My doctor has sent my prescription to multiple DME's

[oklajohn]

As the title indicates, my doctor has sent out my prescription out to more than one DME. While this appears to be a good thing insofar as finding a Cpap Unit faster, it presents a problem. How do I chose a DME if the first one to come up with a unit gets bad reviews on the Internet? And others have good reviews but don't get units as fast? Should I take the first one available or wait for a "good" DME to get one? I am anxious to get a machine, but I want to have good support once I start using it. Interested in what folks on here would do.

[Pugsy]

Did you know that just because you get a machine from one DME that you can always change DMEs down the road if you find that you aren't happy with them for any reason?
You aren't tied to one DME just because you get a machine from them. You can always change.

[zonker]

I am anxious to get a machine, but I want to have good support once I start using it. Interested in what folks on here would do.

well, this may sound cynical on my part, but from what i've gathered over the years of reading this forum is, you aren't going to get a lot of support from your dme no matter who you choose. you'll get much better support right here on the forum.

if it were me, i'd grab the first one available.

[SleepGeek]

Should I take the first one available or wait for a "good" DME to get one? I am anxious to get a machine, but I want to have good support once I start using it. Interested in what folks on here would do.

IF it were me, I think I would take the first available.
Make sure you have a copy of your sleep study and equipment order not only for the cpap but esp. for the mask.
Then - Should you have problems later you can always switch DMEs.

I once got a cpap from Apria and never got any supplies at all from them but I wanted the cpap make & model I wanted and they got it before the other DME could, even after waiting 5 weeks, Apria got it in less than 1 week = problem solved.

[chunkyfrog]

Do not settle for a downgrade.
I hope your doc's rx specifies a quality machine. (See what we use)
Like the others, I would grab the first "GOOD" machine available.
DMEs are not "into" service--none are open nights or weekends.
This forum is.

You did not mention if you are using insurance.
If so, make sure they are in network for your insurance.
If you must pay out of pocket, always consider using cpap.com.

[oklajohn]

I have a copy of the sleep study, but not the prescription. It calls for Auto-CPAP and mask of patient's choice. I am using Medicare and Blue Cross and so far all accept Medicare and are on Blue Cross network list. One DME already told me the are furnishing a Res Med Air Sense 11. That is what I will hold out for. I appreciate these suggestions - good advice! So far I have found DME's not real friendly and slow to respond to my calls. That concerns me also. If I were paying out of pocket, I would probably would already have a machine from CPAP.com.

[loggerhead12]

As long as you get a new-in-box Resmed Autoset from a legit Resmed dealer, it doesn't matter which one you get it from. It's like buying a Ford F150 - the dealership is pretty much irrelevant. You won't have a friendly long-term relationship with the DME.

Don't let them pressure you into a crappy machine, either used or a lower-level useless brick.

[chunkyfrog]

Some offshore knockoffs use similar names and lookalike cases.
Avoid them--and any dealer trying to talk them up.
("Offshore" does not mean Resmed, even though they have plants in Australia
and Singapore.)