Can you change DME's after a month?

[Judy in CA]

Just wrote a long post and lost it AGAIN
Not going into detail again but fast note
Just had a new BiPAP dropped off at the door
no instructions like last time with new CPAP in CA
It's the Philips Resprironics BiPAP Auto with humidifier.
I have 5 masks on the table thinking he'd check them for me as they all leak

Well no.........he delivers, and you have to call the # and get a step by step walk through for the set up of the machine and questions for the masks.
Not the was it was done in PA for 10 years.
Have the rules changed?
Do the rules vary from State to State?
Do they change from DME to DME

I'm so frustrated and without sleep getting rather grouchy too

Did find a company who'd helped me when we first moved and just called them and they said they would never drop off equip w/o demo and have a therapist on staff who ck's masks and they are 5 min away from my house. Would love to change from the DME I have now to this other company.
Thanks Judy

[cowlypso]

If they just dropped it off today, I would not use it tonight, and call them first thing in the morning telling them to come pick it up because you are going to find a different company that meets your need.

Ideally, you would have refused delivery of the machine. But I think you should have a good chance at returning it tomorrow, especially if you haven't used it.

[Bons]

No excuse for dropping off a pap without giving you some kind of orientation. But as for the masks, there is no way to check out the leaking problem without having you wearing them at the time.... you need to sit down with someone and have them help you fit it at your highest pressure and show you how to deal with the leaks.

[ZeroDigger]

When I was prescribed a bipap, the DME I was using refused to give me the machine I preferred. I took a copy of my prescription to another local company, and explained the situation. I told them that if they'd give me the machine I wanted (it was the same billing code), they'd have a new customer. They took me up on the offer, then called my doctor's office (and the sleep clinic, I think), as well as my about-to-be former DME to make the arrangements.

I think this is called an "end run."

[Judy in CA]

If they just dropped it off today, I would not use it tonight, and call them first thing in the morning telling them to come pick it up because you are going to find a different company that meets your need.

Ideally, you would have refused delivery of the machine. But I think you should have a good chance at returning it tomorrow, especially if you haven't used it.

Just got off the phone with the Resp T and he walked me through the set up and it was really easy actually.
He gave me some tips on the masks and one was missing a part and he's sending it.
He took my other machine so i have to use this one tonight.
Oye...........
I would love to use the company near my house
what to do????????????? esp when so tired.
thanks this was a good tip.
hate to risk not using a cpap tonight as my pressures have gone from 10 to 22 now.

[Judy in CA]

No excuse for dropping off a pap without giving you some kind of orientation. But as for the masks, there is no way to check out the leaking problem without having you wearing them at the time.... you need to sit down with someone and have them help you fit it at your highest pressure and show you how to deal with the leaks.

how do you do this if the company NOW DOES not send tecq's into the field?
I can go back to the doctors office as they have 2 therapists there is guess.
Just seems so inefficient to me

[Judy in CA]

When I was prescribed a bipap, the DME I was using refused to give me the machine I preferred. I took a copy of my prescription to another local company, and explained the situation. I told them that if they'd give me the machine I wanted (it was the same billing code), they'd have a new customer. They took me up on the offer, then called my doctor's office (and the sleep clinic, I think), as well as my about-to-be former DME to make the arrangements.

I think this is called an "end run."

I never got a copy of the perscription. It went straight to this company and I pick it from a list and the one company i want to use was on the list too. Maybe i could try this method but shouldn't use the machine i guess and risk one night ..............this DME uses my Dr also so he wouldn't be new to them.

[Slinky]

If you have insurance and insurance is paying for your equipment .... call your insurance company and ask them what local DME CPAP providers they are contracted with. HOPEFULLY the one you've talked to that is willing to work w/you and that you like is one of their contracted providers!!!

Then just call the sleep lab, tell them you will NOT be using the current DME provider afterall and ask that they give you the necessary equipment order (prescription), etc. to take to this new DME provider you like or that they FAX the necessary information to the new provider whilst you stand right there and make sure that they do so.

Then take the current equipment back to the original DME provider, thank them for the little time they spent w/you and inform them you are returning their equipment because you've found a local DME provider more interested in working w/you. Most likely they will ask that you sign a form that you are refusing treatment. Go ahead and sign it and even include a short statement that you were not satisfied w/the lack of service and would be using a more accomodating local provider if you like. Don't worry about the "refusing treatment" statement as you will be "undergoing treatment" elsewhere.

[Judy in CA]

If you have insurance and insurance is paying for your equipment .... call your insurance company and ask them what local DME CPAP providers they are contracted with. HOPEFULLY the one you've talked to that is willing to work w/you and that you like is one of their contracted providers!!!

Then just call the sleep lab, tell them you will NOT be using the current DME provider afterall and ask that they give you the necessary equipment order (prescription), etc. to take to this new DME provider you like or that they FAX the necessary information to the new provider whilst you stand right there and make sure that they do so.

Then take the current equipment back to the original DME provider, thank them for the little time they spent w/you and inform them you are returning their equipment because you've found a local DME provider more interested in working w/you. Most likely they will ask that you sign a form that you are refusing treatment. Go ahead and sign it and even include a short statement that you were not satisfied w/the lack of service and would be using a more accomodating local provider if you like. Don't worry about the "refusing treatment" statement as you will be "undergoing treatment" elsewhere.

This all makes so much sense to us, with the new tight rules in my zip code in CA we are jumping through all kinds of hoops. I know that my insurance secondary, will accept it's the medicare that i think will be the problem. I'll wait till tomorrow am and see if the new company i want to use will work with me. They are so nice.

Thanks for the advice and i know i should just 'do' it but so tired.........it's been 2 months i've been trying to get supplies and sleep studies etc. I't exhausing on top of the weight gain and no sleep...........
so appreciate your kind firm wording I'm printing this out.

[Slinky]

Most companies accept Medicare and it is the secondary insurances you need to clarify which local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Since you know this new provider you like accepts your secondary insurance and that your secondary insurance covers DME CPAP equipment you should be all right w/the switch. Good luck w/your PAP therapy!!!

[Judy in CA]

Thanks so much for the support.
I just hope medicare agrees with you
appreciate the note
Judy

[Judy in CA]

Because of all your support, I went ahead today and got a switch in place to change DME's
I pray i'm not going to get stuck with paying for this Bipap
Last nite was ok until early morning when mask was blowing hubby and I out of the bed
I was on a thread here and reading a great blog.....wish i could remember who did it but about how to pick a DME
it was by a Jan K.......
Anyway, the RT finally called me back at 2:00 and guess you can't find out much info from my machine listed below except alot of mask leak........Hello............
and pressure was up
Anyway, guess since the bill for BiPap wasn't in system the new provider could go ahead and check to see if she can do it
Please keep your fingers crossed that this was the right thing to do
I just need so sleep to be able to think things out.

[Slinky]

IF you switch providers you return your current PAP and start w/a new PAP from the new provider.

I switched providers too late in the rent to own period to make it economically feasible to return my PAP and start w/a new PAP from the new provider so I continued the rent to own for the PAP w/my original provider but got all of my accessories and supplies from my new provider. Once I completed the rent to own for the PAP I informed my original provider I would no longer be doing any business w/them and why.

[Judy in CA]

IF I understand you correctly, I can just return this one i got yesterday and discontinue with them and the new company will send me one? Sorry just too tired and brain fogged to be more verbal.
thanks for the comments.
Medicare pays for the rental anyway right?
Judy

[Slinky]

You are correct. They probably will have you sign a form stating you are refusing treatment. Just add a comment such as "from this supplier" or "switching to a more supportive supplier".