I want a new DME

[SnoozyQ]

What's the best route--call the insurance company and find out which companies they cover or calling a DME I want to use and see if my insurance is accepted?
I need easier accessibility and options--online support would be great, ie: customer support, equipment requests,etc.

The one I have now couldn't be more unorganized or less helpful. And the RT sucks!

[cflame1]

talk to your insurance first.

[carbonman]

..yea know....dealing w/the medical industry today
seems much like dealing w/a fly-by-night used car dealer.

A co-worker just started cpap. The DME the sleep lab sent
her to wanted her to pay more than MSRP for an S9.
I suggested she call another DME. The price came down to half that.
....so, she called another DME. She ended up paying $180.00
for all her equipment.

I would suggest you call every DME in your area.
Play one off the other and see what you can get.
You know...."if I give you my business, what can you do for me?"

.....all they can do is say no.

[Slinky]

FIRST, call your insurance and ask what local DME CPAP providers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than just this current, unsatisfacotry one as that gives you considerably more bargaining/negotiating room. THEN try CarbonMan's suggestions w/your options.

[Janknitz]

When you call your insurance company, you need to know what to ask.

I have a list of questions on my blog here http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/. Be sure you understand how and what YOUR insurance pays for before calling around to DME's because they are often less than truthful when telling you what the insurance will or will not cover and how.

If you've had your equipment for some time, you may be stuck with your machine and the DME for that, and then it's only a matter of getting supplies. Be sure to compare your out of pocket costs for the insurance to pay (deductibles and co-pays) with how much it would cost you to pay out of yur own pocket online.

If possible, try to find a small, locally owned DME who will work you to make your treatment successful. They are getting fewer and farther between these days, and it may be hard to find anybody to work with you if they are not making a profit from your machine.

If you have Medicare, be sure you're not in one of the areas affected by the new Medicare competitive billing policy change before switching as you might find yourself right back with your current DME under that plan. See http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11307.pdf.

[Bons]

Check with your insurance company. I'm in the process of getting approved to change, and I may be stuck with the original for the machine, but free to switch to a new one for masks and supplies. Then again, since I can honestly tell the insurance company that the DME verified my compliance without ever looking at my pap or smart card, everybody on my insurance may be getting in new DME....

[debbie28]

I am very happy with this online company and they do bill insurance and offer amazing deals but i think it depends on what insurance you have...
htttp://resmedswiftfx.com