How Much Do You Trust Your DME?

[crossfit]

Oh, something I forgot to add about my DME and why I gave them a high rating. I told them about the papcap and they had never heard of it. She exclaimed, "tell me more. I have been looking for something like that for patients for ages". I sorta think she must not have been looking that hard if I found it within two weeks of getting diagnosed but she was sincere in wanting to know more about it.

[sharon1965]

i voted "less than a used car salesman"

my regular RT was away from work more than she was there last year due to family health problems and a car accident; she doesn't go out of her way or even do the bare minimum to support me, but she's ok in general...however, the moron they saddled me with in her absence gave me a runaround no matter what i asked for and twice outright lied right to my face

[GumbyCT]

Where is... I hope I never see them again
th

Right under - "If you run into My DME - do it with a tank".

I should be happy with them - in 2 different mask orders - they gave me 3 wrong masks, ha, how could you not love em.

[Bobshouse]

Car sales man would be, lets say, 24 selections higher than a dme provider.

[LSAT]

Car sales man would be, lets say, 24 selections higher than a dme provider.

Bob...No problem but you should know that you are responding to a 6 year old post.

[BlackSpinner]

Car sales man would be, lets say, 24 selections higher than a dme provider.

Bob...No problem but you should know that you are responding to a 6 year old post.

But sadly - little has changed.

[JohnO]

But sadly - little has changed.

The shame of it is -- when people go to a "classic" used car salesman, they usually have their guard up. They might even -expect- to have to deal with someone who does not have their best intentions at heart. One of the issues in this situation is that people often show up at a DME for the first time with very little clue why they are there, or what this diagnosis means, or with no clue about what possible options are available. Also, people are vulnerable at this time, and they expect anyone related to healthcare to have their best interests in mind. Unfortunately, the DME sees it as a business opportunity. One in which they feel they had to jump through many hoops to get the referrals from the local health care providers. I believe that many don't understand that a fully data capable CPAP or Auto-CPAP is really more useful than just adding leather seats or a sunroof to a car.

So, yeah, a new sleep apnea patient going to a new DME is really like a little lost child knocking on the neighbors door looking for help, and not realizing that that neighbor may not have their best interests at heart.


John

[Goofproof]

More than the Federal Government, But then again that doesn't pin it down a hole lot! Less just say the DME isn't in the position to do as much damage, I can fire a bad DME! Jim

[jbloodwo]

Well as of 1 jan 2014 it looks like I no longer have a DME. Well at least in network. The DME I had is not listed under my covered California plan. So I get to pick a new DME.
And as for the last DME no trust at all

[Jeannh]

Car sales man would be, lets say, 24 selections higher than a dme provider.

This has been my experience. If they were just useless, I could deal with it, but they actively work against you. So sad.

[LinkC]

Well as of 1 jan 2014 it looks like I no longer have a DME.

I had an online DME offer to waive copay if I'd switch to them. I didn't, but when I mentioned it to my local DME they said, "Sure, we can match that." Apparently it's not uncommon.

It's well worth bringing up when you talk to new ones. Worst they can say is No...

[Wulfman...]

I added another vote for the "Better than most businesses" because my DME is CPAP(dot)COM......and while they don't deal in walkers, oxygen, wheel chairs, etc. (like the storefront DME's), for what I needed (CPAP equipment), they are the very best.

Had I purchased my equipment locally, my insurance provider and I would have paid about 3 times the price that we paid to CPAP(dot)COM and would have gotten "lesser" equipment.

I don't begrudge the local DMEs for making a LITTLE more profit because they do have a lot of overhead and many other types of equipment that they cover.....BUT, stupidity and spewing false information to their customers is uncalled for.

The local DMEs that I have spoken with over the last year SEEMED to be fairly knowledgeable in what brief conversations I had with them......but I'm not casting a vote for THEM.

Den

I haven't changed my mind since this poll originally started. I've never used a local, brick & mortar DME.

And, I see some things just DON'T change.


Den

.

[Bobshouse]

Car sales man would be, lets say, 24 selections higher than a dme provider.

Bob...No problem but you should know that you are responding to a 6 year old post.

Well, shoot, should of known...thought Gumby looked a little young in that pic.

[chunkyfrog]

I'm on hold with Apria--I had hoped for the best; today I'm at the mercy of the office dunderhead.
Luckily my Part B will cover transactions elsewhere.