I have a prescription, now what?

[bobmc]

I've been reading Bleeping's DME horror stories, and some of the other ones online, and I'm completely lost on how to find a decent DME in advance.

I have Tricare for insurance, and their in-network DME in my area are (listed by closeness):

Lincare
American Homepatient
Sleepmed
Tycon Medical Systems (local company)
Family Medical Supply
Apria
Medi Home Care (Medical Services of America)
Sentara Home Medical Equipment
Eastern Oxygen & Medical Equipment (local; their website is already giving me the creeps--doesn't show you what machines/masks they deal in, you have to put in your name & number and they'll get back with you).

Any recommendations on using/avoiding a DME? Apria and Lincare don't seem to rate well here (or online, there's several complaint boards on both companies).

Optigen (a subsidiary of Lincare focused at Tricare patients)is also an allowable DME. Optigen has received better comments here than Lincare, I can't find complaint boards about them online.

[Sleeprider]

What is your prescription? Do you have something specific in mind that you want issued?

Best bet is to call around with your prescription in hand and see who will fill it quickly with the equipment you think best fits your needs. So ask what they dispense, for CPAP APAP Rx, can they provide XXXX machine? When can they deliver?

You have your Rx and that alone is empowering. Just calling will give you instant knowledge of who is responsive, and who is evasive.

[archangle]

Welcome and good luck.

There are links to lots of useful articles in the Useful Links in my signature line at the bottom of this post.

[bobmc]

What is your prescription? Do you have something specific in mind that you want issued?

Best bet is to call around with your prescription in hand and see who will fill it quickly with the equipment you think best fits your needs. So ask what they dispense, for CPAP APAP Rx, can they provide XXXX machine? When can they deliver?

You have your Rx and that alone is empowering. Just calling will give you instant knowledge of who is responsive, and who is evasive.

Yes on something specific. Here's what the prescription ended up after some very helpful advice here:

1] ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet for Her with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
2a] Minimum pressure 7 cm H2O 2b] Maximum pressure 15 cm H2O
3] Patient access to Efficacy & Usage Data
4] ClimateLineAir™ Heated Tube
5] Filter
6] Mask of patient's choice.
Dispense as written box checked

------------

Calling around is good advice. It just seems so haphazard, and you're lucky if you get a good DME. I guess if I got the machine from one DME I could switch to another for resupplies if I was unhappy with the first. I'll probably start with Optigen, since they've received good comments from other Tricare members. They list the AirSense 10 on their website, but the straight CPAP, not the AutoSet for Her. Hopefully it won't be an issue getting one through them.

Thanks, Sleep!

[bobmc]

Welcome and good luck.

There are links to lots of useful articles in the Useful Links in my signature line at the bottom of this post.

Yes, archangle! I had plunder...er, visited...your links when drafting my initial prescription. Your article "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU MEET YOUR DME" was very helpful, as were your comments (and others) in helping refine the initial DRAFT.

Getting a CPAP machine is starting to feel like buying a car, though. Definitely not an enjoyable process. I guess I'll just have to jump in...sigh...

Oh, and I liked your chin strap...

[archangle]

Yes, archangle! I had plunder...er, visited...your links when drafting my initial prescription. Your article "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU MEET YOUR DME" was very helpful, as were your comments (and others) in helping refine the initial DRAFT.

Thanks. The "What you need" article is by janknitz, though.

[Sheriff Buford]

There are isolated pockets of good DME's out there. Please forgive me for saying that! I wouldn't worry about searching for a good DME. Just tell them what you want and don't ask questions. If you get your supplies in a reasonable amount of time, then considered yourself fortunate.... for now....

Sheriff

[archangle]

I don't have a good idea what percent of the DME's are "good." However, if even 25% of them are "bad," new patients need to be warned. Bad DME's give bad machines, poor service, poor followup, and keep the patients in the dark. That causes bad therapy, poor results, poor health, and costs lives.

We tend not to hear about the good DME's here.