietary".

Kaiser's deal with Crapria is a limited formulary and they will tell you if something you ask for is NOT on it, but will not share the formulary.

[Kiralynx]

since you are a veteran member, i am sure you have probably checked into getting one from an online supplier and submitting to your insurance yourself, but just thought i would mention it. sorry you are getting the runaround.

Actually, I have already purchased a Tap Pap and like it very much.

The problem is figuring out how to submit the bill to the insurance -- they give me a zillion run-arounds on submissions. I pretty well decided I had better things to do than fill out a form, send it off, have it rejected, fill out a form, send it off, have it rejected, and wash, rinse, repeat!

[Kiralynx]

They won all those competitive bid contracts, probably on a limited formulary of masks. It's just easier for them to order what they provide in bulk, so even if you're not Medicare you probably can't get those masks anymore--too much effort for them. I bet if you ask for their formulary you'll be told it's "proprietary".

Kaiser's deal with Crapria is a limited formulary and they will tell you if something you ask for is NOT on it, but will not share the formulary.

I don't doubt it.... the guy kept trying to persuade me to come in for a mask fitting (which they would, of course, bill as a service to my insurance, even though they have no place for me to test the mask lying down, or with pressure). I asked what masks they had that didn't have straps across the face, and he had no answer.

The irritating thing is... I supplied all the information they needed to order it. But they can't be bothered.

[Kiralynx]

The local Apria says they can order me a Wisp, but with only ONE cushion.
---"they ORDER it that way" Yeah, right!
Edit: I just got off the line with Jim's Drug (Mom&Pop outfit),
who assured me their Wisp masks do indeed come with all 3 cushions.

Sounds like Apria!

[JohnO]

I just get the hounds loaded (car is hot) and Apria calls again to tell me that "they just can't order it for me.

My Brick & Mortar DME doesn't have the Aloha or the TapPap. They do have the Wisp, but what I think it shows is that they really limit what they will order/stock. I'm resolved to taking something that they have that I find acceptable (like Swift FX) or take a mask that I can then sell or trade for what I want to try.

With my Co-pay, getting a mask from my Brick & Mortar DME is not much cheaper than buying it out of pocket using FSA dollars from our hosts at CPAP.com.

John

[chunkyfrog]

"With my Co-pay, getting a mask from my Brick & Mortar DME is not much cheaper than buying it
out of pocket using FSA dollars from our hosts at CPAP.com."

Counting my deductible, it has been way cheaper--for the last 2 years, which is why they have been my ONLY provider. too.

It's nice to have the alternative in case the local medicare providers are reluctant to supply something new that I MUST have.

[Kiralynx]

My Brick & Mortar DME doesn't have the Aloha or the TapPap. They do have the Wisp, but what I think it shows is that they really limit what they will order/stock. I'm resolved to taking something that they have that I find acceptable (like Swift FX) or take a mask that I can then sell or trade for what I want to try.

With my Co-pay, getting a mask from my Brick & Mortar DME is not much cheaper than buying it out of pocket using FSA dollars from our hosts at CPAP.com.

Our insurance doesn't have a co-pay on CPAP supplies, but we also don't have FSA dollars.

http://tinyurl.com/lug3a5j shows the masks Apria wants to push. Nasal Pillow Masks I've tried include Opus 360, Swift FX for Her. I don't see any point in trying Swift LT or GoLife. They have the same problems as the the Opus 360 and the Swift FX: painful, cutting straps across my face. (Even Karen's Pad-a-Cheeks did not help.) And the Swift FX was absolutely hideous, mashing into my septum, cutting across my cheek bones. It also did not give adequate therapy, because my full body pain returned... but disappeared when I went back to the Headrest.

[Mask Guy]

Hi,

I saw this and thought that I would again mention that all Lincare branches with have the TAP PAP or can order it in, as it is in their system. So try them if you can, they have locations in most cities. There are also othe DMEs that have it, but many are only in certain location, so it is more difficult to refer you to them.

And if you haven't already please give feed back on the new version of the TAP PAP on CPAPcom if you purchased one through them in the last 2-3 months.

Thanks
Mask Guy

[Kiralynx]

Hi,

I saw this and thought that I would again mention that all Lincare branches with have the TAP PAP or can order it in, as it is in their system. So try them if you can, they have locations in most cities. There are also othe DMEs that have it, but many are only in certain location, so it is more difficult to refer you to them.

And if you haven't already please give feed back on the new version of the TAP PAP on CPAP.com if you purchased one through them in the last 2-3 months.

OK, I will verify if my insurance is willing to let me order from Lincare. The last time I looked into it, my insurance claimed I had to have a doctor's prescription in order to change DMEs. OF course, my insurance has changed since then.

I purchased a Tap Pap from CPAP.COM back in April, and it apparently has the old style mouthpiece. I have not needed any other supplies at the present time, and so, getting the mouth piece would cost me $7.00 shipping, which raises the cost of the mouthpiece significantly, even though I should (theoretically) get the upgrade price.

I'd like to give feed back on the new mouthpiece, but have had some other expenses, so can't get it just now.

I do like the TAP PAP, old mouthpiece notwithstanding.

[Kiralynx]

Hi,

I saw this and thought that I would again mention that all Lincare branches with have the TAP PAP or can order it in, as it is in their system. So try them if you can, they have locations in most cities. There are also othe DMEs that have it, but many are only in certain location, so it is more difficult to refer you to them.

And if you haven't already please give feed back on the new version of the TAP PAP on CPAPcom if you purchased one through them in the last 2-3 months.

Thanks
Mask Guy

Well, I've found another in-network DME. Access Respiratory Homecare. Located at 4031 Veterans Hwy, Metairie, LA. Now to see if Airway Managment will work with them.

[Mask Guy]

Apria can now supply the TAP PAP nasal pillow mask.

Their code for the TAP PAP is M049438 - CPAP Kit Nasal Pillow TAP.

Each branch can now order it in, when needed/requested.

Hope that helps.

Regards
Mask Guy