Contracted Medicare Suppliers - Do they use the same equip ?

[vic]

Do the companies that are Contracted Medicare Suppliers all use the same type of PAP Equipment ?

Are they providing machines that are of lesser quality or that don't provide the needed compliance recorder ?

A 40% decrease in reimbursement - how do they provide the same quality machines ? Or, were we getting hosed all along?

[Janknitz]

That's my question, too.

And there's a new wrinkle here: the competitive bid winners are getting their orders filled by subcontractors who are paid even less! They were all complaining before--how can they afford to do this now???

My recent Crapria order was filled by a subcontractor, and I can tell you the tank I ordered for my humidifier is not made be Philips Respronics. It's some after market generic, and who knows the quality? The mask was delivered sealed in a Mylar bag like potato chips come in. At least it's really a Quattro.

[BlackSpinner]

Are they providing machines that are of lesser quality or that don't provide the needed compliance recorder ?

A 40% decrease in reimbursement - how do they provide the same quality machines ? Or, were we getting hosed all along?

They will always do compliance data - that is how they get paid and they have always tried to screw you with cheaper machines, they will just try harder and offer zero support.

[LSAT]

I guess I'm lucky...my Medicare Advantage plan does not fall under the competitive bidding program. I stopped in at my local 'mom & pop' DME yesterday and asked to see the Quattro Air Mask. I have been using the Quattro for 4 years with no complaints. The owner pulled out a new Large Quattro Air and explained how to put it on. It felt good in the store. She told me to take it home and try it and if I was not happy to bring it back within 30 days and she would exchange it for a Quattro. I hope it works...it's so much lighter than the Quattro. My question to Quattro Air users....I had been using a Medium Quattro, but the Large Quattro Air felt pretty good the first night that I used it. I guess as long as I sleep 'leakless' it doesn't matter. Any feedback???

[JDS74]

Janknitz,

Philips-Respironics will have a design patent on their equipment.
You might drop them a line and see if they care about this infringement

[chunkyfrog]

Apria is the only local contracted Medicare supplier here, I called them when I couldn't reach my old DME (maybe they died)
The very helpful associate informed me I could get the dishwasher-able humidifier tank and hypoallergenic filters for my S9 Autoset;
and cushions for my Wisp. I will see if they are OEM, or Asian copies.
My area is under the competitive bid program for mail order diabetes test supplies.
The mail order suppliers I've spoken to have extremely limited formularies, including only companies and models no one has ever heard of;
and products that are rated very, VERY poorly. Luckily, I can go to my local pharmacy and get the brands I trust.
If the pattern extends to cpap, it will be equivalent to just shooting a lot of patients in the head--only slower.

[jaybeem]

Go to Medicare.gov/supplier. Enter your Zipcode and click Search. Click Show All Results. Then work down through the View Manufacturers and Models for each supplier. That's the theory, at least.

In my area there is quite a lot of variance in makes and models.