DME, you're fired!

[KirkC]

So, I've decided to change to another DME provider.

Granted, the lady was nice and seemed quite knowledgeable. However, waiting two weeks for the machine to show up sucked. I blew it off at the time because frankly, I was too tired to care.

Then I wanted to get a different mask. Called twice last Wednesday and left a voice mail. No call back, called the main office to be sure she was working and called again, leaving another voice mail on Friday.

So now it is Tuesday afternoon, still no call. I'm pissed and decided to find another provider. What if my issue was a broken machine? Contacted the Doctor office, obtained copies of the prescription and sleep study. They were not aware of any alternate providers in my area.

Did some digging and found two alternate providers, covered under my insurance, more than happy to have my business. One I have to drive to, the other just started servicing my area.

My hangup is how does this work, since I already have a machine on rental?

The one alternate DME I had to drive to said to keep the humidifier, mask and tubing, as they are purchased items and only the machine itself is considered a rental. Then, arrange an appointment at the end of the month to get a new machine through them and call the current DME to come get their machine pronto. (forgot to ask, so how do I get a new mask?)

The other that delivers, wasn't sure as he never had to do this before, but was more than willing to find out for sure and get back to me. He advised waiting till the end of the month, get the new machine and mask, then insist the former DME come pick up the whole ball of wax.

So I called my insurance company. I was told to wait for the end of the month and change providers also. Plus, I was told to insist that they come pick up everything the next day and document the contact in case they try to bill me for the next month.


So my questions are, what pitfalls should I avoid? Have I been given good direction? Seems like something is missing.

[jules]

read the papers you signed at the original DME

[jnk]

If you go through with it even after following jules' suggestion, be completely up-front with both DMEs so that everyone is on-board with the transition date of changing from one to the other. That may save YOU a lot of trouble in the long run. I would try to make the whole thing as low-key and undramatic and unemotional as possible. It isn't personal; it's business. But be sure to read whatever they ask you to sign. You may even want to write a brief simple layman's version of what is taking place on any of their paperwork you sign and make sure you get copies. I've never done exactly what you are doing, so the above is mostly a guess. On the other hand, from what I've read, jules doesn't guess; she knows.

[jules]

jules doesn't guess; she knows.

oops -------- am I going to live this one down?

you can switch DME's if the contract allows it - you might find a lot of headache and hassles and forget getting a new mask until you get the new DME unless you want to order online and pay OOP

and don't count on this guy who said he would check it out being honest with you on what he finds - he might be very well one to rip you off some more

usually changes need to be made within the first 30 days - there can be exceptions but you may also find yourself faced with signing an "AMA" (against medical advice)paper by the first DME and who knows what other manure will be thrown at you

[KirkC]

I'm looking at the paperwork again.

I see nothing regarding equipment return, only warranty good for 1 year.

Any references about contacting the office regarding equipment issues have been scratched out and changed to contacting the RT directly.

There is a grievance procedure outlined. I'm guessing that is one thing they will try to hang me on.

There is a copy of the signed portion of the Rental / Sale Contract. However, no copy of the contract?

Other than that, it's boilerplate stuff. Insurance billing, medicare info (n/a), plan of care, patient rights and responsibilities, privacy stuff and orientation checklist.

[jnk]

jules doesn't guess; she knows.

oops -------- am I going to live this one down?

Hey with some of this stuff, I realize you've wrung more water out of your mittens than I've sailed over. You've read more dirty tricks pulled by DMEs than I could even think of.

So, thanks for expounding, jules.

jeff

[jules]

There is a copy of the signed portion of the Rental / Sale Contract.

well what does it say - how can you get out of the rental contract?

jules has lots of experiences with students having dieing grandparents a few times a semester and having missed the train home and all kinds of wonderful excuses of why I can't get my homework done on time ---- or why I can't show up to class on time etc. ----- oh I don't miss that either (especially the calls from the irate parents when I get to tell them, I can't talk to you)

[KirkC]

There is a copy of the signed portion of the Rental / Sale Contract.

well what does it say - how can you get out of the rental contract?

Nothing, I have no copy of the actual contract. Only a copy of the signed sheet.

[jules]

no fine print unreadable stuff on the back ?

[KirkC]

no fine print unreadable stuff on the back ?

Nope, just a yellow sheet with a heading of "Rental / Sale Contract" my name and address, doctors name, diagnosis, orders, insurance info, equipment info, my signature and the PT signature. No print on the back.

[unadog]

How long ago? You usually have more options for the first 30 days.

[KirkC]

How long ago? You usually have more options for the first 30 days.

Received the setup on February 16th. BTW, the prescription was faxed to the DME on February 2nd.

[jules]

and when did they start the rental? I don't mean when did you get it but when did they process it?

I ran into this myself - they started the rental on the day they got the order and it was a couple weeks before I got the machine and I had expected the rental to start the day I got it - NOPE - it was started the day when I went in and saw the RT

[KirkC]

Well, I never saw an RT until she showed up with the setup. I'm not sure when the rental was officially started, wouldn't surprise me if it was the day the prescription arrived. I remember being told the machine wasn't in stock yet and all they had were used machines, blah, blah, blah.

[jules]

I didn't discover this discrepancy until months later when I got the first bill - and I mean months.