Apria and the Headrest Mask

[Gerryk]

I thought we had federal laws banning monopolies like that?

[Scarlet834]

I thought we had federal laws banning monopolies like that?

This is the article I found:
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/United+st ... 0210003939

"Apria Healthcare Group Inc. and Blue Shield of California Blue Shield of California is a not-for-profit health insurance provider headquartered in San Francisco, California. An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Blue Shield of California is an incorporated, wholly owned subsidiary of California Physicians' jointly announced today a long-term primary preferred provider agreement in which Apria will provide home oxygen therapy, respiratory and medical equipment services and products to Blue Shield's members in most of its California markets. The primary preferred provider agreement covers Blue Shield's members who are enrolled in the Commercial Benefit and Medicare Advantage Benefit Programs...
...Over the next few months, Apria will work diligently to make sure that Blue Shield members enjoy a smooth transition to Apria's homecare services and products, when appropriate."

It's possible there is a secondary provider out there somewhere, as I didn't ask that specific question and unlike doctors, there is no published list of DMEs that I can find. The offer of another service did not come up during my phone call with Blue shield. I do know that my original DME is out of it, period.

[Mr Capers]

Hi Kiralynx,

Dalton Trumbo - Hollywood screenwriter, blacklisted after McCarthy hearings. His collected letters were published under the title "Additional Dialogue." Dalton is a terrific correspondent, interesting person, book is well edited, recommended. He writes a really good complaint letter. One that I enjoyed a lot is to the manager of the hotel where he stayed in Rochester while he was going to the Mayo clinic. Never has a coffee carafe been so funny. Since your Apria dialogue was so good, thought you might like to see how another pro puts it.

Regards,
Mr Capers

[Kiralynx]

Dalton Trumbo - Hollywood screenwriter, blacklisted after McCarthy hearings. His collected letters were published under the title "Additional Dialogue." Dalton is a terrific correspondent, interesting person, book is well edited, recommended. He writes a really good complaint letter. One that I enjoyed a lot is to the manager of the hotel where he stayed in Rochester while he was going to the Mayo clinic. Never has a coffee carafe been so funny. Since your Apria dialogue was so good, thought you might like to see how another pro puts it.

Mr Capers,

Always interested in how another writer expresses him or herself. As I said -- I know of Dalton Trumbo. I just haven't had occasion (yet) to read any of his writing.

Since I work part time in a book store (beneficial for THEM: I get my paycheck on Friday; it takes a brief detour through the bank, and I give it back to them on Saturday), I will probably see if I can find a copy of the book you recommend.

[Patrick A]

All I know for sure is that my Sleep Doctor only uses APRIA RIPOFF as a last ditch effort to get equipment for his patients....he said that only if the insurance company will not pay another DME will he send a prescription to "ARO", he said that he has had too much dissatisfaction from his patients with "ARO" when he writes a prescription, and 9 times out of 10 they do not fill the order as written, and then it takes anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to get it filled thru "ARO" he said "My patients could die because of "ARO" and there bad customer service.

[jdm5]

Reviving this thread to provide another data point; I'm a Headrest user with Apria as my DME (through Cigna).

I called Apria on 4/10, was due for a replacement mask. I had been using the Swift LT which I had originally gotten through them. I explained I had switched from the Swift LT to the Headrest and wanted to order a replacement Headrest. The person I spoke with asked where I had gotten the Headrest, and I simply told her from the Internet. No other issues/questions.

She obviously wasn't familiar w/ the Headrest, and I had to provide her the model number (HRML for the record). She indicated it was a special order item from Apria, and it would take a while, 3-4 weeks perhaps. And that was it.

I'm pleased to say that a UPS box arrived today, and the replacement Headrest package is here...sealed, shipped in a solid box. So I'm a happy Apria customer (perhaps a rarity).