Inventory issues?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
gtstricky
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Inventory issues?

Post by gtstricky » Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:34 pm

New guy here.... just got my sleep test results and I am a winner! 62.5 index

I was doing some research trying to find a well like DME near me. I called one to get information on the process from them. They told me the procedure and then said once everything clears (DR, insurance, ETC) they will put me on the list. I said... "list?" She said "oh, you haven't heard?". She then educates me on the Phillips recall and inventory issues and says they have over 200 people waiting on a machine. It most likely will be 2-3 months before I got one. Mostly they are giving out AirSense 11.

So my question is... do I start calling every DME and hunting around or is this an issue everywhere?

I am happy to eventually order online but at the start I thought it would be good to stay local while I got all set up.

(in the northeast US if that means anything)
* Any comment or suggestion from me is not medical advice. Please check all information you see here with a medical professional.

AirSense 10
Trying the Bleep DreamPort mask thingy.

Janknitz
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Re: Inventory issues?

Post by Janknitz » Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:33 pm

Doncha love it? "You have severe apnea that is a serious detriment to your health. Now wait 2-3 months to begin treatment." :roll:

Our hosts at cpap.com seem to have them "in stock and ready to ship" so I'm not sure I trust the supply issue argument. My guess is that the costs have risen but the contracts DME's have with insurers still pay the same amount (and balanced billing is largely prohibited) so they may be making people wait it out to January get to a higher reimbursement rate. OR, it might be ResMed, who is more eager to sell to online suppliers at a higher rate than fulfill their existing contracts with DME's.

I think if you are really motivated to get a machine NOW you can. I second looking for other DME's in your area who may have machines available now, you can try cpap.com or other online providers and you can find reliable used ones. You may end up out of pocket. That's a bummer if your deductible has already been met for the year. If you don't get a machine until January you probably have a new deductible to meet anyway, so factor that in to your calculations.
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Janknitz
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Re: Inventory issues?

Post by Janknitz » Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:35 pm

Oh, and just to add, unless you luck upon a really good DME, having that local support isn't worth much. Most DME's are lousy at it. You'll get more help here than anywhere else. And it's not rocket science to set things up, it's really not.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

gtstricky
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Location: USA

Re: Inventory issues?

Post by gtstricky » Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:36 pm

Well shucks. Thanks for the reply.

I was hoping the DME would help with my mask selection at least. I guess it is time to read, and read, and read, and ask then read some more.
* Any comment or suggestion from me is not medical advice. Please check all information you see here with a medical professional.

AirSense 10
Trying the Bleep DreamPort mask thingy.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Inventory issues?

Post by chunkyfrog » Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:46 pm

Everyone should have a "backup" machine, but insurance will only pay on ONE machine.
If it were me, I would order an Airsense 11 Autoset from our forum sponsors.
This would be your primary machine, for the time being.
When the DME's "supply problems" clear up, you can demand the same model--
regardless of how long they make you "wait".
Self paid machines do not count against any insurance.
You will likely need to switch over to the insurance covered machine to
force insurance to "pull their weight"--but all accessories will be interchangeable.
One way or another, you pay for your insurance--they already OWE you.

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zonker
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Re: Inventory issues?

Post by zonker » Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:44 pm

if you are going the "out of pocket" route, you may want to send a private message to forum member lsat. he often has used machines for sale. folks who have dealt with lsat have nothing but good things to say about him.

or if that's not the route you want to take, try second wind cpap here-

https://www.secondwindcpap.com/

good luck!
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
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Janknitz
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Re: Inventory issues?

Post by Janknitz » Fri Oct 22, 2021 4:46 pm

gtstricky wrote:
Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:36 pm
I was hoping the DME would help with my mask selection at least. I guess it is time to read, and read, and read, and ask then read some more.
In these days of Covid, they are not going to let you try on a mask anyway (even though they ALWAYS threw away or gave you the masks you tried on in any case because it was too much work to clean them). But guess what? You can still get your masks and supplies from a DME and get coverage for them, even if you don't buy the machine from them. Sometimes it's a PITA to use a DME (Crapria NEVER got an order for hoses or masks correct for me!), but nice if insurance pays. You can also get many masks from our hosts at cpap.com with return insurance and much less hassle. I rejoiced when I lost DME coverage because I buy parts I need for very little expense on cpap.com or Amazon with NO arguing, and usually less than my insurance co-pays used to be.

Do your research about what type of mask you might want and might work (men have issues with facial hair, for example) and take your RX to any DME that your insurer covers. They may not like to work with you for supplies only (maximum paperwork for minimum profit) but masks aren't affected by the Philips recall and they should have plenty of stock. Call around to DME's covered by your insurance to find the one with the best mask return policy.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

gtstricky
Posts: 9
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Location: USA

Re: Inventory issues?

Post by gtstricky » Fri Oct 22, 2021 7:22 pm

Great ideas and info.... thank you.

Talked to insurance tonight and I have over $3000 left on my deductible so I will be shopping around.
* Any comment or suggestion from me is not medical advice. Please check all information you see here with a medical professional.

AirSense 10
Trying the Bleep DreamPort mask thingy.

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Respirator99
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Re: Inventory issues?

Post by Respirator99 » Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:30 pm

I think the shortages are genuine. I was talking to my supplier a couple of days ago - he said that since the recall he can't get Resmed or F&P machines without a long delay. This is in Australia, where Resmed machines are made, not in the US.

He also speculated that the semiconductor shortage has made matters worse, plus the fact that both Resmed and F&P make higher cost hospital equipment probably means that their manufacturing priorities are not with CPAP at the moment.
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GrumpyHere
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Re: Inventory issues?

Post by GrumpyHere » Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:13 pm

ResMed Lumis Tx - VAuto mode

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Inventory issues?

Post by chunkyfrog » Sat Oct 23, 2021 9:50 am

Shortages are everywhere.
If you need it now, you better already have it.
Just try to do your Christmas shopping for the kiddies with THE LIST.
:lol: :shock: :( :cry:
Santa had better expect worse than beard pulling.
The elf on the shelf may wind up in the garbage disposal!

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Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her