Not all DME's are bad or just in it for the money

[Gerryk]

I just saw the bill for my replacement machine and supplies that I got a week before.


Pr system one BiPap auto with humidifier
quattro mask with headgear
one replacement mask cushion
two hoses
two gray sponge filters
two white fine filters





I do feel fortunate that I have the DME that I do have and I feel sorry for those who have had terrible stories.


I can call my DME anytime with a question or send an email. I tell everyone if your not happy with your DME or they don't make you happy go elsewhere.

Gerry

[chunkyfrog]

We may get kicked out of the local apnea group. (sponsored by the DME's)
The speaker last night was spouting such lies, my darling finally had to stand up and correct him.
The guy was listing 'reasons' why Auto machines give poor therapy--citing the slanted study we read about here.
If you will remember, the Autos were set wide open and compared to CPAPs set for a single pressure.
Apples and oranges--and they stomped on the oranges!

[Gerryk]

We know better so we pick up the oranges they stomped on and make orange juice and go find a different DME.

Oh, we do all that with a smile on our faces. I just love to smile at someone and say thank you when they are being mean. It just ruins their being mean. The same goes for a bad DME. Tell them thank you and wish them good luck as you walk out their door and into the door of the nice DME.

[chunkyfrog]

I have yet to find a good one here.
evil people.

[Janknitz]

Gerry, let us know the name of your DME. Good DME's deserve recognition.

[neverbetter]

We like our DME. We got a good one this time. I've gotten free samples in the past from them. It was a long time ago and that guy isn't there anymore (maybe that's why) but we've been treat pretty good. Their not all bad.

[xenablue]

My DME is awesome - I wish they had outlets all over the country!

They've even given me "spare" items which were either demos or just extras lying around - things like tubing (both climateline and regular), mask replacement parts etc. And NO, they don't bill my insurance for these, because my I have to sign the bill/invoice/packing slip for everything they bill insurance for otherwise it won't be accepted and therefore paid.

Of course they're all in it for the money, but some are also very caring and compassionate as most at my DME are also hoseheads.

Cheers,
xena

[DannyPh]

I guess I am one of the Lucky ones as I have a wonderful DME. ( American Home Patient ) and they have Offices all over the U.S. Been using them from the beginning with No Complaints. They are easy to work with and Call to remind me of time to Re Order and see if I need anything. I will see how good they really are in October when My Five years are up and I order a new Cpap Machine ( S9 auto set ).

[chunkyfrog]

Some co-workers of mine go to AHP-MHR, and like them;
but I think they all ended up with bricks, so I guess it depends on where you are.

[howkim]

--citing the slanted study we read about here.

Which study? My Sleep doc is anti-auto, and I'd like to read this study to critique it at my next appointment.

[Gerryk]

Here is my DME which is also a sleep center.
http://sleepmedcenteril.com/?bc=1384807 ... der=google
They are located in Orland park and also several other locations in the Chicago area.

[jenn1270]

My husband and I have different DMEs and mine has been much more attentive. Most will call and "remind" you at 6 months of what products you are due. My husband's didn't call at all. Mine calls every 3 months to check up on me.

As for DMEs and making money, it is one of the few ways to make good money in this health care climate. Insurance reimburses much much more than their costs. I could have gotten my husband's walker off Amazon for 150 dollars more than our insurance paid the DME. It is business though and if that is what the insurance companies will pay, go for it. I know that they keep keep cutting my reimbursements for office visits to the point that many of the primary care physicians in my town are going to a more "Concierge" type practice because they know they will get the up front fee and can use that to subsidize their practice. Yes we doctors make a lot of money, but many come out of school owing over $500K in student loans.

Jenn

[DiverCTHunter]

Some co-workers of mine go to AHP-MHR, and like them;
but I think they all ended up with bricks, so I guess it depends on where you are.

Agreed - they stuck my dad and his widowed girlfriend's husband with bricks, and the girlfriend's husband was an MD who should have known better!

[nanwilson]

The only DME in my area sold me my machine and mask and then completely forgot about me because I don't have insurance to pay for all this stuff. Their loss, as I now buy my supplies from our hosts and an online supplier in Canada, and somehow I manage to pay for it all I have managed to buy another machine, a couple more masks, hoses and filters, all with the dollars the DME thinks I don't have. Moral of the story...NEVER assume

[retrodave15]

Having used one of the big national DME's and and a smaller "local" DME, I will stick to the small local DME. I just get my CPAP supplies from them, but my wife gets much more from them due to some of her health issues. Just some of the "service" we get from them is as follows:
Both of us get our CPAP machines from them, along with the PRS1 modems - when our AHI changed or usage levels dropped - we got a call from them just to make sure everything was OK. They have a program that you can optionally enroll in to help you adjust and get the most from your CPAP therapy.

My wife has portable 02- depending on her need - sometimes she has ordered less than usual. When the tech delivers the 02 to the house they always check to make sure everything is OK and that all the equipment is functioning.

We are getting ready for my wife's spinal fusion, and this week before she goes in, one of their Home Health care workers is coming out to the house to evaluate her for any post surgery needs.

I have never had a billing issue that did not get resolved quickly. We even had one where they had sent out a RT to the house to check my wife's O2 sats. They sent the wrong contractor, who was not in network with my insurance, and I received a rather large bill. When I received the bill and brought it to their attention, after some research, they admitted to their mistake (not doing a precert with my insurance) the and took care of the bill for us.

I know lots of people have issues, but after my experience with Lin**** I was very careful on the next DME that we selected. I am currently happy with our choice and have no desire to change.