DME Respiratory Technican

[bilnap]

Work with your respiratory therapist; I had a VPAP Auto Set 25 machine and I was getting AHI's in the 25 range. They weren't sure if I had CSA and or OSA and my sleep quality was poor.They got me a loaner S9 Auto Elite which can differentiate between OSA and CSA plus many other functions. My AHI's came down to 4.5 and below. Plus the nasal gel mask is much quieter with the slimline tubing. There was a question regarding oxygen saturation; They gave me an oximeter to check oxygen saturation and I am right on now that I have the AHI's under control. I am feeling better. Please, please work with your Respiratory Therapist, that is the most safe way to get the correct therapy.

[pratzert]

Please, please work with your Respiratory Therapist, that is the most safe way to get the correct therapy.

I would have loved to work with a RT when I started CPAP therapy 3 1/2 years ago..

But I have Cigna Insurance who uses Apria as their exclusive DME contractor.

Crapria would not supply me with the machine my Doctor prescribed so I was forced to purchase one on my own from CPAP.Com.

When I contacted Crapria to meet with an RT to go over the set-up, adjustment, disinfection etc of my machine, they refused to send one or even let me meet on in their office because I did not buy my machine from them.

So, other than meeting with my sleep Doc, I have been on my own.

Well... no... let me say that differntly... I am not doing it alone... I have had all the great people here on the forum as my knowledge base who also offer a ton of encouragement and support.

[Slinky]

Yep, not all local DME providers are created equal, nor all local DME providers' RRTs created equal. As a matter of fact, not all RRTs are created equal.

As a matter of fact, experiences such as Pratzert's are so common that they are the rule rather than the exception in these apnea support forums.

[pratzert]

Yep, not all local DME providers are created equal, nor all local DME providers' RRTs created equal. As a matter of fact, not all RRTs are created equal.

As a matter of fact, experiences such as Pratzert's are so common that they are the rule rather than the exception in these apnea support forums.

Sad... but true.


Once again... "THANK GOD" for this forum and the collective experience contained here.

(Thanks to CPAP.COM for hosting this forum too.)

[chunkyfrog]

Wouldn't it be nice if we could get our services separate from our goods?
Buy the machine for the best price (maybe with a tax-free or medicare financed flex fund) and then go to a doctor,
therapist, or whoever IS COMPETENT to care for us medically (not some high-pressure salesperson).
Money left over at the end of the year would get us credit for future overdrafts, and go into a common fund for that purpose.
CPAP shouldn't be treated like hearing aids--although hearing aids shouldn't be treated that way either.
My hearing aid cost roughly TWICE as much as my Elite--at least double than if I could buy it online, programmed according to my prescription.
Most of the unused hearing aids are mass-marketed pieces of junk from two or three companies whose bottom line IS their bottom line--not the patient. Many know the names--they advertise heavily.

[Uncle_Bob]

Work with your respiratory therapist; I had a VPAP Auto Set 25 machine and I was getting AHI's in the 25 range. They weren't sure if I had CSA and or OSA and my sleep quality was poor.They got me a loaner S9 Auto Elite which can differentiate between OSA and CSA plus many other functions. My AHI's came down to 4.5 and below. Plus the nasal gel mask is much quieter with the slimline tubing. There was a question regarding oxygen saturation; They gave me an oximeter to check oxygen saturation and I am right on now that I have the AHI's under control. I am feeling better. Please, please work with your Respiratory Therapist, that is the most safe way to get the correct therapy.

Glad things are working out. RTs are hit and miss. As you stated they were not sure about your apnea, they had no idea. They tried you on an S9, something you could have easily done yourself

I had no time to wait and deal with my Doctor/DME/RT, "lets see how you feel in 3 months" may be safe but i needed to be back at my best ASAP so i could keep my job

I am glad i took charge of my own therapy with the help of the forum members here. It worked, It worked faster and at no time did i feel like i was unsafe

[cflame1]

I rented for awhile from another big name DME... starts with an L.

So their RT worked with me a little... not much. Then I went and bought my machine privately... and I couldn't even pay to have their RT work with me at all. They still wanted to provide my supplies though.

Think twice about that guys. I found a better RT and better DME... for the times that the sleep doc says that the machine needs to be 'serviced' (pressure check)... and to get him a report that he'd actually read... even though I produce the same report that the DME does... he likes to get it from the DME.

[BlackSpinner]

Mine obviously failed anatomy 101 when she stated there was no connection between the eyes and nasal passages.

[trike-mike]

Please, please work with your Respiratory Therapist, that is the most safe way to get the correct therapy.

I would have loved to work with a RT when I started CPAP therapy 3 1/2 years ago..

But I have Cigna Insurance who uses Apria as their exclusive DME contractor.

Crapria would not supply me with the machine my Doctor prescribed so I was forced to purchase one on my own from CPAP.Com.

When I contacted Crapria to meet with an RT to go over the set-up, adjustment, disinfection etc of my machine, they refused to send one or even let me meet on in their office because I did not buy my machine from them.

So, other than meeting with my sleep Doc, I have been on my own.

Well... no... let me say that differntly... I am not doing it alone... I have had all the great people here on the forum as my knowledge base who also offer a ton of encouragement and support.

I am in the same boat as this and echo the massive appreciation for those that are on this forum. I'd be really flapping in the wind without and I'm starting to get good (I think) therapy.

I find it ironic when one looks at the boards for "professionals" to see them speak of their concern for the patients yet also exhibit an arrogance and a "you wouldn't understand so just shut up" mentality there. I know there are some professionals who contribute as patients here and can only think that if their more gentle and caring views were put forth there, they would get shouted down.

After open enrollment in about 90 days, I'll be shopping for a new set of professionals to help me.

[chunkyfrog]

we have a list of about 6 or so preferred providers here in town; and I'm shopping around.
I found one mom&pop that will actually talk prices with me! I'll give them a try and see where that goes.
Talked to the Apria manager; who apparently doesn't think $400 for a mask is out of line. . .
I don't believe I will be doing business with them at all.

[jonquiljo]

I've got to admit - I never even knew what a DME was until I had to involve CPAP in my life. Between my experiences and ones I've read about here - I have never heard of a sleazier group in health care - the DME's. It seems like a part of medicine run by a bunch of back room slime that wants to abuse the insurance system to get every single dime they can.

I thought the insurance system was corrupt - the DME's are worse. Good luck getting any help out of those people!

[JohnBFisher]

... Good luck getting any help out of those people! ...

It just goes to show you that it all depends. We have several wonderful RTs on the forum who are very helpful. They care about their patients. They try to provide excellent service.

I am also fortunate to have a wonderful DME. And they have gone out of their way to help me. Do they make money? Sure. I don't begrudge them that, since they also provide added value. My RT is very helpful.

But then I *always* "interview" my doctors, sleep labs and DMEs. It eliminates a lot of problems.

[DoriC]

Our RT was a nice young lady who had been an RN for less than 2 years and her only prior job experience was working nights per diem when needed at a local hospital. When we met her she was working for the DME for about 6months with just 2weeks of training by the DME RT manager before she went "solo". She was well trained in rolling her eyes when I refused to accept the M Series Plus and even better at blocking me from seeing her get into the Clinician Menu when we finally received the Auto our Dr prescribed. (I already knew how to do that,ha,ha). I also had to make a "fuss" about getting the mask we wanted. Those early days were a nightmare that we probably would not have survived if we hadn't found this forum and the guidance and support we needed. I wish we could have reported a better experience.