Newbie aghast, bewildered

[napnean]

I've had the SNAP test. Suggested pressure: 4. Now I'm supposed to go straight to Apria, where they will give me the machine they have chosen, Respironics DS460, and a mask which they will recommend to me. A one hour visit, where they will show me how to plug things in and clean them. NO TRYING ON OF MASKS, ever, but I may look at some in person. If I get one that doesn't fit me, I may do ONE SINGLE RETURN, that's all. They expect to do the "titration study" by reading 2 weeks of data, never mind if there are major leaks during that 2 weeks due to ill-fitting masks.....I would like to know if this is right and normal, if I should proceed. Otherwise, what should I do? Thank you all.
AHI: 18.5

[chunkyfrog]

NO! Do not let them push you around.
They work for you; at least they better, if they want your business.
Find out who else is in network, and find someone who treats their clients better than cattle.

[napnean]

Thank you, Chunkyfrog. I forgot to mention that I'm a Medicare patient. Do you know, will there even BE other options with them?

[chunkyfrog]

Depends on where you are. Check the Medicare supplier directory and look for the ones with the green symbol.
Only they can't charge more than the 20% allowed by Medicare.
Fill in your zip code, check CPAP, RADs and related acc's. (top right in the box), and follow directions.
http://www.medicare.gov/Supplier/Includ ... tatus=True
If you read up on machines, you can request a specific model to be listed with DAW on the RX.

[napnean]

Chunkyfrog! Thank you again. Very helpful link. I had a look, and (as usual here in Delaware) most of the ones listed are out of state. But I will investigate all I can.

[ems]

I'm on medicare also and get what I need mailed to me. If I order a particular mask and don't like it, they take it back as long as it's within the 30 day period.

Don't let any DME push you around. As soon as my DME realized that I was somewhat knowledgeable (from this forum) they began dealing with me very differently. Lots of DMEs take medicare. Sometimes they don't advertise that they do because they think they can get more dollars that way. Even if a DME is not listed as a medicare provider, still call... it can't hurt.

[jencat824]

Try very hard to find a DME who is NOT Apria. They are awful to deal with in some parts of the country. I deal with them for my brother-in-law & I wind up calling them at least once a week over billing issues (he is on oxygen), and once a month over delivery issues. They have let him run out of oxygen a couple of times, resulting in ER visits and unnessairy hospital admissions. I've not dealt with them regarding CPAP my brother-in-law is supposed to be on CPAP but is non-compliant. They did however set him up with a machine (a brick) and he refuses to even try to use it, so it sits on his sofa. Anyway, if Apria can treat an oxygen patient like that, how would they treat someone on CPAP? Just sharing my experience with you.

Good luck & hang in there to get what you need,
Jen