My DME is a big weeny. Shall I shaft him?

fredpb · Post by **fredpb** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:13 pm

Well, my DME was very uncooperative and just does not respond to me now. I am really sick of it.

I tallied my costs in machines and mask roulette. He just dumped a machine on me, a Respironics M Series Plus Cflex.

I told him before I got it I did not want that one. He brought it anyway. I was excited about starting therapy and it's benefits, so I took it. I am on Medicare, so the machine really cost me nothing.

But the mask he gave me was not for me. And I wanted a better machine.

I bought masks and Respironics M Series Auto Aflex OOP. He also is not providing the supplies I request and am entitled too under Medicare. It is all adding up.

But I am now quite happy with my new machine and working masks.

My stats with the Auto are great! I just LOVE this machine!

But should I shaft the turd? Return the Plus and stick him with it, and he would get no more medicare payments off of me. Then write Medicare and tell them I get nothing from him anymore, and if he charges them, it is fraud!? I can get my supplies and masks (Medicare) from another DME to spite him.

It would be a "free" backup machine for me though. But I hate the thought of him making money off of me.

What do you think?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:21 pm

I'd not cut off my nose to spite my face. I'd keep the "free" machine. As a backup machine, like you said.

fredpb wrote:I can get my supplies and masks (Medicare) from another DME to spite him.

THAT's the way to go. Yep.

fredpb · Post by **fredpb** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:32 pm

rested gal wrote:I'd not cut off my nose to spite my face. I'd keep the "free" machine. As a backup machine, like you said.

fredpb wrote:I can get my supplies and masks (Medicare) from another DME to spite him.
THAT's the way to go. Yep.

There is wisdom in your words! I have considered that, but I really would like to $&*(# the $^(#&.

I will probably keep it

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:55 am

fredpb wrote:There is wisdom in your words! I have considered that, but I really would like to $&*(# the $^(#&.

I will probably keep it

Dunno about wisdom in any of my words, but I can sure understand and sympathize with the feeling behind your "$&*(# the $^(#& " words. LOL!!!

I'd add... "and the horse he rode in on."

sleepie · Post by **sleepie** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:34 am

in the future---buy all of your supplies from THE OTHER GUY----no more for him--just my way of saying thanks to my dme----pat

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:53 am

No! No!, RestedGal. NOT the HORSE!!!! Oh, please, not the horse!

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:13 pm

Seems if you have a backup machine paid for, that's a plus (pun intended). My only question on that is, are you going to have to prove compliance on that machine for Medicare to pay rental or is it a purchase? Just a thought.

As far as revenge, make it easy on yourself. Get your supplies from wherever is beneficial to you either by convenience or cost. If that means this guy, then it's not for him but for you. Someone's gonna make a profit off you, just do it on your terms.

Kathy

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:26 pm

I wouldn't waste time on revenge. It's never as sweet as you'd like.

As some might say, "Let the universe take care of it."

Use your free machine as a backup, move on, and let the $&*(# the $^(#& $&*(# the $^(#& (to use your colorful "words").

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:53 pm

fredpb wrote: But the mask he gave me was not for me. And I wanted a better machine.

I bought masks and Respironics M Series Auto Aflex OOP. He also is not providing the supplies I request and am entitled too under Medicare. It is all adding up.

I would always want to have a backup machine. I'd keep the Plus as a backup. You can use it when you travel and keep your good machine at home, not getting smoke or other fumes when you travel.

However, it sounds like they are not providing you with masks or supplies. If this is the case, I'd switch as soon as you are able. I think you have to wait until the 13 months is up to get the supplies elsewhere in any case. You are entitled to get these supplies through your insurance. But I'd get them from billmyinsurance.com. They will give you the masks you want and the supplies you need without a hassle.

Ody · Post by **Ody** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:24 pm

[quote="fredpb"]
I bought masks and Respironics M Series Auto Aflex OOP. He also is not providing the supplies I request and am entitled too under Medicare. It is all adding up.

What do you think?
quote]

I would create a face to face with the DME and let them know your intend to get Medicare involved it they don't provide the necessary equipment. Watch your EOBs and see if they are billing your account and how much. Keep all the EOBs for reference. Continue to seek help here as this site is a gold mine of helpful people.

I am on Medicare too and if I had not monitored this site for months I would be using a RESMED S8 Compact (non data capable) instead of the Respironics M Series BIPAP Auto I enjoy. The BIPAP Auto is expensive but Medicare paid for it. Knowing how to get it is the secret. And all the info is here on this web site. I told My Sleep Doctor what I wanted and his response was "I will give you anything you want". And he did. He wrote the script for my equipment and my DME who works closely with the Doctor didn't balk at all. I wish your experience had been the same.

Keep us informed of your progress and don't give an inch.

fredpb · Post by **fredpb** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:37 pm

I assume I get paperwork in the mail from Medicare telling me what the DME is charging me or charging medicare?

admiralross · Post by **admiralross** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:38 pm

fredpb wrote:I assume I get paperwork in the mail from Medicare telling me what the DME is charging me or charging medicare?

I don't know if anyone here knows there is a Medicare site. http://my.medicare.gov. You can look up your medicare account right from there. I use it all the time.

fredpb · Post by **fredpb** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:20 pm

Thanks "Admiral"! I got on the site and it showed DME bills. I have not received any paperwork, but it showed that my DME has billed medicare $284 twice. My copay, according to the site, is $55. If I don't get billed for the copay, I will keep the machine. If I do, it goes back.

admiralross · Post by **admiralross** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:35 pm

fredpb wrote:Thanks "Admiral"! I got on the site and it showed DME bills. I have not received any paperwork, but it showed that my DME has billed medicare $284 twice. My copay, according to the site, is $55. If I don't get billed for the copay, I will keep the machine. If I do, it goes back.

You can print off claims and reports. Make sure that you carefully check your claim codes. They are either on the top of the page or at the bottom. They just recently added printing abilities to the site. BTW, your welcome...

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:48 pm

Slinky wrote:No! No!, RestedGal. NOT the HORSE!!!! Oh, please, not the horse!

You're right, Slinky. Not the horse. Not the horse's fault. It's that horse's#$% of a DME's fault.

My DME is a big weeny. Shall I shaft him?

My DME is a big weeny. Shall I shaft him?

Return or keep machine

Re: My DME is a big weeny. Shall I shaft him?

Re: My DME is a big weeny. Shall I shaft him?

Mask

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Mask

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