What do you know about DME charges & mask fitting practices?

[bbmiller]

Hello
I suppose we all have our little different demands to demand with a CPAP mask. Mine is I need to find a full face mask with some built-in chin support or one that let you move your chin quite some without breaking the seal. Consequently I am looking for a new mask since I would have to buy a new mask seal anyway and my mask needs were never met 100%.

The thing of it is if I am to look for a new mask without trying them blindly by ordering on the Internet I think I will have to deal with a DME. In my health plan I have no durable medical equipment coverage nor do I have reasonable cost and coverage for a clinician to fit me with my mask. My health plan office $40 mask fitting by a clinician coverage the same cost they charge to see a doctor specialist as a co-pay. I have already found out there is at least one DME that charges only $25. The thing of it is I found out that some of the DME's in my Denver Colorado area will jack up the price of all mask to Medicare guidelines whether you're not you have Medicare health plan or a plan which covers the same as Medicare. Medicare sets the standards in the USA. Although this is the normal practice of these DME's they say they will work with all situations including self payer. But I feel I need to be for one about their practices to negotiate with them. I was told by a manufacturer of CPAP mask that they have there mask guarantee program which means the DME would be out no money if the patient decide they need a different size than they were fitted with. Can a DME also octane trial masks they have never used before and not be mad at you if you do not purchase them. So what should I expect when dealing with the DME as a self payer. Is it reasonable for me to just use their fitting services and octane the mask on the Internet? Is it reasonable for me to have these DME obtained mask they do not normally carry and just fit me for a fee and call that a Square deal? Please give me some guidelines on how to deal with the DME. I could call every DME in my area but I would prefer to be forewarn first and fully understand the situation I am dealing with. So please tell me what you know or what you think you know about DME and manufacturer practices.

[Janknitz]

Our host, cpap.com, has some tools that you might find useful. They have a calculator that, when you input some measurements, will help you choose a suitable mask. And they have "mask insurance" available on many masks--if you purchase the insurance you can return the mask if it doesn't work out.

Alternatively, you can look on cpapauction.com, E-Bay, or Craigslist for inexpensive masks to try. And on another thread here, there is a mask sharing program starting up.

DME's get free sample masks from the manufacturers. The idea is that they can give them to you to try, and then, hopefully, once you find a good mask you will purchase it from the DME. So some DME's that really do offer fittings may be willing to give you sample masks to try for a few days. I wouldn't hesitate to pay a little more to a DME who is willing to do something like this. You might be able to negotiate as well. "I know that Medicare reimburses this mask for $XXXX, would you be willing to give me the same price instead of twice that you charge?" Make sure any DME you're going to pay more to has a generous mask return policy and take advantage of it if you need to. It doesn't harm the DME, except maybe some extra paperwork.

Instead of offering them to customers, some DME's sell the sample masks on the side, and don't offer you a chance to try on lots of masks. They don't deserve your out of pocket business. But they are probably who you are buying from on Cpapauction.com and EBay.

[bbmiller]

Our host, cpap.com, has some tools that you might find useful. They have a calculator that, when you input some measurements, will help you choose a suitable mask. And they have "mask insurance" available on many masks--if you purchase the insurance you can return the mask if it doesn't work out.

Alternatively, you can look on cpapauction.com, E-Bay, or Craigslist for inexpensive masks to try. And on another thread here, there is a mask sharing program starting up.

I have found the mask insurance you mentioned above, but not the calculator nor the mask sharing program starting up on another thread. Can I have a little more info please?

[Janknitz]

Well, for a minute there, I thought I imagined it, because I could not find it either by searching on CPAP.com's site.

So I googled it (when all else fails . . . )

And I didn't dream it up. It's here: https://www.cpap.com/cpap-mask-sizing.php

Don't know why they make it so hard to find!

Once you have narrowed down the masks you want, go to the manufacturer's website. Most of the manufacturers have fitting templates that you can print out and then cut out to see if they really fit your face.

As for the mask sharing program: viewtopic/t57997/mask-free-loan-program.html

Good luck!

[sleepnationtv]

Hi,

We have started a mask trial program that you may like, it allows you to try a mask for a week to see if you like it.

visit http://www.sleepnation.tv/trialprogram

[bbmiller]

Hi,

We have started a mask trial program that you may like, it allows you to try a mask for a week to see if you like it.

visit http://www.sleepnation.tv/trialprogram

Thanks for starting the trial mask program. I have already sent you an e-mail to sign up.

[GumbyCT]

The sizing tool is a guide. Like anything in life different manufacturers will vary their sizes to keep life interesting.