DME - To good to be true?

[Ogeo]

Hi
I've had my sleep study and have moderate OSA. I also had my titration study and I'm waiting to hear the results. So in the meantime, I decided to go visit a couple DME's. I live in the boondocks, so this requires a 1.5 hr drive one way.

DME 1: (The gal sat at her desk laying back in her chair and never once got up to come talk to me at the counter which was about 10 feet away. No other customers were in the office.)
Me: Do you carry CPAP's?
Her: Why?
Me: I've just recently been diagnosed with OSA.
Her: yes
Me: What brands do you carry?
Her: ResMed
Me: What kind of ResMed? ( I guess I should have asked about models since she answered again...)
Her: ResMed
Me: What models do you have of ResMed?
Her: S9
Me: Is that the AutoSet?
Her: Yes
Me: Do you have a Respiratory Therapist?
Her: I am.
Me: okay, goodbye.

DME 2: ( I walked in and each worker was talking to someone. I wondered around while waiting for assistance and discover where the CPAP's were so was looking at them.)
Him: Can I help you?
Me: Yes, I've been recently diagnoses with OSA and I'm waiting for my titration study so I thought I'd check out some of the local suppliers to see what kind of CPAP's they carry.
Him: He proceeds to tell me about the best one they have - S9 AutoSet with H5i Humidifier. They also use the heated hose and explained why. He also initiated the fact that it didn't matter what kind of CPAP I got because the insurance pays the same for them. He showed me one that was colored pink for women but didn't suggest it because the color chips and it is just silver underneath so it doesn't stay looking nice. They also had one with a BSU cover on it. (Because I asked) He said you can even send in your own picture and have a slip cover made for them. But it hasn't hit it off cause most people have them in their bedroom where no one sees them but them.

We ended up talking about 30 minutes. I found out that they come up to a nearby town where I live about once a week so they will come to the house to set it up or I can do it in their store. I asked if they call us when it is time to get supplies (now I know that they can't do - it's illegal). He was honest and told me that they can't do that and explained why. They do send out a letter every so often where I can list what supplies I need and they can bring them up in their weekly run or mail them to me with no charge for postage. They have two Respiratory Therapist that work there. Oh, what else did we talk about? He knew about this site and suggested I read a book by Dr. Willim Dement. We talked about the mask I used and received from my titration study and gave me one to check out - the AirFit F10.

So my question to you - Which DME would you choose? Is DME 2 to good to be true?

[Julie]

OMG - grab #2 and keep him and never let him go! Clone him and ship clones to everyone else here who's had so much trouble with dealers!

[BleepingBeauty]

OMG - grab #2 and keep him and never let him go! Clone him and ship clones to everyone else here who's had so much trouble with dealers!

I agree 100%! What I wouldn't give...

[teachcsg]

Not to good to be true. There are many small DME's that have very caring RT's. Just like there are good nurses and bad ones and good doctors and bad ones its the same with DME's and RT's. It almost seems like a work place cultural 'thing'. If the DME has a bad/negative workplace culture it seems to attract and/or retain the bad, lazy employees (DME 1 in your example). But if the culture of the business is one of caring and excellence then it seems to attract and retain those types of employees as well. Seems like DME 2 is one of those places and lucky for you they service your area!
Good luck with your therapy!

[john844]

Please post some more details where we might find this DME. I pray they are close enough for me to use them...

Thanks,
John

[CapnLoki]

Although there are a lot of horror stories, it doesn't need to be that way. My local DME showed up with a new PRS1 560 and a selection of masks, and set me up with no fuss. It was only later that I realized this was exactly the machine I needed, and had exactly the features that worked for me. I have to assume that the doctor sends them the Rx's because he gets good feedback from the patients.

I asked if they call us when it is time to get supplies (now I know that they can't do - it's illegal).

What is illegal? My DME auto-calls every three months to "remind" me that I could call for supplies, if I needed any. Certainly a lot less intrusive than Rachel From Card Services who calls several times a week.

[LSAT]

Medicare has a rule that the DMEs are not to call Medicare clients. The clients are to call the DME when they need something.

[Ogeo]

It is not really "illegal" but the DME "could" loose their contract with the insurance. When they called customers to get their supplies, they were sending customers more supplies than they actually used. The guy at DME 2 said he had been to some customers home (in the past) that had drawers and drawers full of supples that were paid uselessly by their insurance. When this happens it can cost us in the long haul by premium increases. They can still initiate contact but they can't say that 3 months has gone by and it is time for another ... The customer has to initiate what products they need.

As to where is this DME... I live in Idaho. Both DME's are well known companies. Only one was in Lewiston, the other ones in my area are across the river in Clarkston WA. One of the ones in Clarkton I won't go to for personal reasons.

[library lady]

Awesome!

[Sheriff Buford]

Ogeo: yes, I'm sorry to say it's too good to be true. You are setting yourself up for a big letdown. I'd pick #2, but be wary... very wary...

Sheriff

[Cowboy Casey]

There is another DME just like that here in Lawton, OK.. they are awesome....

http://kingdommedicalequipment.net/