How do I choose the best DME for me?

Please help me find a reputable DME for CPAP in North Carolina. While I've been using my CPAP for two years and can't imagine life without it, I'm struggling to find a good Durable Medical Equipment supplier. I've had two in two years! The first had odd billing: items would double or triple in price from month to month. The next wouldn't autoship and ignored the information I provided from my insurance company about which items to order and when. I have BCBS and they'll allow any in-network DME for CPAP equipment in North Carolina. I've spent half a day calling those DMEs listed but few off CPAP equipment and others don't offer the kind I need (ResMed, Amara View). Im ready to pull my hair out! At least I'll get a good nights sleep

Autoship may be convenient for the patient, but it establishes an atmosphere for fraud by the supplier.
I advise against it--Medicare goes even further. Some providers avoid it to steer away suspicion
Have you checked every provider in network for BCBS?
Depending on your out of pocket expense for supplies, you may do as I did.
---Shop at cpap.com. My deductible/copays with BCBS were so high
that I went out of pocket with the forum sponsors.
I saved mucho dinero, avoiding even more aggravation.

Are you covered by insurance? Then call your insurance and see who is in network. NEVER autoship....you will get lots of supplies that are not needed. The DME loves to auto ship, but it is for their benefit, not yours or your insurance company.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 2:49 pm

Autoship may be convenient for the patient, but it establishes an atmosphere for fraud by the supplier.
I advise against it--Medicare goes even further.

Uh oh. I set up autoship with my DME using Medicare. What do you mean about Medicare going even further?

Maybe the rules are different where you live.
Still not a good idea.
How far do you trust the supplier?

clenchingtobreathe wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:52 pm

Uh oh. I set up autoship with my DME using Medicare. What do you mean about Medicare going even further?

Medicare specifically prohibits auto shipping.

Medicare wants the patient to actually request whatever supplies they get and say that the old ones don't work.
This was implemented some time back because DMEs sent out craploads of stuff and abused the system.

Now if your DME wants to call you up and ask you if you want so and so or need so and so at the auto ship intervals ...that's one thing but for them to ship stuff to you without you specifically telling them you want it...big no-no and if they do it...could get them in some hot water with medicare.

I was actually thrilled when I lost my DME coverage because I no longer had to deal with Crapria, which got EVERY order and EVERY bill WRONG. It was such a headache dealing with them. Now I order supplies from our host or from Amazon. Yes, I pay more out of pocket, but no arguing, no frustrating 2 hour long calls to get an $8 billing mistake or shipping mistake fixed. I get what I want, when I want it, the orders are correct, and so are the bills.

If you can afford it--especially considering co-pays and deductibles, go for it. Otherwise find a DME who will fill your orders correctly, promptly, and bill correctly, but don't expect anything more than that.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 4:14 pm

clenchingtobreathe wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:52 pm

Uh oh. I set up autoship with my DME using Medicare. What do you mean about Medicare going even further?

Medicare specifically prohibits auto shipping.

Medicare wants the patient to actually request whatever supplies they get and say that the old ones don't work.
This was implemented some time back because DMEs sent out craploads of stuff and abused the system.

I had no idea. My DME acted like it was pretty routine. I'll have to make some calls because I DON'T want Medicare ripped off....
I'm supposed to get a fresh nasal pillow and filters for my CPAP every 3 months by autoship....

clenchingtobreathe wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 5:36 pm

My DME acted like it was pretty routine.

Well DMEs love auto ship...they will send you anything and everything that is allowed per the replacement schedule whether you need it or not. Cash cow for them.
Most of this stuff will last a lot longer than the medicare replacement schedules allow.
Below is the Medicare replacement schedule. It says 2 nasal pillows per month....I get at least 6 to 8 months out of 1 set of pillows.
YMMV but I am betting you won't need 6 in 3 months.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 5:55 pm

clenchingtobreathe wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 5:36 pm

My DME acted like it was pretty routine.

. It says 2 nasal pillows per month....I get at least 6 to 8 months out of 1 set of pillows.
YMMV but I am betting you won't need 6 in 3 months.

No kidding! The way mine feels right now, I don't think it will even be broken in good for at least a month!

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 4:11 pm

How far do you trust the supplier?

Not much. She didn't even return my call today. If/when she decides to call me back, we'll have to talk about auto shipping again as well as trying on different masks...since she never offered me that opportunity in the first place. After reading here on the forum the good experiences a lot of people have had with their DME's, I realize what poor service I have been given.

clenchingtobreathe wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 5:36 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 4:14 pm

clenchingtobreathe wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:52 pm

Uh oh. I set up autoship with my DME using Medicare. What do you mean about Medicare going even further?

Medicare specifically prohibits auto shipping.

Medicare wants the patient to actually request whatever supplies they get and say that the old ones don't work.
This was implemented some time back because DMEs sent out craploads of stuff and abused the system.

I had no idea. My DME acted like it was pretty routine. I'll have to make some calls because I DON'T want Medicare ripped off....
I'm supposed to get a fresh nasal pillow and filters for my CPAP every 3 months by autoship....

I got a couple *years* out of my first nasal pillow before i decided to change it... Still not sure if it was the pillow or the 'headgear' that was the issue.. I changed that too.

The clinical manual for your machine says to change the filter every six months or as needed. It depends on how dusty your bedroom is.

Change things when needed, not on some arbitrary schedule from your money grubbing DME.